Coffee: From Harvest to Cup

Coffee is a plant. However, before it can be drunk it must pass through a number of stages and travel thousands of miles.

Coffee beans come from the red cherries of the coffea bush. Each cherry usually contains two seeds, or coffee beans. The exception to this is the Peaberry, where only one bean is produced. The flavour a bean produces is affected by where the coffea bush is grown. Soil, climate and altitude all alter the way coffee tastes; this is why, for example, coffee from Columbia will differ in taste from region to region and from year to year.

Most coffee comes from two species of the coffea bush: Coffea arabica, simply known as ‘arabica'; and Coffea canephora var. robusta, simply known as ‘robusta'. Robusta beans are cheaper to buy then arabica beans because they produce coffee with an inferior flavour, containing more caffeine.

When the red cherries have been harvested from the coffea bush, the outer layers of pulp and skin must be removed to reveal the green coffee beans inside. There are two common methods of doing this: the ‘natural' or dry method, and the ‘washed' or wet method. The natural process of removal tends to give coffee a full-bodied yet mild aroma, whereas the washed process yields strongly aromatic coffee, with a fine body and a lively acidity.

In the washed method the outer pulp is removed using a mechanical pulping machine before the cherry is immersed into a fermentation tank for between 12 to 32 hours, after which the remaining pulp and skin is washed off, revealing the green bean. Finally, the bean is left out in a sunny area for between 12 to 15 days to dry.

In the natural method, the cherry is simply left to dry out in the sun for up to four weeks. During this time the pulp and skin become shrivelled and can then be easily removed.

The coffee beans are then sorted and graded by size and density. Generally the larger the coffee beans the better the coffee. The largest bean is known as ‘Maragogype' or Elephant bean. There is no international grading system for coffee beans, with different countries using alternative systems. For example, in many African countries, the highest grade of coffee is AA, whereas, in Indonesia it is Grade 1.

Green coffee beans must first be roasted before they can be used to make a cup of coffee. The roasting process produces the primary flavour and aroma of coffee. Beans are roasted by a skilled coffee roaster, who judges how long to roast the beans in order to produce the optimum taste. For example, Javanese coffee is usually roasted for a lengthy time to give it a full-bodied and earthy flavour. However, if heat is applied to the beans for too long, it will destroy this flavour and give it a burnt aroma.

The final process before you can enjoy your cup of coffee is grinding. The coffee beans need to be ground ready to infuse, using your preferred brewing method. Different brewing methods require a different coarseness of coffee in order to produce the best possible taste. For example, using a cafetiere you need coarse coffee grounds, whereas when using a stove-top espresso maker you require a much finer grind.

James Grierson is the owner of Galla Coffee: http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk - Uk online retailer of designer coffee accessories. Through the Coffee Knowledge section of his website he aims to help people understand more about coffee and give them tips on how to make great tasting coffee in their home.

http://www.gallacoffee.co.uk

coffee makers a necessary appliance in almost every household

The coffee maker you choose can make all the difference. Nothing starts a day off better than a hot, fresh brewed cup of your favorite coffee and nothing can spoil a day faster than a bad cup of coffee. Coffee makers come in a variety of styles, variety of sizes, and have many different convenience options. This method of making coffee tends to give you a tarry, bitter cup of coffee, but there are many people who prefer their coffee made this way. A percolating coffee maker uses boiling water to brew the coffee grounds to extract the coffee flavor. There are three basic types of coffee makers: percolating, French press, and automatic drip. The French press gives you a stronger, bolder, more aromatic coffee, but you will have grounds that get through the press into your cup. After allowing the grounds to steep or brew for 3 – 6 minutes (depending on taste), the press (basically a mesh filter on a stick) is used to compress the grounds to steep or brew for 3 – 6 minutes (depending on taste), the press (basically a mesh filter on a stick) is used to compress the grounds to steep or brew for 3 – 6 minutes (depending on taste), the press (basically a mesh filter on a stick) is used to compress the grounds to steep or brew for 3 – 6 minutes (depending on taste), the press (basically a mesh filter on a stick) is used to compress the grounds to the bottom of the carafe and the coffee is ready to pour. To make coffee using a French press, you would place the grounds in the bottom of the carafe and pour water at the desired temperature over them. A French press coffee maker has a glass carafe and requires coarse grounds. The most common type of coffee maker is an automatic drip coffee maker. This type of maker allows you to place the grounds in a filter, pour in cold water which the machine heats, and wait for the now heated water to brew through the grounds into the cup. Very few, if any, grounds get through the filter so you do not have grounds in your cup. The major drawback to this type of coffee maker is that some machines do not get the water to the correct temperature before it gets to the grounds so the brew is not as good as it can be. There are a variety of conveniences available on automatic drip coffee makers. Some of the features include a timer, automatic shut off, pod compatible, and types of filters. Wouldn't it be wonderful to put the coffee grounds into your machine at night and have a fresh brewed cup of coffee when your alarm goes off? You can choose and program the coffee maker to come on at a certain time. You will just need to remember to change the settings when daylight savings time begins and ends. Automatic shut off features allows you to pour a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle is complete. This is for those of you who can't wait to have that first cup – you know who you are. Pod compatible machines are for coffee drinkers that only need one or two cups or want different flavors of coffee. Another feature to consider is a basket filter or cone filter. The cone filter contains more of the grounds giving you a cleaner brew. Coffee makers are a necessity for anyone that loves Coffee and it can really get your day started out right.

The coffee maker you choose can make all the difference. Nothing starts a day off better than a hot, fresh brewed cup of your favorite coffee and nothing can spoil a day faster than a bad cup of coffee. Coffee makers come in a variety of styles, variety of sizes, and have many different convenience options.This method of making coffee tends to give you a tarry, bitter cup of coffee, but there are many people who prefer their coffee made this way. A percolating coffee maker uses boiling water to brew the coffee grounds to extract the coffee flavor. There are three basic types of coffee makers: percolating, French press, and automatic drip.The French press gives you a stronger, bolder, more aromatic coffee, but you will have grounds that get through the press into your cup. After allowing the grounds to steep or brew for 3 – 6 minutes (depending on taste), the press (basically a mesh filter on a stick) is used to compress the grounds to the bottom of the carafe and the coffee is ready to pour. To make coffee using a French press, you would place the grounds in the bottom of the carafe and pour water at the desired temperature over them. A French press coffee maker has a glass carafe and requires coarse grounds.