If you’re looking to perfect your cup by roasting your own, you have to start with the right green coffee beans. Although it’s easy to buy unroasted beans at the supermarket or over the Internet you never know what you’re getting until the package actually arrives.
In order to spare yourself the chances of getting ripped off, ask for a small sample before spending any money. Once you receive the sample, have a look at the checklist below to see how your green coffee beans score in terms of quality and taste!
The Characteristics of High-Quality Green Coffee Beans
1. Age and Freshness
Some consumers prefer the taste of aged green coffee beans, but others want their product to be relatively fresh. Tastes differ, but make sure you ask the distributor how long the beans have been aged if you prefer a fresh cup. It is recommended that beans are brewed before they reach 8 years of age, others say that the upper limit is closer to 3.
2. Cultivar / Variety
Although the question of where to buy different types of coffee beans is extremely important, there is one even more important concern that your distributor needs to address: where did the beans come from, and which variety are they?
High-quality beans are separated by both geographic region and cultivar; unfortunately, many consumers are sold mixed batches without even knowing.
3. Size and Shape
Sizes and shapes of the green coffee beans should be as similar as possible. Mixed sizes result in an uneven roast, and dissimilar shapes can be a hint that you were sold a mixed batch. Even organic coffee beans, although they undergo a more natural treatment, should still be uniform.
4. Color of Green Coffee Beans
Uneven coloring may be an indication that the drying process did not go as planned – this includes those “dull” beans in the bunch. Discoloration can also be a sign of poor storage or lack of humidity control. Be aware! Fresh arabica beans should be bright and evenly colored.
5. Texture and Feel
Fragile, crumbly green coffee beans have usually been over-dried. Soft, squishy beans indicate too much moisture. Although these defects are at two opposite ends of the spectrum, both are detrimental to flavor and quality.
Do you feel like a coffee-shopping pro now?
These are just the basics – there infinite details and qualifications that coffee connoisseurs use to “grade” their beans. Nevertheless, you don’t have to follow anybody else’s standards – half of the fun is experimenting with your own green coffee beans.
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delicious!! Wow Yummy! Hmm! Coffee