Coffee

Kenyan, Yemen, Brazilian, the list goes on and on. Which is your favorite flavor? Perhaps there are flavors you are not familiar with, such as brews from New Guinea or Sulawesi. Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular.

Robusta and Arabica – Two Kinds of Coffee Plants

Robusta

There are basically two kinds of coffee plants: Robusta and Arabica. A rare and costly variety of Robusta is the Indonesian Kopi Luwak and the Philippine Kape Alamid.

Robusta is also typically more bitter and acidic in flavor. Aside from the basic Robusta and Arabica variants, there are other rare coffee variants which gained a good following from coffee aficionados.

Arabica

You splurge on several pounds of the finest fresh roasted Arabica bean coffee the world has to offer. You probably know words like Arabica and Robusta in terms of taste, but did you know that these words can also tell us where those coffees were grown.

The state of Veracruz produces many average coffees in its low-lying regions, but atop the tall mountains near the city of Coatepec an excellent Arabica bean coffee called Altura Coatepec reigns.

Italian

Espresso, caffè normale and cappuccino are types of Italian coffee, and one might wonder if there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are pastas.

An espresso machine is used to yield the traditional Italian coffee brew called espresso. Just like pasta, Italian coffee is also an art form linked to many customs and traditions.

Kona Coffee

Pure Kona Coffee is gourmet coffee grown only on the Island of Hawaii. Special care is taken throughout the process of creating the Kona coffee bean. Also, the volcanic soil and high altitude give this Kona arabica coffee plant everything it needs to thrive.

It is a well known fact that Kona produces some of the best coffee in the world. Some say that they can actually taste the Island of Hawaii in each cup of Kona coffee.

Jamaican

If cost was the determining factor for “best” coffee, the Jamaican Blue Mountain would be, hands-down, the winner. There is a huge demand for Blue Mountain Jamaican Coffee, and a limited supply. As a result, genuine, 100% Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee is sometimes not available, at any price.

Brazilian

Coffee was introduced in Europe in the 1600′s and they started growing coffee in Brazil (where most of it is grown today) in the 1700′s. In 1938 Brazil asked Nestle to help find a solution to their coffee surpluses so the Nestle Company comes up with freeze-dried coffee.

Coffee from Brazil can definitely hold its own these days against any other “specialty” coffees.

Kenyan

The Arabs, who monopolized the coffee trade for several hundred years, killed and enslaved many thousand Kenyans and put them to work in coffee production both in Kenya coffee fields and on Arabian coffee plantations. Coffee from Colombia is typically rich while coffees from Kenya often have a mildly sweet-tart flavor.

Conclusion – The Best Coffee

It all depends on who is tasting the coffee as to what flavor is the favorite. With so many to choose from, and different types of plants, there is a flavor for everyone.

Carol Stack has written numerous articles and reviews about coffee and related items. She lives with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats in the United States. Carol and her sister Barbara are constantly adding to their website dedicated to the enjoyment of coffee. Visit it at: http://www.coffeeloversportal.com

Author: Carol Stack
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee is truly one of the pleasures of life. Not only can it pick you up in the afternoon, but the taste can be pure enjoyment. First, though, you need to know a few things in order to brew a great cup of coffee in your own home.

Beans

Great-tasting coffee starts with the best beans and a good coffee grinder. The burr type of grinder is the best. It can operate at slower speeds so your coffee beans are not subject to heat buildup as they are being ground.

With good coffee beans, a burr grinder, and an above average coffee maker, you can make a great cup of coffee at home that equals anything bought at a coffee house. The only other expense you will experience is any syrups or creamers you choose to put in. You’ll still be saving a lot of money by making your coffee at home.

What are the best beans to buy? What’s the difference between arabica and robusta, the two basic coffee species?

Arabica

There are two basic coffee variants: one is the traditional arabica, and the other is robusta coffee.

The shrubs that produce arabica coffee beans were said to have been planted by the descendants of the Queen of Sheba, who came from Ethiopia, where Coffea arabica originates. Arabica beans tend to have less caffeine and milder flavor than robusta. In fact robusta coffee beans have twice the caffeine.

Arabica coffee beans are considered to be superior in quality than robusta. All gourmet coffee beans are created from selected Arabic coffee beans.

Robusta

Robusta is used as an inexpensive substitute for arabica in commercial coffee blends and in almost all instant coffee products. Robusta of finer quality are used in espresso blends for a foamy effect and for better affordability.

High quality robusta is also used to blend espresso for more bite, and to lower costs. Robusta can be grown in climates and environments were arabica would not be profitable.

Not all robusta coffee is less expensive. Some robusta blends include the very popular Jamaican Blue Mountain and the Hawaiian Kona coffees which are so much in demand that they command a higher price.

Most Italian coffee is brewed very strong from the lower quality robusta bean, which might suggest why Italy gave us such innovations as cappuccino (coffee with steamed milk) and flavored coffees

Conclusion

There’s more to enjoying a good cup of coffee than grinding some beans, throwing them into a coffee maker, and drinking the result. To be able to truly enjoy a cup of coffee, start with a burr coffee grinder, an above-average coffee maker, and experiment with different flavors and blends of the best gourmet coffee.

Carol Stack has written numerous articles and reviews about coffee and related items. She lives with her husband, three children, and various dogs and cats in the United States. Carol and her sister Barbara are constantly adding to their website dedicated to the enjoyment of coffee. You can visit it at: http://www.coffeeloversportal.com

Author: Carol Stack
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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