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Have you ever wondered how coffee gets those fruity notes or chocolate tones given in their descriptions?

Well, coffee is made up of more than a thousand flavor compounds!

Let’s start with the basics of where flavor comes from in coffee…

Origin

A coffee tree and the beans it produces are affected by the soil’s mineral content, the surrounding plants and trees, the weather, and other environmental factors.

To give you an idea the distinct sharpness of a Kenyan coffee can be traced directly to the amount of phosphorus in the soil.

Different regions have different mineral content in their soil and may have different vegetation growing amongst the coffee trees.

Available Nutrition

Nutrients are vital for overall coffee quality. To ensure the soil is nutrient-dense some producers, grow a diverse variety of plants, as well as ‘feed the soil’ either by compost or by adding other organic materials directly to the ground.

Not only are organic materials needed but the mineral composition is important as well, hence why coffee grows so well in volcanic soil. Specifically, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, zinc, and boron are all contributors to developing flavor.

Weather & Elevation

Weather and elevation are very closely tied together, in that the weather changes as the elevation changes. More rainfall happens and cooler nights occur as you go up a mountain. The higher elevations often lead to climatic conditions that are ideal for specialty coffee with large variation in temperature from hot days to cool nights, forcing a slower maturation of the coffee cherry and increased flavor and sugar development.

Another note in terms of climate is that steep topography is ideal. It helps with drainage (a coffee tree loves water, but its roots do not want to be sitting in it) and increases the sun exposure of each individual tree.

Removing the bean from the cherry

Post-harvest coffee processing seems to be a hot topic in coffee right now. The way coffee is processed can drastically affect the flavor of the resulting coffee. The basic ‘styles of processing’ are Natural, Honey, Washed, and Wet-Hulled.

Even within each of these methods, there are variations that affect the final cup. For instance, in the washed process, how long the cherry stays on the seed for, how long the coffee is fermented for (if it is), and the temperature at which it was fermented, even the chemistry of the water used can affect the flavor of a coffee.

Example of Natural Processed where the bean ferments in the cherry

Drying/Milling

The main factors are how evenly a coffee dries and the length of time the drying process takes. Coffee can take anywhere from a few days to a month and a half depending on the processing style, the weather, and access to resources like mechanical dryers, solar dryers, or raised beds. Proper drying allows for sugars to be preserved as well as ensuring that the green coffee will stay full of flavor for a prolonged period of time, as opposed to a quick-to-stale coffee.

Roasting

The roasting process drastically changes coffee’s flavor attributes. Coffee goes from this hay-smelling green bean to a brown bean with a wide variety of aromatic compounds and flavors. Roasting is extremely complex in that hundreds of chemical reactions are happening during the process.

To put it simply these different chemical reactions are what bring out the fruity/floral notes or those chocolate/caramel tones.

This is why at Java Planet we don’t take a coffee and roast it dark for the sake of having a dark roast coffee from a certain region. We take the time to roast the coffee in several ways and see which one brings about the best flavor.

 Thank you to Zoey Thorson Contributing Author 

Our Coffee Gift Set gives you a wide range of flavor profiles for an interesting sensory experience.

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There’s not much that beats a fresh cup of coffee, either in the morning to get you on the move or in the afternoon when you need that extra pick-me-up. But with summer’s heat already upon us, sipping your usual hot cup may not be the way you want to go. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Try cold brew coffee! It can be quite surprising how enjoyable it is. We don’t mean dropping a few ice cubes into your usual brewed coffee. Nope, real cold brew coffee isn’t a watery version of coffee. Real cold brew is full of flavor and is delicious. And making it in a French Press gives you what many think is the best coffee you can drink. The French Press steeps the coffee to give you a smooth, full-flavored, and refreshing brew with a unique, rounded flavor.

Cold Brew coffee is also less acidic than regular coffee because of the longer brewing method.

IT’S VERY EASY! 

Just:

• Grind

• Pour (water)

• Plunge

• Enjoy!

BUT HERE ARE A FEW EXTRA TIPS TO MAKING THE PERFECT COLD BREW IN YOUR FRENCH PRESS…

• Always use coarse grinds for French Press coffee to get the best flavor without getting the gritty bits in your cup.
  

• Cold-brew coffee teases out the subtle flavor in the beans so to get a delicious cup of coffee.
  

• Don’t use cheap beans! Your coffee grounds must be of good quality and fresh, otherwise, you will end up with a cold brew that is very tasteless.
  

