Industrial grades
The main varieties grown commercially are two varieties: Arabica and Robusta. Their share of the total coffee market is 98%. The remaining 2% comes from Liberica, Excelsa and Arabusta.
Arabica beans have an oblong shape. On a smooth surface you can see a curved line in the shape of the letter “S”. Robusta has round beans. They contain large amounts of caffeine. The fruits of plants grown in different countries differ in their taste.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
The manufacturer of ground coffee mixes uses at least 3 varieties of beans in their preparation. There are no strict regulations defining their composition. It depends only on the imagination of the manufacturer.
How can I find out more about the coffee shop?
If you want to determine whether your chosen establishment is worth continuing to visit, order a regular black coffee first. This is what Garrett Oden, a former barista and cafe owner and now a teacher at JavaPresse Coffee Co., advises.
When visiting a new cafe, he always orders a regular cup of black coffee, prepared in a coffee machine. Garrett believes that if a barista can qualitatively prepare this simple drink, not embellished with foam, powdered sugar and cream, then this cafe takes the preparation of all dishes and drinks seriously and responsibly.
Which one to choose for a coffee machine
The choice of grain mix depends on taste preferences and the type of machine in which the coffee will be brewed. They have different operating principles.
Each coffee machine has an instruction manual. Manufacturers indicate in it the types of coffee recommended for the device.
In what form do you use coffee for brewing?
GroundIn capsules
You can experiment and make your own blend of different types of coffee to brew the drink. A significant part of coffee machines are not designed to prepare flavored, caramelized varieties. This may damage the device.
Coffee is used for brewing:
- Ground . Designed for geyser, drip, carob type coffee machines and French presses. They prepare a drink only from freshly ground coffee.
- In capsules . Suitable for all types of devices. The capsule is designed to prepare one serving of an invigorating drink and has a balanced composition. These raw materials are used to brew cappuccino, Americano, lungo and latte.
- In pods . Ground coffee is pressed into tablet form. They are used for pod coffee makers and some carob machines that have an adapter.
What's next
You've read it all, what's next:
- Go to the coffee shops on the list of good ones and get coffee. Take different ones all the time: cappuccino, black in hario, flat white, raf. Don't add anything extra like sugar or extra milk. Drink as they do. Walk around with a notepad and write down what you drank, how it was brewed, what you liked and didn’t like, and give it a rating.
- After a week, take out your notebook, flip through it and see what you like.
- Think about how you can prepare what you like and what you need for it: buy a Turk, AeroPress, funnel or espresso machine.
- Start experimenting and find the taste you like.
Best options for coffee machines
To brew coffee in the machines, medium and ultra-fine grind beans are used. The first type of raw material is suitable for most coffee machines. It is considered an ideal option for horn-type devices. Ultra-fine grinding materials are used only for espresso coffee machines. Medium-fine grinding raw materials reveal the taste of grains well.
Lavazza
The Italian variety is used to make espresso, cappuccino and latte.
May have several degrees of roasting of beans:
- Scandinavian - light;
- Viennese - average;
- French – strong;
- Italian – super strong (the beans are roasted to the maximum permissible dark color).
The variety has hermetically sealed packaging that well preserves the taste properties of the product and its aroma. The most popular variety among coffee machine owners is the Qualità Oro variety.
Advantages:
- has subspecies with different degrees of roasting of beans;
- good taste, pleasant aroma;
- high quality sealed packaging.
The disadvantages include high cost. It ranges from 300 to 1200 rubles per package. One of the most expensive blends is Lavazza Caffe Espresso.
Reviews
Marina G. | Sergey V. |
Fragrant coffee with a pleasant aftertaste. The disadvantage is the lack of a lock on the pack. After opening it, the seal of the package is broken. This coffee should not be stored for a long time. | I drink it in the morning with great pleasure. Invigorates. Very pleasant aroma. |
MOLINARI
Italian variety, but the brand belongs to the Greeks. It is intended for coffee machines only. It has good value for money. This is a mix of Arabica and Robusta. The drink has 12 subspecies. Some of them are available in pods and capsules. The latter are intended for Lavazza and Nespresso coffee machines.
MOLINARI is packaged in special cans and sealed bags. The taste has notes of chocolate and honey. The tart drink has a delicate aftertaste.
