The Best Ground Coffee

Given the baffling array of ground coffees on the market, deciding what to buy is as challenging as choosing a good wine. You’ll waste a lot of time and money if you rely on trial and error.
Whether you slowly savor your coffee in the morning or guzzle it down in order to function, learning about your choices will ensure that you get a perfect cup every day. Hopefully, this guide will steer you to just the right flavors and grinds.

Do You Know Beans About Coffee?

The coffee plant was first discovered in Ethiopia. Its fruit is called a cherry, and each cherry has two seeds that develop into beans.

There are only two species of beans: robusta and arabica. Robusta beans are used in most commercial brands. They are higher in acidity than arabica beans and have a somewhat nutty taste. They also contain higher levels of caffeine. Since arabica beans are more difficult to grow, they are more costly. They have a smooth, well-balanced flavor that makes them a good choice for gourmet coffees.

Coffee is farmed all over the globe. Regional climates, elevation, soil quality and farming methods play into the overall flavor and aroma of any given cup of coffee.
Accounting for Taste

You probably feel the same way about coffee that you do about music or art. You know what you like. If you can pinpoint those flavors, you’ll expand your palate and discover some of the best coffees you’ve ever tasted.
Great coffees have complex, multilayered flavor profiles. You’ll taste subtle notes of fruit, nuts, berries or chocolate.

African coffees, for example, tend to have spicy, fruity, exotic flavors. Coffees from Indonesia have a bittersweet aftertaste that's reminiscent of cocoa. Colombian and Central American varieties are bold, crisp and acidic for extra bite. Asia and the Pacific region, especially Hawaii, produce very sweet, mellow coffees. Withing large growing regions, specific countries and even small villages produce their own uniquely flavored coffees. It pays to brush up on your coffee geography.

Here’s a breakdown of the elements that go into every sip:

- Aroma

Since your taste buds can only discern salty, sweet, sour or bitter flavors, aroma plays a vital role in taste. You may think that a coffee tastes earthy or floral, but that’s just your sense of smell filling in the gaps. If you buy ground coffee in person, smelling it will give you a pretty good idea of whether or not you’ll like it. If you order online, consult the label or product details for descriptions of the aroma.

- Acidity

Acidity sometimes has a negative connotation, but in coffee, it can be a good thing. After you swallow, one or several flavors might linger pleasantly on the back of your tongue. Acidity is sometimes called brightness because it unexpectedly perks up an otherwise bland cup of coffee. If you like a sharp, vibrant flavor, look for coffees that are higher in acidity.

- Body

Just as in wine descriptions, body refers to the sensation of fullness or lightness in your mouth. Coffees may feel thick and creamy or thin and watery. They are described as light- or full-bodied.
Aroma, acidity and body should complement one another for a balanced, pleasing flavor. You may prefer a coffee that has somewhat higher acidity or a pronounced, pungent aroma, but no one characteristic should overwhelm the others. The best coffees have a harmonious, well-rounded blend of all three elements.

Degree of Roasting

Coffees are classified according to the duration and temperature of the roasting process.

Light roasts, also called New England roasts, have the mildest flavor. Medium roasts are a bit stronger and have higher acidity. Medium-dark roasts have lower acidity and are slightly bittersweet. You may see them referred to as city roasts. Dark roasts, like those used for espresso, are the richest and most bitter-tasting.
Tips

- If you take no special pains with storage, ground coffee will retain its flavor for about a month. The best place to keep it is in a pantry or cabinet away from heat, light and moisture. If you buy in large quantities, leave the products in their original containers. Vacuum seal the containers and freeze them for up to a year.

• Be sure that the type of grind you buy will work well with your coffee machine and filters. Coarse, extra-fine and Turkish grinds require special equipment.

- Rare coffees from small regions can set you back around $40 per pound. Before you spend that kind of money, sample blends that cost half as much.
- In general, you’ll pay more for certified organic or fair-trade products. However, these designations were awarded by local government agencies and are worth the extra money. They ensure that the coffee farms were found to be clean and environmentally friendly. Roasting facilities and methods were closely supervised. The farmers and their workers were treated and paid fairly.
Worth Trying

Here’s a sampling of highly rated coffees that might do wonders for your morning:

- Koffee Kult Medium Roast
Koffee Kult varieties are perennial favorites. This full-bodied medium roast has a crisp, sweet aftertaste. If you’re not ready to try anything crazy, try this one. It's better than your average cup of joe.

- Cameron's Coffee Highlander Grog

This light roast evokes the flavors of rum, butterscotch and vanilla. Just one cup will have you talking like a pirate.

- Javazen Balance Direct Trade, Light Roast Coffee with Matcha Green Tea and Raw Cacao Nibs, Certified Organic, Non-GMO and Kosher

The name pretty much says it all. Javazen is an enlightened coffee with high anti-oxidant levels. If you're a health-minded, environmentally conscientious fan of both tea and coffee, this cup's for you.

- Peet's Coffee Peetnik Pack, Major Dickason's Blend, Dark Roast

This deeply roasted blend is strong and full-bodied. It's terrific as an espresso, but you can tame the flavor with cream.

- Banned Coffee, The World’s Strongest Coffee

Napalm, Death Wish, Biohazard, Red Goat Original and one other with a quite colorful name make the same claim. If you need a caffeine fix in the worst way, pick your poison.

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This page about Ground Coffee was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-10-14 08:12:40 and has been viewed 2551 times.