The luster and quality of coffee beans: bright or dull, which is better?

The luster and quality of coffee beans have always been the focus of coffee lovers. In the market, we often see some shiny and sparkling coffee beans, while others are relatively dark. So, in terms of luster and quality, which one is better?

First, we need to understand how the gloss of coffee beans is formed. When the surface oil of coffee beans is released during roasting, it will give the beans a glossy feeling. This oil is called "germ", which can protect the inside of the coffee beans from oxidation and help extract more aroma and taste substances when grinding.

However, not all coffee beans with a high glossiness represent high quality. In fact, in some cases, excessive glossiness may even mean that there is a problem. For example, if it is not properly handled or preserved during production and transportation, it may cause problems such as increased humidity and open-air exposure, which may cause the germ layer to become abnormally shiny. In this case, the quality of the coffee beans may be affected, and the taste and aroma may not be as expected.

On the contrary, some dark-looking coffee beans do not necessarily mean they are of low quality. In fact, in certain specific cases, darker coffee beans may have better quality. For example, in some special producing areas or when the picking time is late, due to factors such as climate and soil, the oil content on the surface of the coffee beans is relatively low, so they appear darker in appearance. However, this does not mean that these coffee beans do not have excellent flavor and taste.

In summary, when choosing coffee beans, you cannot judge their quality based solely on their gloss. Although the shiny, sparkling appearance gives people a visually pleasing feeling and is usually associated with high quality, we also need to consider other factors such as the production area, picking time, roasting degree, etc., which affect the flavor and taste of coffee.