Advantages:
- optimal quality/price ratio for premium coffee;
- great taste.
The cost of the product is from 700 rubles per package.
Reviews
Valery Zh. | Maria P. |
The taste is excellent. You get pleasure from the first sip, but for me it’s a little expensive. | We use this variety for brewing in an office coffee machine. Everyone loves the taste and aroma of the drink. We are not going to change the variety yet. |
illy
One of the most famous Italian varieties. The mix consists of 9 varieties of selected Arabica beans brought from Africa, America and India. The Guatemalan Arabica included in the mix gives the drink a light chocolate flavor. The variety has several subspecies with varying degrees of roasting of the beans.
Advantages:
- good quality;
- different degrees of roasting;
- can be used for making coffee in machines and Turks.
The disadvantage is the small range of subspecies. Cost from 420 rubles per package.
Reviews
Evgeniy F. | Ivan M. |
The variety is ideal for making espresso. The drink has a soft, delicate taste. | I brew illy in a coffee machine. The result is a strong drink with a pronounced aroma. |
PAULIG
Country of origin: Finland. The variety is a mass variety. Despite this, it has a pleasant taste and aroma. PAULIG subspecies have different degrees of roasting of beans. The most popular is PAULIG Mokka.
It is prepared from medium roast beans. There is no bitterness in the drink. The taste is rich, the aftertaste with chocolate notes. Medium grind coffee is used for brewing in the machines.
Advantages:
- wide range of flavors;
- good quality.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the brand.
Reviews
Vasily U. | Victor G. |
The drink has a rich taste and smells pleasant. The big minus is the lack of a lock on the package. | To brew strong coffee, an increased dosage is required. |
PELLINI
Real Italian espresso. The drink has a pronounced aroma. Mixes do not contain flavorings. The brand is intended for brewing coffee in geyser-type machines. Refers to premium products. The line is represented by 4 main tastes. Has notes of chocolate and toasted bread.
The composition is 100% Arabica. It is recommended to drink the finished drink without sugar. The product has a certificate confirming its kosher status. The most popular type is Pellini Top.
Advantages:
- good quality:
- Ideal for brewing espresso in coffee machines.
The main disadvantage is the high cost.
Reviews
Tatiana B. | Svetlana I. |
Very tasty coffee. Convenient packaging. | Good coffee, but a bit expensive. |
MOSCOW COFFEE HOUSE ON PAYAKH
A Russian-made brand of high quality. The manufacturer produces its products from its own raw materials. He has coffee plantations in Colombia and the Dominican Republic. The coffee production plant is located in Cameroon.
The products included in the brand's line have various formats. Capsules are used to prepare the drink in Nespresso coffee machines. In total, the line contains 7 product options. The brand belongs to the premium class. The strongest variety is “Tsar Peter”.
Advantages:
- excellent balanced taste;
- pronounced aroma.
The main disadvantage is the high cost.
Reviews
Philip A. | Mikhail Ts. |
Expensive, but delicious. | I like the strong, bitter taste of the drink. |
DEMME
An Italian premium product widely purchased by coffee shops and restaurants around the world. The mix is prepared on the basis of robusta. The drink made from DEMME has a strong, rich taste and stable foam. The capsule product is intended for Nespresso and Lavazza Espresso Point machines. The product belongs to the premium class.
Advantages:
- great taste;
- rich aroma;
- possibility to cook in a Turkish oven.
The disadvantage is the high cost.
Reviews
Vadim T. | Olga N. |
Attractive packaging design, good taste and pronounced aroma. | I love this variety for its strength and rich aroma. |
L`OR
French premium coffee brand. There is production in Russia. The plant is located in the Leningrad region. L'OR Espresso capsules are available for Nespresso coffee machines. On the packaging of all types of product, the strength and softness of the blend are indicated on a 12-point scale. The line of bean coffee contains 2 types with medium and intense roasting of beans.
Advantages:
- harmonious taste and aroma;
- affordable price;
- attractive packaging design.
Reviews
Gennady O. | Veronica S. |
At a budget price, coffee has a luxurious taste. | I use capsules for my coffee machine. I like that you can experiment with taste. |
SEGAFREDO
The Italian brand is well suited for making espresso. Has a wide range of products. The capsule version of coffee is compatible only with the Espresso 1 machine. The line contains mixes with an unforgettable taste. Despite the luxury taste, SEGAFREDO has an affordable price for a wide range of customers.
