Weclome to the only Coffee Guide you will ever need!
Coffee is inarguably one of the most important parts of most people’s daily routine. If you have not always been a coffee connoisseur, you may feel a little left-in-the-dust when it comes to why people like it so much. Lucky for you, we are here to help. Join us on our coffee how-to journey, where we answer all your burning questions on why, how and what to make ordering that first drink a little bit easier.
First things first… what is Coffee?
Technically, it’s a fruit. Or rather, an edible fruit pit. The beans you know and love come from the seeds of the coffee plant, which are flowering bushes that produce coffee cherries. Once ripened, farmers pick and process the cherries, discarding all but the green bean on the inside. These beans are then dried and roasted to create the variations of brown coffee beans you recognize on the daily. From here, the beans are ground and brewed to create the famous beverage in every form. The taste of the coffee in your cup depends on a variety of factors, from the soil the plant grows in, to the altitude, temperature and amount of sunlight it receives. Almost every coffee bean in the world comes from “The Bean Belt” , which is located near the equator and provides the optimal conditions for growing the best tasting beans.
Light, Medium and Dark Roasts: What are They?
While it may be easier to lump all coffee into the same cup, there are countless details and flavors that make up the beans before you even brew them. This goes without even mentioning the infinite number of ways you can prepare and serve your favorite americanos and lattes. In order to understand what kind of coffee you might like; you need to know what the brew levels mean.
What is Light Roast Coffee?
Light roast coffee beans are processed until there are no oils remaining on the surface of the beans and are presented as a light brown-golden color. This type of coffee promotes a mellow body, bright flavor and sharp acidity making it recognizable as a light roast. During the roasting process, light roasted beans barely reach the first crack, maintaining the natural flavors inside the bean.
What is Medium Roast Coffee?
Medium roast coffee beans present a darker brown color than light roasts, holding very few of the oils visibly on the surface. Coffee roasted this way creates a balance between the acidity and the body of the flavor that helps to compliment the natural flavor of the beans.
What is Dark Roast Coffee?
Dark roast coffee beans are visibly coated in oils and are very dark brown, almost black in color. Most natural flavors are lost in the dark roasting process, giving dark roasted coffee beans a noticeably bitter and strong taste.
Is one roast better than the other?
Not at all. It comes down to personal preference and taste! We recommend trying whichever roast sounds interesting to you and going from there!
What are the Key Differences?
- Caffeine Content
- It may come as a surprise, but light roasted coffee has a higher caffeine content than both medium and dark roasts. This is due to more caffeine being burned away the longer that the beans roast. Dark roast coffee contains the least amount of caffeine, although the margin of difference is small. This is important to note for those with a sensitivity to caffeine or who are new to the coffee game. Medium roast is the most popular among regular coffee drinkers and is recommended for those who are just getting the hang of the drink.
- Flavor
- Lighter roasts are able to preserve more of the natural flavors of the bean during the roasting process, giving them distinct flavors once they land in your cup. Dark roast will show deeper and richer notes the longer they are roasted. Medium roasts are a nice middle ground between the two.
What Should I Order?
Deciding what to order or what you like in a coffee drink might be the hardest part. We’ve rounded up a few of the most common drink orders to give you an in on what exactly you’re signing up for.
- The infamous Espresso
- Espresso (sometimes known as a short black) consists of about 1 oz. of extremely concentrated coffee. What it lacks in size it makes up for in content, and shots of espresso are often added to lattes, chai and various drinks. Unless you are a fan of the bitter taste, plain espresso is not a walk in the park.
- The Americano
- Americanos are lovingly known as “diluted coffee”, made with one part espresso and two parts water. The water dilutes the espresso flavor while still maintaining a high level of caffeine intake for the drinker.
- The Cappuccino
- A crowd favorite, this creamy coffee drink sports a thick foam layer on top. Additional flavorings that can be added to maximize indulgence.
