Which Coffee Beans Are the Best?
The type of beans that you select will make the difference when is making a great cup. Each has a distinct flavor that pairs well with many drinks and food recipes.
Panama is the leading country in the world of rare Geisha beans. These beans are highly assessed in cupping tests and are also very expensive at auction. However, Ethiopia particularly Yirgacheffe beans is close behind.
1. Geisha Beans from Panama
If you're looking to find the top coffee beans available, look no further than Geisha beans from Panama. Geisha beans are prized for their unique aroma and flavor. These rare beans, harvested at high altitudes undergo an unique process which gives them their unique flavor. The result is a cup that's rich, smooth, and full of flavor.
Geisha coffee is native to Ethiopia but was introduced in Panama for the first time in 1963. Geisha coffee has been known to win contests due to its distinctive taste and flavor. Geisha beans are also expensive because of the labor required to grow them. The Geisha coffee plant is more difficult to grow than other coffee plants, because it requires higher elevations and unique climate conditions.
Geisha beans are also very delicate and should be handled with care. They need to be carefully separated and meticulously prepared prior to roasting. They can become acidic or bitter if they are not prepared properly.
The beans are cultivated at the Janson Coffee Farm, which is located in Volcan, Panama. The farm is focused on quality production and is dedicated to preserving the environment. They utilize solar panels to provide energy, repurpose water and waste materials and employ enzyme microbes to improve soil. They also reforest the area and utilize recycled water to wash. The coffee they produce is a Washed Geisha and was awarded the highest score at a Panama Coffee Competition.
2. Ethiopian Coffee
Ethiopia is a coffee giant with a long track record of producing some of the finest coffees. Ethiopia is the fifth largest producer of coffee in the world. Their beans are highly valued for their unique fruity, floral flavor profiles. Unlike many other beans, Ethiopians taste their best when they are roast to a medium-low temperature. This allows the delicate floral notes to remain while also highlighting their citrusy and fruity flavors.
While coffee beans for sale are renowned for their sour, citric acidity, coffees from other regions like Yirgacheffe and Harar are also thought to be some of the best in the world. Harar is one of the most popular and oldest varieties of Ethiopian coffee, and it has a distinctive wine and mocha flavor profile. Coffees from the Guji region are also known for their distinct flavors and distinct Terroir.
Natural Process is a different type of Ethiopian coffee that is made by dry-processing, instead of wet processing. Wet-processing involves the washing of coffee beans, which removes some of its fruity and sweet flavor. Natural process Ethiopian coffees were not as popular than their washed counterparts. They were more often used to enhance blends than they were offered on the market for specialty coffees. However, recent technological advances have led to higher-quality natural Ethiopians.
3. Brazilian Coffee
Brazilian Coffee is a rich mix of various types. It is characterized as having an acidity that is low. It has a sweet flavor with the scent of cocoa. The flavors may vary based on the state and region where it is grown. It is also renowned for its nutty and citrus notes. It is a great choice for those who love medium-bodied coffee.
Brazil is the largest coffee exporter and producer in the world. Brazil produces more than 30 percent of the world's total coffee beans. It is a significant agricultural industry, and Brazil's economy is heavily dependent on it. Brazil has a climate ideal for coffee production, and fourteen major areas for coffee production.
The primary beans that are used in Brazilian coffee are Catuai, Mundo Novo, Obata, and Icatu. These are all varieties of Arabica coffee. There are a number hybrids that contain Robusta. Robusta is a kind of coffee bean that is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is not as flavorful and aromatic as Arabica, but it's more easy to cultivate.
It is important to keep in mind that slavery is prevalent in the coffee industry. Slaves are forced in Brazil to long and exhausting working hours, and could be denied adequate housing. The government has taken steps to address this issue through programs that aid coffee farmers pay their debts.
4. Indonesian Coffee
The best Indonesian coffee beans are renowned for their dark, earthy flavor. Volcanic ash in the soil creates a earthy flavor and a robust body. They are ideal to blend with beans from Central America or East Africa which have a higher acidity. They also take well to darker roasting. Indonesian coffees are a bit rustic and nutty in flavor with flavors of leather, wood tobacco, ripe fruit and tobacco.
Java and Sumatra are the two major coffee producing regions in Indonesia but some coffee is also cultivated on Sulawesi and Bali. Many farms in these areas utilize a wet-hulling process. This differs from the washed method of processing which is typical in most of the world, where the cherries of coffee are removed and washed prior to drying. The hulling reduces the amount water that is present in the coffee, which could reduce the impact of rain on the final product.
Mandheling is one of the most well-known and premium varieties in Indonesia. It is from Toraja. It is a full-bodied coffee with hints of candied fruits and intense flavors of chocolate. Other varieties of coffee that hail from this region are Gayo and Lintong. They are often wet hulled and have a strong and smokey taste.