Making a cup of coffee that feels as good as it tastes September 25, 2024 - by Laura Muntean A perfect cup of coffee starts at the source — the coffee farms where it’s grown. Eric Brenner, Texas A&M AgriLife Center for Coffee Research and Education assistant director, Bryan-College Station, has some useful tips on how to brew a truly good cup of coffee and what purchasing good coffee really means for you and the farmers who grow the beans. Pick the best coffee beans: Specialty coffee Start with quality coffee.
The best quality beans are labeled as “specialty coffee” and “100% Arabica beans.” There are 10 cupping attributes, but a good starting point is to focus on these five: flavor, aroma, sweetness, body and acidity. Specialty coffee is carefully graded and sorted before roasting, ensuring it has little to no defects like fungus, insect damage or irregularities that will affect the quality of the cup.
When buying coffee, it’s best to choose specialty single-origin coffee. Look for labels that provide details like the altitude, the processing method — whether natural, honey or washed, the country and region of origin, and variety. Avoid dark, oily beans; they should be brown and almost dry to the touch.
Choose the right roast Selecting the right roast level is crucial for highlighting the coffee’s unique characteristics. Light and medium roasts preserve the nuanced flavors influenced by factors such as soil, location, environment, processing methods, variet.