- Cafe Latte
- Cafe lattes (otherwise known as just a latte) are the best way to wade into the world of coffee. The strong acidity and bitterness of black coffee are diluted by your milk of choice, along with flavoring if desired.
- Mocha
- Chocolate and coffee… What could be better? Mochas utilize chocolate powder or syrup to produce a rich and creamy flavor that significantly cuts the acidity of the espresso.
- Iced Coffee
- Iced coffee is potentially the most popular version of coffee in current culture. Typically a combination of coffee and milk or water, most iced coffees are flavored or derive from the drinks mentioned above.
- Macchiato
- The Macchiato is a combination of espresso and steamed milk, typically served hot. While it is similar to a latte, the ratio of milk to espresso is less in a Macchiato.
But, let’s say you order a black coffee. Plain, simple, no frills. What then?
You’ll probably be asked to choose a brew method, but don’t freak out. Here’s a cheat sheet.
- The Pour-Over
- Pour-Over coffee is a manual method of brewing, focused on creating coffee by hand. Using this method is great for experimentation at home as it eliminates the need for a machine. This does, however, allow room for human error if you or the barista are unfamiliar with the process. While perfecting the pour-over method certainly takes practice, it creates crowd-favorite coffee every time.
- The French Press
- The French Press is a portable coffee-making machine that requires no electricity. Like both a plunger and a strainer, this method combines the acts of brewing, pressing and straining into one small container. Similarly to the pour-over method mentioned above, the French Press is a manual technique that takes patience and skill, but can be perfected pretty quickly.
- The Auto-Drip Brewer
- You have probably seen an auto-drip. Your mom probably has one, as does the breakroom in your office. In fact, most coffee-pots on the market today operate on the Auto-Drip method. Available from brands like Mr. Coffee and Kureig, Auto-Drip Brewers are excellent choices for those with big ideas and little time.
Why should You drink coffee?
It is good for you. Seriously. Coffee not only helps power the brilliant minds of the world, it powers bodies, too. There are countless health benefits associated with the popular beverage that add more allure (as if we needed more convincing.)
Coffee and Lifespan… Yes, they Correlate.
Not convinced, yet? Well, the act of consuming coffee on a regular basis can help you live a longer and healthier life. Along with the preventative measures mentioned in detail above, coffee also lends your body building blocks that ensure maximum health and wellness.
Drinking Coffee Can Help with Your Hot-Girl Summer
Whether you need that extra boost to get yourself up and to the gym or something to jumpstart your metabolism, coffee has you covered at every angle. How can coffee provide you with the motivation to make healthy changes?
- Coffee can work to improve your energy levels.
- Perhaps most well known in social and media circles for its caffeine content, there is no surprise that coffee can provide an all-too-necessary wakeup call on an early morning. Caffeine, a stimulant, is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Once you take a sip, the caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream. It travels to your brain and blocks neurotransmitters which increases dopamine (the happy chemical we can’t get enough of) in the body. This process is what wakes you up and gives you the motivation to go slay your day.
- Coffee can help you burn fat.
- Caffeine is found in nearly every single fat burning supplement on the market, as it is one of the only natural substances proven to aid in burning fat. Studies have shown caffeine to boost a person’s metabolic rate by anywhere from 3% to 11%. In people who are overweight, caffeine is said to boost fat burning in the body by 10% and by 29% in people who are leaner.
- Coffee can improve physical performance.
- Headed for a midday workout? Or maybe just a walk? Drink a cup before you go. The chemicals in caffeine stimulate your nervous system, signaling the fat cells to work harder in breaking down your body fat. Not only this, but caffeine also increases the adrenaline levels in your blood. This prepares your body for a hardcore sweat session and enables you to work harder, for much longer.
Have more coffee-related questions burning a hole in your mind? Let us know! We are happy to help answer or explain any questions or concerns you may have as you dip your toes into the wonderful world of coffee.