The most erudite on the subject of coffee prefer to buy the coffee beans in order to choose the exact variety they want and make it to their liking, grinding the grain at the moment for a much more intense flavor. In Spain you can buy a large quantity of coffee beans, with many varieties that sometimes make it difficult to choose a specific one, especially for those who have less control over this topic.
Having many possibilities and not knowing which one you want is something very typical that happens on many occasions. In the case of coffee beans, it can also depend on the tastes of each person. Some guys may seem very strong or bitter for some palates, preferring something less intense, with a smooth flavor and texture.
Best coffee beans
Saula coffee beans
It is a coffee bean 100% Arabica variety, with a certificate of organic farming and very high quality. It comes in a pack of 2 metal cans of 500 grams (1kg in total). In addition, metal cans keep it preserved in a nitrogen atmosphere to avoid contact with air.
It is a great selected coffee to get the best possible quality. The crops come from Peru, Indonesia and other areas of Central America. With very fresh flavors and aromas and a fine acidity, with floral, fruity notes and hints of cereals.
Coffee Masters
1 kg package of very high quality coffee. A coffee bean of the Arabica variety, with organic and fair trade certification. It's a cafe in ideal grain for espresso machines and for cold preparation. With beans grown in Ethiopia, Hondruas, Peru and Sumatra, giving a good combination of flavors.
Lavazza Coffee Beans
Variety 100% Arabica in this 1 kg package of great quality. With a fruity and floral aroma, sweet and refined. The toasting is medium, to give a delicate intensity to the palate. Good for those who like a mild taste. As to provenance Of these grains, they have been cultivated in Central America and Brazil especially.
Happy Belly (Amazon Brand)
Amazon has joined the coffee bean business and has created its own brand, achieving great success due to its good quality and very low price. It comes in 2 packages of half a kilo each, with a natural roast, with intense and very aromatic flavor, with shades of dark chocolate and oriental spices due to the altitude of its cultivation. It is grown by certified farmers, and is suitable for all types of coffee pots and grinds.
Guilis Cafes
It is a brand that carries from 1928 creating these beans for true coffee lovers. Arabica variety with a natural roast. Grains from a rigorously selected harvest at the Finca Mocatán de Umbría, in Colombia. Specialty of this very special origin in a 1 kg format and with an analysis certificate to certify that the grain does not come from other variables. In addition, it is suitable for all types of coffee machines, although it is ideal for espresso.
Lucifer's Roast
Behind this curious mark hides an Italian coffee with grains of 100% Robusta variety. With extreme strength and free of acid touches as in Arabica, for those who prefer a little more flavor and fine cream. Its roasting has been taken care of so that it is uniform, no additives have been added to the crops, and it is direct trade. Ideal for American or expresso machines, although it can work on other types.
Pellini Caffe
Brand with a long tradition and history in Italy, with great experience in the sector. It is a 1 kg package of mixed coffee, with Arabica and Robusta beans selected from different countries and packaged in a protective atmosphere to guarantee flavor and aroma. It is the perfect blend of natural washed Arabica and natural Robusta, medium roasted to balance flavor and body. Ideal for espresso machines.
Lucaffe Mr. Exclusive
this other coffee from Italy, although it is not cultivated there, the grain is 1 Kg, with selected grains of the 100% Arabica variety. That is to say, the most precious and pure coffee, without any mixtures as in other cases. These beans are ideal for grinding to different coarseness for all types of coffee makers.
How to choose coffee beans?
Coffee varieties
There are several types of coffee beans, such as the Arabica variety and the Robusta variety. For great coffee lovers, the Arabica variety is the best option. But not everyone likes that variety. In some cases, a 100% Arabica variety can even be counterproductive, such as for espresso coffee. In this case, a mixture of both is better to achieve a better body and a somewhat milder flavor.
If you're one of those who sleep on their feet, you probably want a higher intake of caffeine. That will give you energy for the day. In that case, forego the Arabica variety, as Robusta has up to twice the caffeine. And if you see it differently, and you have insomnia, or for health reasons (eg hypertension), you can't drink as much caffeine, then opt for Arabica.
Arabica vs. Robusta
- Arabica: in turn, it can have different varieties depending on its denomination of origin, such as Java, Moka, Kenya, Tarrazú, etc. To be able to differentiate the Arabica variety grains, you only have to look at the central indentation of the grain, which has curves.
- Robust physique: whose origin is the Congo, a variety more resistant to pests and parasites. Being cheaper to grow. To recognize the Robusto grain, you only have to look at the central indentation, which is straight, in addition the grain is usually more rounded than the Arabica.
