Gourmet Specialty Coffee ... Choosing The Best

Gourmet specialty coffee has become a very popular item in today's market, as more and more are starting to appreciate the taste of sophisticated coffee beans.

This coffee is great for everyday use, and also makes a great gift for many different occasions. Many who drink coffee are used to drinking store bought cans that have been sitting for weeks, and have yet to appreciate the amazing taste that gourmet beans can offer.

The Coffee Beans

Gourmet specialty coffee is unlike regular store-bought coffee, because the beans are only raised in ideal climates. The beans have a very natural and distinct flavor, which is mostly due to the special soil they are grown in, along with the attention given to them during the growing process.

The distinct gourmet flavor is obtained through special microclimates, which gives gourmet coffee a more balanced and richer flavor than what is typically sold in grocery stores.

When purchasing gourmet specialty coffee, it is always best to purchase only whole beans. While it may be more convenient to purchase ground coffee that can go directly into a coffee maker, coffee actually loses a lot of its flavor after it is ground.

The oils on the outside of coffee beans actually give it a rich and bold flavor, and these oils are lost when the beans are ground and then packaged to sit on a store shelf.

Whole coffee beans that are packaged in air tight containers are best, since none of the amazing flavor is able to escape.

Buying Quality Beans

Because gourmet specialty coffee can be more expensive than what is sold at a grocery store, it is important to buy quality beans that are worth what you pay.

This means only buying Arabica coffee beans, since anything else is less than gourmet. Most specialty stores such as Starbucks sell only Arabica coffee beans, but others try to sneak in robusta coffee beans which are less than gourmet.

Although many do appreciate the bitter taste robusta coffee beans give off, most gourmet coffee drinkers try to avoid this taste.

Only purchase 100% Arabica coffee beans, otherwise you are most likely throwing money away.

Where to Buy the Best Quality Beans

There are various websites that sell amazing gourmet specialty coffee, but it is best to purchase it at your local coffee shop if possible, especially if they roast the beans.

It is best to buy from locations that roast their own beans, because coffee beans actually begin to lose some flavor as soon as they are taken out of the roaster.

The essential oils start to break down immediately, so gourmet specialty coffee beans that have been sitting for a long period of time can actually lose a lot of their amazing flavor. If you have a coffee shop nearby that roasts their own beans, take advantage of being able to buy gourmet specialty coffee at its peak.

Strengths of Coffee

One of the most misunderstood notions of buying any type of coffee is deciding whether to purchase strong or mild flavors. You can actually make any flavor of coffee strong or mild, depending on how much ground coffee you use in your maker in relationship to the amount of water.

Aim for only about a fourth of a cup at first, especially for first timers trying gourmet coffee. It can then be increased based on personal preference.

As you try different types of beans you will find some beans have a more robust taste. You'll also find that the type of grind you use, whether it be coarse or fine, will alter the taste of the coffee.

Grinding Coffee Beans Plays a Major Role in Gourmet Specialty Coffee

The final step in enjoying an amazing cup of gourmet specialty coffee is grinding the beans and brewing them in the best coffee maker.

Small grinders can be found at home stores or coffee specialty stores, but make sure to only grind what is going to be immediately brewed.

Because the beans lose flavor once they are ground, it is best to freshly grind each batch right before brewing.

Choosing the Coffee Maker

Brewing your coffee in a decent coffee maker is also important, since a cheap maker can actually ruin the taste of the gourmet specialty coffee.

The most common type of coffee maker used is an automatic drip coffee machine, which can make an amazing cup when used correctly. The only problem with drip brewers is that they tend to cook the coffee when left on for an extended period of time, so the first cup and last cup will taste significantly different.

This can be avoided by only making as much coffee as one plans to drink, but a new batch will have to be made each time a new cup of coffee is being requested.

Single serve coffee makers are also ideal for brewing gourmet specialty coffee, but can only handle up to two cups at a time. This may not be ideal for a large party or gathering, since you will have guests waiting forever for a fresh cup of coffee.

Although most single cup brewers support coffee sold in small single packets, for those that use coffee pods, you now have the option of making your own by hand or using the pod maker.

One of the best ways to brew gourmet specialty coffee is with a French press coffee maker, since it is easy, fresh, and tastes amazing.

A French press is essentially a glass jar with vertical sides and a plunger, and involves placing the coffee grounds in the jar and pouring hot water over them.

After only about three minutes, the plunger is then pressed down and a fresh pot of coffee is made. Like the drip brew coffee makers, the coffee must be consumed right away, or else the coffee made in a French press will get cold and will no longer be enjoyable.

Gourmet specialty coffee can be very enjoyable, as long as it is purchased and brewed correctly. It is a hot item all over the world, and various flavors and brews can be found in many different countries. Its amazingly rich and distinct flavor is loved by many, which makes the entire growing and brewing process well worth it.

If you want to learn more about coffee beans, you might want to read about the types of coffee beans.

Today, more people are enjoying the great taste of gourmet decaf coffee. Some people drink decaf to avoid all the caffeine, while other people drink the gourmet specialty coffee simply because it is delicious. So if you prefer decaf... you can learn more about Gourmet Decaf Coffee.

Some Excellent Choices in Gourmet Specialty Coffee

I've been around a lot of years (No I'm not telling my age ;) and have sampled and used some wonderful gourmet specialty coffees. I'll be listing some of my favorites here.

Blue Mountain Jamaican Coffee
... is there a "best" coffee in the whole world? Of course, this depends on your taste buds and if you even enjoy drinking coffee. Millions of people throughout the world drink coffee every single day and never give it a second thought. To these coffee drinkers, gourmet coffee really holds no relevance.

Brazilian Coffee

Brazilian coffee is perhaps the most wanted coffee in all of the world. Created in Brazil, which by the way is the largest produce of coffees in the world, Brazilian coffee is created by a complex method of harvesting and processing.

Colombian Coffee
Still one of the most popular coffees of the world, you're in for some surprises if you haven't tried some of the specialties they offer.

Cuban Coffee

There are essentially many people all over the world that love a good cup of Cuban coffee. Although Cuban coffee is a type of espresso that was first introduced as a drink in Cuba, Cuban espresso became a popular drink when the first espresso machines were brought to Cuba from Italy.

Ethiopia Coffee

Ethiopia is one of the top ten coffee producers in the world, reaping just over 3.8 million bags per year. The natural home of the Arabica tree, Ethiopia is Africa's top Arabica exporter and leads the continent in domestic consumption.

Guatemalan Coffee

Guatemalan coffee is known to be some of the best tasting coffee. It is often revered as being rich, full and robust in taste as well as having a smooth after taste when the coffee is finished. Some of the experts say that the coffee from Guatemala is ranked among those that are in the top ten coffees of the world according to coffee taste tests and reviews.

Kenya Coffee

The unique taste found in Kenya coffee is often described as being rich and robust. It has been distinguished as being in a class of their own because of the aroma, taste, astringency, and richness found in the beans.

Kona Coffee

Kona coffee, or "Hawaiian Kona Coffee" is a very popular beverage among those who appreciate exquisite coffee tastes. This particular type of coffee is quite unique in that it is carefully cultivated on the tropical slopes of Mauna Loa and the Mount of Hualalai in Hawaii.

Sumatra Coffee

Sumatra coffee is unique and the Mandheling is viewed by some as one of the best coffees available. Coffee has a history as rich as the brew itself, dating back to thousands of years ago when the coffee plants or so it is believed, came from the Horn of Africa on the shores of the red sea.