TheCoffeeDrinker.com

You want to ensure you get the best quality gourmet coffee beans.  But like most of us you don’t have the time to search for days, or longer, to find the bean to make that perfect cup.  Below are some tips on how to find that perfect gourmet coffee bean.

Let’s face it, you probably aren’t a barista so it is important to find a local coffee house that has knowledgeable folk at the counter.  Without dependable knowledge about the beans they sell you can get in trouble fast.  Your local coffee house should take time to educate you on the different types of gourmet coffee beans sold.  Most coffee beans are arabica but the real difference is in the roast.  Choose a local coffee house that can give you accurate information, and, more importantly, is willing to do it.  Of course, your local coffee house will have available the bean varieties used to brew their coffee.

Depending on the size of your community, you may have available local coffee reviews in your newspaper.  Like restaurant critics, don’t just take the word of one reviewer as gospel.  Look for multiple reviews if available.  Many times the local newspaper won’t have that attention to coffee detail, so check with the coffee house.  They may have available any reviews on the coffees they carry, either in a display or a take home brochure.  Look for common threads within the reviews to give you clues on the bean’s characteristics.  The greater number of reviews you can find on a particular bean variety or roast the more dependable the opinion.

Once you gain some experience in determining the qualities and characteristics of a good coffee, the more you can depend on your own intuition.  Ask the coffee house to put a tablespoon of beans in a clean coffee cup.  Take the cup and smell it like a fine wine, I mean, put your nose deep into the cup and take in the aroma.  Ask the barista to pour a sample cup for you to taste and swish this around in your mouth while sucking in air.  Don’t worry if you make funny sounds because the oxygen you are mixing in with the coffee awakens the taste buds to distinguish the sometimes elusive taste sensations.  Once you have tasted it go back to the “smelling cup” and take in another deep nose full.  By doing this your are training your senses to associate the aroma with the taste.  Then in the future you can better judge the taste of differing coffees simply by smelling it.

If you don’t have a local, independent shop don’t despair.  You can still get quality coffee online by reading reviews and selecting from a reputable roaster.  For high-quality coffee The Coffee Drinker recommends three brands as good starting points.  For quality coffee from a wonderful growing region go to Cafe Britt who grows and roasts on site Costa Rican coffee.  To try a roast-to-order which can’t be beat when it comes to fresh flavor click on Boca Java.  And for espresso roast we high recommend illy.

Remember, coffee is a very personal experience but you with experience you will soon become the coffee expert in your circle to whom everyone turns for advice.

Have the BEST cup ever!
J. Lance Curtis
The Coffee Drinker

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Categories: Coffee Houses, Gourmet Coffee, The Coffee Drinker, coffee grinder, espresso
Tags: coffee beans, costa rica coffee beans, Costa Rican Coffee, espresso coffee, espresso coffee bean, espresso coffee beans, flavored coffee bean, flavored coffee beans, fresh gourmet coffee, Gourmet Coffee, gourmet coffee bean, gourmet coffee cafe, gourmet coffee gift, gourmet coffees, lavazza coffee beans, organic coffee beans, premium gourmet coffee, specialty gourmet coffee, whole coffee beans