Knowledge of coffee beans and coffee varieties is a key part of professional coffee expertise.
By understanding the origin, variety, roast level, and ethics of coffee, you can offer your customers a higher quality and more personalized coffee experience.
In this guide, we discuss these important topics from a professional's perspective.
Coffee Varieties: Arabica vs. Robusta – Differences and Uses
The two main varieties of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta, differ from each other
significantly in both taste and purpose.
Arabica
• Taste: Softer, more nuanced and often fruity or floral.
• Use: Premium coffees and specialty coffees where complex flavors are desired.
• Cultivation: Grows in higher elevations, more sensitive to environmental influences.
• Example: Ethiopian coffees, known for their citrus and floral notes.
Robusta
• Taste: Stronger, earthy and nutty, sometimes slightly bitter.
• Use: Espresso blends and coffees where a strong body flavor is needed.
• Cultivation: Grows at lower elevations, more resistant to heat and pests.
• Example: The spicy and full-bodied profile of Vietnamese Robustas.
Origin:
How does the taste of coffee vary from different countries and farms?
The origin of coffee greatly influences its flavor profile. The region's climate, soil, and
Cultivation methods determine what the coffee smells and tastes like.
Central and South America
• Taste: Balanced, often chocolatey or nutty.
• Example: Colombian coffees are known for their sweetness and medium body.
Africa
• Taste: Fruity, floral and lively.
• Example: Ethiopian coffees with flavors of jasmine, citrus, and berries.
Asia Pacific
• Taste: Spicy, earthy and full-bodied.
• Example: Sumatra is known for its earthy and spicy notes with a low acidity.
Effect of roasting:
The differences between light, medium and dark roast coffee
The degree of roasting has a decisive influence on the taste of coffee and its suitability for different brewing methods.
It is important for a professional to understand how roast level brings out the characteristics of coffee.
Light roast
• Flavor: Highlights the coffee's original flavors, such as fruitiness and acidity.
• Suitable for: Pour-over methods and specialty coffees where you want to emphasize terroir.
Medium roast
• Taste: Balanced, with softer acidity and increased sweetness.
• Suitable for: Filter coffees and a variety of coffee drinks.
Dark roast
• Taste: Roasted, chocolatey and often low in acidity.
• Suitable for: Espresso and milk-based coffees where fullness is important.
Ethics:
Fair trade, organic and sustainable coffees
Ethics and sustainability are increasingly important factors for professionals who want to offer
responsible products for their customers.
Fair trade coffee
• Goal: Improve the living conditions of farmers and support communities.
• Benefit: Customers can trust that farmers will receive fair compensation.
Organic coffee
• Goal: To produce coffee without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
• Benefit: Organic coffee attracts environmentally conscious customers.
Sustainable development
• Goal: To maintain coffee production while respecting the environment and communities.
• Example: Shade-grown coffee that preserves biodiversity.
Fragrance and flavors:
How to identify different coffee flavors.
A professional should be able to recognize the nuances of coffee's aroma and flavor, as they
help you choose the right coffee for different situations.
Fragrances and flavors
• Fruity: Common in light roasted African coffees.
• Chocolatey and nutty: Typical of Central American coffees.
• Spicy and earthy: Often paired with Asian coffees, such as Sumatran.
How are flavors analyzed?
• Acidity: How bright and vibrant is the coffee?
• Sweetness: Is there natural sweetness in the coffee?
• Body fullness: Is the flavor light, medium, or strong?
• Aftertaste: Does the coffee taste pleasantly linger in the mouth?
Summary:
A professional's toolkit for the world of coffee
Knowledge of coffee beans and coffee grades is essential for a professional who wants to offer customers the best possible coffee experience.
By understanding the origin, variety, roast level and ethics of your coffee, you can tailor your offering precisely to your customers' needs and highlight the unique qualities of your coffee.
