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Coffee: More Complex Than You Think
Coffee beans, grown in equatorial regions, come in two main species: arabica
and robusta. In recent years coffee has seen the same kind of specialization
as wine, with many different sources of beans and types of roasting.
Arabica Beans
Arabica beans grow at high altitudes – 1000 to 2000 metres. This species has a
caffeine content of around 0.8% to 1.4% and is generally considered superior
to robusta. Arabica accounts for about 70% of worldwide coffee production.
"Grand cru" beans, the very best, only come from about 10% of all arabica
production. Arabica grows in Central and South America, India, Eastern Africa,
and Papua New Guinea.
Robusta Beans
Robusta beans grow in lower altitudes – 0 to 700 metres. This species has a
high caffeine content of 1.7% to 4.0% and it accounts for roughly 30% of world
coffee production. Robusta is stronger than arabica and has an aftertaste
that's considered useful both in creating blends and in making instant coffee.
Cheaper coffee blends tend to have a higher proportion of robusta beans than
arabica, though some high quality blends, especially espresso blends, use the
very best robusta beans to create great body and flavour. Robusta beans grow
in Western and Central Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, and India.
Roasting Process
During roasting, the water content of the coffee bean evaporates and the bean
swells to twice its normal size. The skin, or chaff, breaks and falls off. The
bean itself turns from a light green to a dark brown throughout the process.
Light Roasts
Light roasts give the subtlest flavours and are quite light-bodied. Examples
include the New England Roast, Half City Roast, and Cinnamon Roast.
Medium Roasts
These roasts attempt to balance body and flavour. The Breakfast Roast is a bit
sweeter than a light roast. The American Roast is not as dark as European
varieties, but is quite aromatic. The City Roast is slightly darker than most
American roasts.
Medium-Dark Roasts
In creating Medium-Dark roasts, beans roast for a long time at temperatures
high enough to bring the natural coffee oil to the surface. Examples include
the French Roast or Dark Roast, which are often used to make espresso, the
Continental Roast, or the Viennese Roast.
Dark Roasts
Examples of Dark Roasts include the Italian Roast or Heavy Roast. The beans
are roasted until they are nearly black, making the flavour quite smoky and
masking the taste of the bean itself.
The different types and sources of beans, along with the manners of roasting,
ensure a wide array of coffee choices. Thus it's no surprise that ordering
coffee has become a bit of a production.
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