Coffee Education
Almost everything you wanted to know about coffee… But didn’t want to ask!
What is Coffee?
Coffee beans are actually the “pits” or seeds of the red berries that grow on the coffee plant. Coffee plants are evergreens that only grow in the tropical regions of the world. The only state in the United States that produces coffee is Hawaii.
There are two major types of beans: Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans are grown at high elevations and are characteristically hard beans with superior flavor and aroma, and a rich taste. Robusta beans are grown at lower elevations and typically have a harsher taste and up to double the caffeine content of the arabicas.
Different strains of coffee beans have their own special characteristics that will vary from country to country and region to region. Roasting will determine whether the bean is used for brewed coffee or espresso.
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that naturally occurs in hundreds of plants, including coffee. The general consensus seems to be that caffeine is good for you in moderation and is bad for you in excess. Arabica beans generally have less caffeine than the robustas; this is one of the reasons people often find that drinking a higher grade of coffee seems to reduce the caffeine side effects.
Did you know that a cup of brewed coffee contains more caffeine than an espresso drink? It’s true! Why? It’s because the extraction process of brewing is slow and the water stays in contact with the coffee for a longer period. Thus, the longer the water contact, the more caffeine that is extracted from the coffee.
Roasts… What’s the difference?
What is Roasting? In its green state, the unroasted bean has an earthy smell and exhibits none of the attractive, aromatic characteristics of the roasted bean. Roasting is the process of transferring heat from the roaster to the coffee beans. During the roasting process, certain flavor oils, waxes and acids are burned off the beans. At the same time, other desirable characteristics are developed which we enjoy in the smell and taste of coffee. This is why you get such different flavor profiles from the same bean when it is subjected to different roasts.
Learn more about roasting coffee and learn the coffee lingo. Learn more about our coffee.
