Archive for the 'Coffee Plant And Beans' Category
From Green Coffee Beans to Aromatic Powder
Coffee does not exist in the form that we are used to purchasing it in at the stores. Coffee comes in the form of green coffee beans that grow on the coffee plant. These green coffee beans are then collected from coffee plantations and are sent to places to be roasted, ground and finely crushed to make the coffee powder that you are use to purchasing at your local store.
The Processes that Green Coffee Beans Undergo
There is a process that these green coffee beans must go through before they actually become coffee powder. Firstly, the beans must be picked from the coffee plantations. This is usually done by hand by laborers who get paid for each basket that they pick. Then, since coffee beans have a fruity flesh that directly wraps around the coffee bean, once they are gathered this flesh has to be removed right away. This is done by soaking the beans, scouring them and then mechanically rubbing the bean.
Once the green coffee bean is free from its fruity flesh it is then cleaned with water. This is done in order to remove any of the fruity flesh that may still be sticking to it, as well as any additional sugars that are on it. The beans are then dried by spreading them over a large concrete or rock plane where they are dried by a combination of the air and direct sunlight.
After the beans have been dried it is time for the beans to be put into categories that are based upon the color and the size of the coffee bean. Any beans that are discolored, decayed or damaged are removed from the other beans at this point.
When the beans are finally dried, they are then roasted. This process is important if you want an aromatic cup of coffee. At this time, the coffee bean will actually expands to nearly twice that of what its initial size was. It will also change color and density as it takes in heat. The color turns to yellow and then to a light cinnamon brown. At this point the coffee beans will start to crack, just like popcorn does. As coffee is grown in different parts of the world, varying climate conditions and other factors also play a role in how the beans are processed. The final product is then crushed into the savory coffee powder which we are accustomed to seeing.
Tags: aromatic powder, green coffee, coffee beans, coffee, green coffee beans
Selecting and Preserving the Best Coffee Beans for your Java
Coffee has become a booming business today, and the ground beans that fill the metal coffee cans just don’t cut it for many coffee connoisseurs any more. Avid coffee drinkers want their brews made from beans that are fresh, robust, and grown and roasted to perfection. But how many coffee lovers are well-versed in what happens to a coffee bean from the time it is grown until it ends up in your coffee maker at home? The process of growing and roasting coffee beans is a long and complex one, but the result of beans grown and harvested properly is a delicious cup of coffee every time. It is a good idea to be at least a little familiar with the process to know how to select the best coffee beans to put into your morning cup.
Where do Coffee Beans Grow?
While there are many countries throughout the world which grow coffee beans, the majority of our beans come from Brazil, Columbia, Indonesia and Mexico, respectively. Coffee trees are a bit persnickety about the sunlight, moisture and temperatures that they require to grow well. Plants that are grown at higher altitudes tend to yield more flavorful beans, since the lack of oxygen in these areas offers the plants a longer time until harvest and allows the flavor to develop more fully. Coffee beans are distinguished by whether they grow in a high or low area, the flavor of the beans and the aroma. Arabica beans tend to have the most flavor and aroma, while Robusta beans offer an earthier aroma and taste.
Keeping Coffee Beans Fresh
When you head to the store to buy your coffee, keep in mind that freshness of the beans is subject to when they were roasted. If you can buy your coffee beans on the day of roasting, or perhaps the day after, you will enjoy the freshest coffee possible. It is always best to buy your beans whole and grind them yourself on the day that you will use them. If you don’t have a grinder or you prefer to grind a few day’s worth at once, you can store your coffee in the freezer to help keep your coffee beans as fresh as possible until you use them. If you like to order your coffee beans from companies on the Internet, you can ask the company about its policies in shipping and roasting. Some companies will ship out beans the day that they are roasted to ensure the maximum freshness possible.
Tags: coffee plant, coffee beans, preserving coffee beans, selecting coffee beans, coffee
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