Selecting the Bean

Your mission is to unlock all of the treasured flavors and aromas from the world's finest coffee beans. Tradition and nature demand that you create the perfect combination of bean, grind, water, and method.

A coffee bean is a coffee bean, right? Wrong. The two major species of coffee plant, Coffea Arabica and Coffea Robusta, yield two very unique beans. Arabica beans, those mostly used for specialty coffees, give you the richest brew, distinct aromas, and fill your drink with a delightfully mild and fruity taste. Robusta, the bean behind lower-quality coffees, is very strong and bitter, but short on smell.

By blending the characteristics of both beans, you can develop remarkable coffee creations.

When selecting coffee beans, look for dull beans rather than shiny beans; the latter denote signs of lower quality. Very dark beans are those that have bean heavily roasted and yield a bitter taste. The brighter beans - which are not as heavily roasted - will emit more aromas. Once again, blending various types is the best way to cheer up your tastebuds.

Most coffees are actually blends of beans from different origins. The reason for blends is to give a balance and harmony by marrying the characteristics of different beans. Thus, stronger beans are mixed with milder beans, more acidic beans are mixed with chocolate-tasting beans, etc.

Quality Water Makes a Difference