Coffee buying: the transition from cup to bean

From cup to bean: The shift in coffee buying

Coffee is a popular drink enjoyed by hundreds of millions of people every day. However, few people realize that before we taste a cup of fragrant coffee, this drink goes through a complex and delicate process. From choosing the right cup to selecting high-quality beans, every step has an important impact on the final taste.

Choose the right cup

Before buying coffee, the first thing to consider is choosing the right cup. Different types and shapes of cups will have different effects on the taste of coffee. For example, a small and exquisite ceramic or glass cup with a handle design and good heat preservation performance can better maintain the temperature of coffee and make it easier to taste.

In addition, you also need to consider whether you like to add milk or other condiments when choosing. If you like to add condiments such as milk or milk foam to your coffee, you can choose a glass or ceramic cup with a larger capacity and a wide mouth. Such a cup can better hold the coffee and condiments so that they are fully mixed.

Grinding coffee beans

Once you have chosen the right cup, the next step is to buy and grind the coffee beans. Freshness is one of the key factors to ensure that the coffee tastes the best. Therefore, it is recommended to buy whole, unprocessed coffee beans and grind them on site when needed.

Different types of coffee machines or brewing methods require different degrees of coarseness. For example, a French press requires a coarser particle size, while a pour-over or drip brew requires a finer particle size. Therefore, when grinding, adjust according to the specific usage.

Choose high-quality beans

In addition to freshness, choosing high-quality beans also has an important impact on the final taste. The first thing to consider is the type and origin. Coffee from different types and origins has its own unique flavor characteristics, such as Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, etc.

Secondly, pay attention to the degree of roasting of the beans. Different degrees of roasting can make a huge difference in the taste of coffee. Light roasting usually has sour and floral aromas, suitable for people who like a light taste; medium roasting is more balanced, with a rich taste and acceptable bitterness; while dark roasting is more intense, bitter, and has a certain degree of caramel aroma.

Finally, pay attention to whether you are buying single origin or blended beans. Single origin beans usually have a specific flavor profile, while blended beans can combine multiple flavors to create a more complex taste.

Brewing coffee

When all the preparations are done, it's time to start brewing the coffee. Choose the appropriate brewing method based on your personal preferences and equipment. Whether it's a French press, hand pour-over or drip machine, you need to control the water temperature, water volume and time to achieve the ideal effect.

Before pouring in boiling water, wet the filter paper with a small amount of warm water and place it on the filter to remove the paper smell. Then, pour the coffee powder into the filter according to the proportion and slowly pour in boiling water. Adjust the brewing time and water amount as needed to get the ideal concentration and taste.

Coffee tasting

The final step is to taste the coffee. Pour the brewed coffee into the cup you selected earlier and savor its aroma and taste. Pay attention to factors such as color, smell, and acidity, and evaluate them according to your personal preferences.

Through the above series of steps, we can fully understand and master the transformation process of buying coffee from cup to bean. Each link has an important impact on the final taste, so we should carefully consider and make the right choice when buying.