• Balance is the key to a perfect cup of French Press coffee. Use too much or too little water, and your coffee just won’t taste right. So fill your French Press with a mixture of water and coffee in a ratio of about 1 cup of ground coffee to about 4 cups of water.

      Water to Coffee Ratios:

      4:1 Regular Cold Brew

      3:1 Strong Cold Brew

      2:1 Cold Brew Concentrate

• Stir it up to mix, and put in the fridge, or let it sit out on a counter, for at least 12 hours. Once brewing is complete, don’t leave your coffee in the French Press. Plunge the French Press and pour it into a carafe so it won’t continue to brew and grow bitter.

• Pour over ice, sweeten* and add creamer (coconut creamer has great flavor!) or milk if you like, and you’re set.

• Properly brewed cold brew coffee can last for a good while, so you can make enough to last you a couple weeks before you have to brew again. 

• Get ready for an exceptional taste!

*You can make a syrup with warm water and sugar to add to your cold coffee - or use sugar alternatives such as stevia and monk fruit.

To get beautifully prepared coffee in a wonderful French Press, check out ours – Java Planet’s Stainless Steel French Press. It makes your coffee come out perfectly every time - hot or cold brew!

TIP: Replace that expensive high-calorie afternoon pick-me-up by making cold brew with one of our Organic Flavored Coffees! Available coarse ground!

SHOP NOW

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Are you one of those guys that get up grumpy and bleary-eyed, needing your morning chug of Joe to get out the door with a spring in your step?
Well, beyond the usual pick-me-up coffee offers, there are heaps of real health benefits you get each time you get your morning brew or fill up your mug during the day.

We’ve put together a list of 6 of the top science-backed arguments why you should have that cup of coffee.

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 The amount of people who drink coffee around the world is truly staggering. In fact, it is reported that over 1 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide each and every day. People drink it for the boost of energy it provides, as well as the delicious taste. Coffee even has the potential to improve your mood. These are some of the reasons why you are likely never more than a few feet away from someone enjoying a coffee when you’re out and about.

Whether you like to try new products and techniques after visiting sites like Owly Choice or prefer to stick to what you know and love, there is no doubt most of us love coffee. However, the coffee that you drink every single day is likely far different from what someone across the world is drinking. Every area has its own preferences, traditions, and rituals. 

Learning the difference in coffee preferences and traditions across the world can not only be interesting but can also help you if you plan on traveling. With that in mind let’s take a look at how a few countries and areas enjoy their coffee.

Italy

While espressos are enjoyed everywhere, nowhere does them better than their home in Italy. The espresso machine was created in Italy and the beverage is still among the most popular ways to consume caffeine in the country. Many Italians start their day with Espresso to get their juices flowing.

For those unfamiliar, espresso is a small cup of (usually strong) coffee made to order with a very thin layer of cream on top. They can be made with a range of different beans and flavors, and many Italians enjoy them at the bar of a cafe. Of course, many other types of coffee, such as the cappuccino, are enjoyed throughout Italy.

Brazil

Being that it is the largest producer of coffee on the planet, we definitely had to take a trip to this country. Coffee in Brazil is quite strong and concentrated, so even a small cup can go a long way. Much of the coffee in the country is also brewed together with sugar, so you may not need to include any extra due to this pre-sweetened nature.

No matter where you are, or what time of the day it is, finding a great cup of coffee in Brazil will be incredibly easy. Expect big flavors and chocolate notes from most of the many beans in Brazil. Because of the massive production of coffee in Brazil, the country will surely have coffee for even the pickiest of drinkers.

Ethiopia

While you might not know this, Ethiopia is the initial birthplace of coffee. As you could imagine, coffee is still an incredibly important part of Ethiopian life. In particular, they are known for their ritualistic and traditional ceremonies. In fact, the ritual of brewing and enjoying coffee can sometimes take multiple hours.

The Buna (Ethiopian coffee ceremony) begins by roasting, grinding and filtering the beans right in front of customers. What follows is three separate brewing cycles and then salt, butter or sugar is often added. This ritual reflects the love for coffee that the nation has, as well as showing the true craftsmanship that goes into a great cup of coffee. If you are a coffee fanatic, it could be a bucket list experience to enjoy one of the ceremonies.

In conclusion, we hope that this trip around the globe has helped you learn a little bit more about how different cultures and countries enjoy their coffee. While everywhere is different, we all share one thing in common, and that is our collective love of coffee.

by Ashley Lipman

Try our organic coffee sampler and travel the world through your cup!

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