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Gourmet Coffee Guide

Do you really like coffee? Perhaps you'd like to explore the many varieties of gourmet coffee.  While Folgers does the trick for most people, it is fun to try new types of coffee. A word to the wise though-- Folgers may never taste the same. Do you just want a basic guide of coffee? Click here for a basic guide to non-gourmet coffees.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Gourmet Coffee

  • Type of Beans-- Arabica Beans  are considered the premium type of coffee bean.
  • Region Grown-- The taste, flavor, and acidity of coffee varies by the region where it was cultivated.
  • Acidity-- Acidity refers to the taste that the coffee leaves in your mouth. Acidity refers to a sparkling, crisp feeling on the tongue, similar to the sensation produced by a dry white wine.  High acidity coffees are called lively, while low acidity coffees are referred to as smooth.
  • Body-- Body is lingering feeling that is bold, heavy, and at times pungent. Body is a sensation similar to that produced by red wine.  Coffee either is "lively" or "full-bodied", but never both, although it is common for there to be a balance between acidity and body.
  • Finish-- A finish is the aftertaste left by coffee. A coffee's finish can be sweet, light, crisp, heavy, or lingering.
  • Flavor-- Many coffees pick up distinct flavors from the soils they are grown in or from neighboring plants. Coffee can have almost any flavor. Common flavors are nuts,  spices,  fruits,  and herbs. 
  • Price-- Quality comes at a price. Most gourmet coffees are more expensive than your average supermarket coffees.
  • Availability-- Most gourmet coffees are not sold at local supermarkets. Don't fret. Buy gourmet coffees online, where almost every variety can be found (and often at a bigger discount than you would find by going into specialty coffee store).
  • Roast-- Roasting green coffee beans makes or breaks coffee. It's practically an art form. Timing, process, bean size, moisture, and bean darkness all come into play to reveal the true characteristics of the coffee. Roasting is essential to gourmet coffee.

Gourmet Coffee Beans 101

There are two main types of coffee beans that are used to produce most of the world's coffee.

  • Arabica Coffee Bean -- Main coffee bean used in producing gourmet coffees. It is the only type of coffee bean in the world that is considered tasty when consumed straight, without mixing with any other type of bean. Arabica beans are native to northeastern Africa, but they are now grown all over the world. Although the trees do not produce fruit until three to five years of age, they can continue to produce coffee cherries for about 30 years. Arabica Coffee Beans account for 70% of global coffee production and is the most widely grown species of coffee plant. Arabica Coffee Beans are considered to be top of the line coffee beans. Gourmet coffees are made from select Arabica Coffee Beans that can only grow in tropical or sub-tropical climates at extremely high altitudes. The most common type of Arabica Coffee Bean that is selected for gourmet coffees are organic coffee beans that are produced without any chemicals.
  • Robusta Coffee Bean -- Robusta Coffee Beans have an extremely harsh taste that most people cannot enjoy without it being mixed with a milder tasting bean, such as Arabica beans. Robusta Coffee Beans are used to produce espresso. Most commercial coffee producers mix Robusta Coffee Beans with Arabica Coffee Beans because Robusta Beans are cheaper to produce, and thus mixing the two types of beans increases their profit. Gourmet Coffee Beans, however, are not usually a mix.

Coffee Growing Regions 101

Every coffee growing region has their own distict flavor. While exploring gourmet coffee, you should try coffees from a variety of regions to find out which coffee growing region you like the most. Here are some popular coffee growing regions.

  • South America and Central America-- Coffee grown in this region has a high acidity. Their coffees are usually crisp and on the sweet and spicy side. Popular gourmet coffees from this region are Columbian Supremo,  Costa Rican Tarrazu  and Guatamala Antigua. 
  • Africa and Arabia--These regions produce the greatest range and variety in flavors. It is actually common to find coffee grown in these regions to have a fruity taste characteristic of wine. Their acidity and body are usually quite balanced. These coffees produce great aromas. Popular gourmet coffees from this region are Kenya AA,  Ethiopian Fancy  and Yemen Mocha. 
  • Pacific or Island-- This region produces a smooth, rich, full bodied coffee that often has hints of nuts in its flavor. Popular gourmet coffees from this region are Hawaiian Kona Coffee,  Jamaican Blue Mountain  and Sumatra Mandheling. 

Coffee Roasts 101

The process of roasting coffee beans has a profound effect on the overall taste and quality of a coffee. Roasts referring to regions or nations refer to the degree of the roast and have little to do with geography. Here are some popular roasts:

  • American Roast  or Cinnamon Roast -- A very light roast used primarily with Robusta Beans and not with gourmet coffees.
  • City Roast  or Vienna Roast -- The lightest gourmet coffee roast.
  • Full City Roast -- A darker roast producing a subtle caramel flavor.
  • French Roast -- A dark roast. Probably the most preferred roast, due to its slightly burnt flavor. Because darker roasts release more oils, they also appear shiny in your coffee mug.
  • Italian Roast -- An extremely dark, burnt roast. The beans used are dark, shiny, and brittle. This roast is used to make Cappuccino  and Espresso. 

Coffee Blends: Good or Bad?

Do not be afraid of buying gourmet coffee blends. The darker the roast, the less acidity in the coffee. That's why gourmet coffees are often mixed with other gourmet coffees. Mixtures attempt to find the perfect balance of body, acidity, flavors, finish, and aromas.

Flavored Coffees

Coffees flavored with non-coffee related flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, and chocolate, can still be considered gourmet. Gourmet coffees are found in a huge variety of flavors, even fruit flavors such as raspberry, blueberry, and peach. 

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