Coffee beans: fragrant, rich and black

The origin of coffee

Coffee, a fragrant, rich and black spirit, is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It originated in the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa. It is said that it was first discovered when a shepherd noticed that his sheep became unusually active after eating a certain red fruit. This discovery aroused people's interest and began to study how to use these magical fruits.

Coffee bean processing

From being picked to becoming the delicious cup of coffee we drink, coffee beans go through many stages. The first is the picking stage, when the berries are picked manually or mechanically when they are ripe. Then they are peeled and pulped to expose the seeds inside, which are called "beans".

Next comes the fermentation and washing process, soaking in water for a period of time to remove residual substances and improve the taste. The wet beans are then dried, sorted and screened to ensure quality.

The final step is the roasting stage, which is a key step in determining the flavor of the coffee beans. By controlling the temperature and time, the aroma and taste of the coffee beans can be adjusted. Light roasting produces a light acidity and floral aroma, medium roasting brings a balanced taste and rich chocolate flavor, while dark roasting emphasizes a strong bitterness and cocoa flavor.

Coffee characteristics in different regions

Coffee beans grown around the world have different characteristics and flavors. For example, Brazil produces a large amount of high-quality coffee beans and is known for its smoothness and sweetness. Colombia is known for its balance, moderate acidity and rich fruity aroma.

Kenya produces some of the most popular African coffees, with a distinct and complex acidity and fruity aromas such as blackcurrant and lemon. Cuba, on the other hand, is renowned worldwide for its unique growing environment, and its coffee beans have rich chocolate and tobacco flavors.

How to brew coffee

Brewing a delicious cup of coffee requires the right proportions and methods. The most common is the drip brewing method, which uses filter paper to contact the ground coffee powder with hot water, allowing the water to slowly penetrate through the filter and extract the essence of the coffee.

Another popular brewing method is the French press pot. Coarsely or medium-ground coffee beans are added to an appropriate amount of boiling water and left to stand for a while, then the bean residue is isolated at the bottom of the pot with a press, and the fragrant concentrated liquid on the top is poured out.

There is also the Italian classic ESPResso (which means "fast"), which is quickly sprayed out from a fine and even spray under high pressure. This method produces a rich and long cream layer that rises upward and is not easy to dissipate.

Conclusion

Whether it is the aroma of the first cup of coffee when you wake up in the morning, or a cup of strong black coffee when you meet friends in the afternoon, coffee beans bring us endless enjoyment. By understanding the origin, processing and regional characteristics of coffee, we can better appreciate and taste this delicious drink.

When brewing, choose a method that suits your taste and preference, and enjoy every cup of the unique flavor of Black Elf.