It must be made clear that the variety does not always come from the same place of cultivation. The beans can be grown in many different countries and altitudes, giving them a genuine character due to the type of farmland. In addition, there are usually products on the market that are a mixture of different places, even though the variety is 100% of a single type.
Type of coffee roast
Apart from the variety of the grain, another important thing that affects the quality and flavor of the coffee is the type of roasting you have received the berry. A natural roast ensures that the coffee has no added substances, and will be 100% natural. It is interesting that you keep an eye on that aspect. In roasted coffee, sugar is added, which masks the real taste. For that reason, avoid mixed blends or those that are purely roasted. Torrefacto is cheaper, but it is one of the few things in its favor that it has. Once that's cleared up, yes it is 100% natural, its roasting can greatly vary the flavor of the coffee beans:
- light roast: a light roast is better. It will preserve more the properties of the grain, and it will have a more pronounced acidity. Although this is a matter of taste...
- medium roastPairing: it is an option with a good balance of acidity, sweetness and aromas. Perhaps recommended for most people.
- Medium-intense roastTaste: gives it a darker touch, with low acidity and more texture.
- deep roastPairing: gives it chocolatey touches, with a lot of texture.
Es a matter of taste, and the final flavor will also depend on the type of roasting, but also on the variety and the process that has been carried out during manufacturing.
Coffee flavors: a matter of height
Finally, you should know that height matters. Depending on where the coffee is grown, it can present some characteristics or others:
- high mountain areasTaste: above 1500 meters, flavors with fruity tones, hints of spices, floral, etc.
- high areasPairing: At 1200 meters of altitude, citrus notes, vanilla, or with hints of chocolate or nuts are achieved.
- middle zones: in the 900 meters you can have grains with low acidity and sweetness.
- low areas: below that, you get very smooth coffees with earthy flavors.
Coffee beans vs ground coffee
Advantages of coffee beans
El aroma and flavor are the two big losers when it comes to ground coffee. That is why many prefer to buy coffee beans. In this way, the coffee is preserved for longer with its flavor. In addition, you should always have fresh coffee in your pantry, since over time, even if it is in grain, it could lose its properties.
El coffee oxidizes easily, losing properties, flavor and aroma. For the best result, it is best to grind it right at the time you are going to consume it. Do not grind coffee in large quantities and store it, or it will be the same as buying it in powder...
Remember that coffee has an oil in the grain that is very volatile, when it is exposed it degrades and then the whole decline of your coffee begins. The longer it stays stuck in the grain, the better.
Grind coffee properly
Depending on the type of coffee maker you have, the coffee beans should go through a different grinding process. It is not the same to buy coffee beans to grind it for your Italian coffee maker, than for a chemex (filter), or for a plunger,...
- for espresso machine: these coffee makers must make the coffee in seconds, therefore, the grain must be ground in such a way that in that time all the possible flavor can be extracted. For this reason, the best thing in this case is to grind the grain very fine (almost like flour, a little less fine), although if you go too far it may be too bitter.
- For Italian coffee maker: in this case, the grain must also be fine, but less than for the previous coffee pot. The appearance of the ground grain in this case should be the size of grains of sugar.
- For Chemex coffee maker (filter): in this case, the grind must be somewhat higher than that of the Italian coffee maker, but somewhat lower than the grain for the French one. Similar to what they sell already ground and packaged in stores.
- For French coffee maker (with plunger): in these coffee machines the coffee is infused, that is, as is done with tea and other infusions in boiling water. For best results in this case, the grind should be coarse.
Remember press ground coffee or avoid pressing depending on the result you want to achieve. Many expert baristas use it to press it for Italian and other types of coffee machines. As a curiosity, some do not wash the Italian coffee maker after each use, as is usually done here in Spain, since they allege that it loses its aroma with washing...
Tricks to prepare the best coffee with coffee beans
For make the best coffee that you can try using coffee beans, it is recommended that you follow these tricks or steps:
- Respect the quality and variety of the coffee chosen according to your tastes.
- Buy the best coffee beans and grind them right at the moment you are going to prepare it so that it does not lose flavor or oxidize.
- Choose mineral water so that it does not give a bad taste to the coffee, especially if you live in an area with hard tap water or with a lot of solid waste. Another alternative is to buy a water distiller, generating pure water ideal for coffee.
- Use the coffee maker you choose properly and respect the manufacturer's recommendations for temperature and handling.
- Adjust the water/coffee ratio according to your tastes. Some people prefer more water and less flavor, others want something more powerful on the palate and add more coffee... For example, a cup of espresso usually has 8 grams of coffee, so you can guide yourself.
- Serve at the moment.
