Finding your favorite type of coffee is not easy at all. Specialized stores selling natural coffee offer a huge number of varieties to choose from. But it is difficult for an inexperienced lover not to get lost in such a variety.
What is the basis of any type of coffee?
It is difficult to name the exact number of coffees. There is a misconception that there are two main varieties of coffee - robusta and arabica. But these are not varieties of coffee, but varieties of coffee trees. Arabica and robusta are two of the most popular types of coffee trees that are grown commercially. A variety of coffee varieties are created from the fruits of these trees.
Arabica gives the drink a unique bright aroma, robusta makes it invigorating due to the high concentration of caffeine. Arabica beans have an oblong shape and a smooth surface. The higher above sea level this coffee tree grows, the more expensive its fruits are. Robusta grains are round and grayish green or light brown in color.
There is also a lesser known type of coffee tree - Liberica. Its beans are of rather poor quality, so they are almost never used to create coffee varieties.
The most famous coffee varieties
Manufacturers often name coffee varieties by country of origin.
Of the grains grown in Africa, the popular varieties are Ethiopia and Kenya. Ethiopia has a delicate floral scent, Kenya has a pronounced citrus hint.
Varieties that appeared in Central and South America: Colombia - with a tinge of prunes and a slight sourness; Costa Rica - with a tart taste and persistent aroma; Brazil - with a slight bitterness and pleasant aroma; Guatemala - tart, rich coffee with a hint of smoke; Nicaragua - with a pleasant aftertaste; Honduras - with a pronounced aroma; Nicaragua Maragodzhip - with the largest grains and unusual taste.
The most famous varieties from Indonesia: Sumatra - coffee with an intense taste with a touch of spice; Java - with a spicy rich taste and low acidity; Sulawesi - with a thick, bright taste and sourness.
Roasting also affects the taste of coffee. When roasted in Vienna, the drink will have a slight bitterness. When French roasted, the coffee will have a bitter creamy taste. The richest drink with a pronounced bitterness will come from Italian roasted beans.
Rare Gourmet Coffees
Australia Skybury is an exotic coffee, delivered from the very edge of the world.
Yemen Matari is a coffee with a rich taste and a chocolate aftertaste. This variety is very rare and prestigious.
Galapagos is a rare high quality coffee that is produced in small quantities on the island of San Cristobal.
Ecuador Vilcabamba is an unusually soft coffee with a unique aroma.
Monsund Malabar - monsoon coffee of the highest quality, has a special taste.
Jamaica Blue Mountain is one of the most expensive and rare varieties in the world.
Kopi Luwak - coffee with a mild, refined taste. This is one of the most expensive exotic varieties.
It is better to buy coffee beans - they are an indicator of the quality of the product. Fresh quality coffee has oily, aromatic whole beans without chipping.
