One thing is for sure, what one person deems a great cup of coffee is the same thing that makes other coffee drinkers turn their mugs over. While there is no one great coffee, there certainly is a way to make sure that you are getting the best coffee bean for you. While tastes may vary, there are some things that are common in all great cups of coffee.
The one thing that you are going to have to have in your kitchen if you are going to have a great cup of coffee is a coffee grinder. While there are some very good pre-ground coffees out there, you would be amazed at the difference in flavor if you get the same bean and grind it yourself right before brewing.
You should also be buying the beans in a vacuum sealed bag. If they are not sealed in this manner, the air will continue to break down the bean and over time, its natural flavors will diminish. You should also invest in a foodsaver system so you can reseal the beans after you have opened them up.
For the most part, Arabica coffee beans are the way to go. This is what you will more than likely be drinking at your favorite coffee shop and also at places like Starbucks. If you are drinking coffee at a store that is not known specifically for coffee and often turn your nose up at it, they are probably brewing with Robusta beans.
The reason we suggest that you stay away from the Robusta bean is because it is very bitter tasting. At one time, this was very popular because of the larger amount of caffeine that it holds, but you no longer need to deal with the lack of flavor to get that jolt. There are still some Italian specialty shops that will use this exclusively, but they are few and far between.
Finally, if you have the option of buying from a shop that roasts its own coffee or one that does not, you should always go with the one that does if they both have the same bean that you like. Fresh roasted will have a better flavor as the coffee bean starts to break down as soon as it comes out of the roaster. The closer you can get it from there and sealed, the better the bean will be.
There is no full proof bean that will make everyone happy. As we said, what one person likes, another will not. It may take some trial and error, but keep these tips in mind and you will have a much better chance of finding the perfect bean.
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