Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages worldwide. Especially in our country, it is synonymous with company, conversation, and outings. 

Of course, it is not missing from our home, but did you know that it can become even better in taste? Keep reading and you will surely find something you didn't know, which will help you upgrade your experience and skills.

To achieve this, we must start from the beginning, namely the coffee beans and their varieties.

Coffee Varieties

The two most popular varieties are Arabica and Robusta, which cover the majority of global production and consumption.

• Arabica is grown at high altitudes and requires a lot of water. It produces a more distinctive and sweet taste with less acidity. Its notes vary depending on the country of cultivation, such as Brazil, Ethiopia, and Colombia, ranging from floral and chocolatey to sweet.
• Robusta, on the other hand, is grown at more accessible altitudes and is more bitter and acidic. It has less variation in notes from the producing countries and offers more consistent notes.

There are also the Excelsa and Liberica varieties.

If you prefer hot coffee like espresso or filter without sugar or cream, then the ideal choice is the Arabica variety. 

If you are a fan of cold coffee, instant, stronger espresso, or like adding sugar and cream, then the better choice is Robusta, due to its higher caffeine content.

Of course, for the beans to end up in our hands and cup, they need to be roasted (roasting in English). 

Roasting Levels

There are many roasting levels, but the three basic ones are Light, Medium, and Dark.

• Light: Light roasting, where the coffee acquires aroma and is ready for grinding. The notes and aromas are more pronounced.
• Medium: The bean cracks slightly, highlighting the variety's notes and the roasting flavor. It offers a balance of flavor and acidity, ideal for general use.
• Dark: The bean cracks a second time, releasing oils. The roasting flavor dominates, the acidity disappears, and the coffee is quite bitter.

Tips for brewing coffee

Let's take a look at a few tips on brewing different coffees and how we can improve the final result in our cup.

Espresso:

• Extraction Time: Aim for an extraction time of 25-30 seconds, with a 1:2 ratio. That is, for every 1g of coffee in the basket, the cup should be filled with 2g. A common example is 18g of coffee producing 36-40g of espresso in 30 seconds.

• Pressurized Basket: In budget machines, the basket is pressurized (with a double bottom) to ensure a satisfactory result, regardless of the precision of the coffee grind. This is ideal for users who use ready-made or store-bought ground coffee.

• Open-Style Basket: More expensive machines have a basket without a double bottom, for more direct coffee extraction. They are aimed at experienced users who experiment with different grinds and varieties to achieve the desired result.

Remember that in theory (and in practice), if you change the ground coffee to one from a different variety and roast, the grind is also affected, so tests will need to be done with the new blend. The average user may not notice these differences, but they definitely affect the taste.

Filter Coffee:

• Coffee grind: The right grind is important. If it is too finely ground, the coffee will be watery. If it is too coarsely ground, it will become bitter.
• Water temperature: The ideal temperature for optimal extraction is 90-96°C. In most filter coffee makers, the temperature is preset, but on some models it can be adjusted by the user.

Filter type:

• Paper filter: Requires a different grind than the mesh basket. Make sure you use the correct size for your coffee maker, so the filter stays in place and does not move with the water.
• Mesh basket: Offers a reusable option, but here too the coffee grind should be adjusted accordingly.

Grinding Coffee Beans:

Whatever your favorite coffee is, its taste will always be better when it is fresh.

To achieve this, the best option is to get the beans of your choice and a good grinder. When it’s time for coffee, you’ll put the dose into the grinder.

You will need to do some testing to combine the right grind level with the result you want, but it’s worth the effort!

Alternatively, the most common option for regular users is the ready-made packaged ones available on the market.

Coffee beans and ground coffee should be stored in airtight containers, in a cool environment, so as to preserve their freshness and aromas.