Turn an Ordinary Cup into Your Favorite Cup PT 1

Steamy BeanPart 1: Choosing Your Flavor or Origin

 

This will be a 3-part blog

Part 1: Flavor and Origin

Part 2: Roast Type

Part 3: Grind Type

 

Coffee is perhaps the most popular drink in the world and is literally shared by millions. A single cup of coffee can shape a cozy and intimate environment perfect for brewing close connections.

 

With so many of us bonding over coffee, it’s no wonder there are so many different brands, flavors, blends and choices. If you’re a devoted coffee-drinker, you probably already have an idea of what you love; but even coffee connoisseurs find new favorites. That’s why, in this article, we’re going to talk about the significance of origin and what flavor you can expect from different regions.

 

East Africa:

Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda

 

African coffee beans are loaded with taste

Undertones are similar to that of sweet wine

 

Ethiopia: wild, winey, fruity profile

Sidamo & Yrgacheffe

 

In Ethiopia, note that coffee is processed using one of two methods - natural and wet. The use of these methods – either together or separately - can significantly change the taste from one batch of beans to the next.

 

Wet coffees are lighter with more flowery undertones.

Natural, or dry processed, are heavier, fruity and more syrupy - sometimes tasting like blueberries.

 

Rwandan: complex sweet, acidic, floral

Think caramel and butterscotch

 

Kenyan: complex, spicy, citrusy, bright, clean

Think dried fruit and berries

 

Ugandan: full, fruity taste that’s as smooth as silk

The aroma is unforgettable

Some of the best coffee in the world comes from Uganda

 

*If you’re unsure where to start, I always recommend African coffee first - the tasting profile is remarkable. Coffee from Kenya and Rwanda are a few of my personal favorites. Yrgacheffe is also a very popular choice amongst people who also favor the African Origins.

 

Indonesia:

Sumatra

Earthy, Spicy and Very Flavorful

Heavy body, sweet cedar, bell pepper, and distinct notes of chocolate, earthy, and balsamic vinegar

 

Central America:

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

 

Offers a rich, mild body with low acidity

Slightly sweet with a shy and gentle flavor

Genuine & traditional taste

Chocolatey, Nutty

 

South America:

Colombia, Peru, Brazil

 

Light, Floral Undertones

Slightly Bittersweet

 

Due to their light and gentle profiles, coffee from Latin America usually tastes best in mixtures or specialty blends.

 

We hope this article brews some understanding and leads you on the path of coffee discovery! Stay tuned for our next article that will reveal valuable information about roasting raw coffee beans, and how this important process stimulates and can significantly change the taste of your coffee, from one roast type to the next.

We love to talk about coffee. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!