Advantages:
- affordable price;
- rich taste and aroma.
Reviews
Nikolay P. | Matvey R. |
I make coffee in a geyser. Great taste. The drink is neither bitter nor sour. | The grinding is suitable for a carob coffee machine. The coffee has a pleasant, mild taste. |
HAUSBRANDT
An Italian brand widely purchased by high-end restaurants. Many coffee connoisseurs prefer this variety. The basis of the mix is Arabica and Robusta beans collected on African plantations.
Coffee for restaurants is packaged in large packages. The brand's line consists of products with a wide range of tastes: from soft to strong with bitterness.
Advantages:
- luxury taste;
- pronounced aroma.
The disadvantage is the high cost.
Reviews
Maxim H. | Dmitry L. |
The taste is incredible. The aroma is rich. | The packaging has a lock. This is a big plus. A quality drink. |
Grinding
To understand why grinding is critical when using a carob coffee maker, you need to know how it works. Ground coffee is poured into a cone, lightly compacted with distemper to form a tablet, and then the part is put in place and the device is turned on. Hot water under pressure passes through the thickness of the coffee powder, saturated with its taste and aroma.
Cooking a standard portion takes 23-25 seconds. During this time, 30 ml of strong espresso flows into the cup. The grind size affects the taste of the drink, its appearance and preparation time.
Finely ground coffee is best for a carob coffee maker. Firstly, the drink turns out rich, but without a burnt smell. Secondly, the filter effectively retains particles of this size, so there is almost no sediment.
Fine grinding is considered universal and is not difficult to find. Usually the packs have the inscription “Espresso” or “For carob coffee makers.” It’s easy to recognize fine grinding: it looks like fine “extra” salt, but if you rub it between your fingers, you can feel the graininess (like semolina).
Fine (“to dust”) grinding is not suitable: the drink will take longer to prepare, will be cloudy and overly bitter. Coarse grinding will not brew, and the coffee will turn out watery and unaromatic, without a hint of the characteristic foam.
- Don't miss: How to make foamy coffee at home
You can grind your own coffee beans. A coffee grinder with a rotary blade will not work for several reasons:
- It does not produce a homogeneous fraction; all the same, some grains will turn out to be large, and some will turn into dust. As a result, the coffee tablet will turn out to be loose, the spill will occur unevenly, and the drink will not be the most delicious;
- During operation of a conventional rotary coffee grinder, the knife heats up and burns the coffee, making it bitter.
It is better to use a device with ceramic millstones, which allows you to adjust the grind size and does not overheat the grain. A homogeneous fraction provides a balanced taste.
Coffee makers with a built-in coffee grinder grind the beans to a consistency that is ideal for a particular device.
TOP 5 coffee drinks
According to anonymous statistics we collected, Americano is still the most popular drink among guests of traditional coffee shops. Next come latte, cappuccino and espresso. The top five most preferred coffee drinks are rounded out by the fashionable flat white and rough, but they are still chosen 18 times less often than Americano.
In Ukrainian and Russian coffee shops of the third wave, preference is given to lata, cappuccino, espresso, filter coffee, flat white and raf.
In all coffee shops, tea is sold 39 times worse than coffee. Of course, if it's even on the menu.
Have a calorie-free holiday
There are many coffee-based drinks with the addition of incredibly tasty ingredients, such as whipped cream, all kinds of syrups, chocolate, caramel and others. This composition is very high in calories, so many visitors rarely add it to their order. It turns out that there is a drink that will delight those with a sweet tooth and will not add centimeters to your waist.
Emily Teels, a former barista at Starbucks, recommends the holiday iced coffee, which has become incredibly popular this summer. It includes:
- Two servings of sugar-free peppermint syrup.
- Low-fat mocha sauce.
- A small amount of vanilla sweet cream as a topping for the drink.
This composition will satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a minimum of calories.
Trust a professional
Another way to get a quality drink is to trust the advice of your barista. So says Ellie Karen, a barista herself and director of Partners Coffee, a coffee business training company that has both its own online coffee store and a caffeine chain.
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She herself prefers black filtered coffee, but in an unfamiliar cafe she always orders the drink that a professional recommends to her. The trick is that the employee, as a rule, offers the type of coffee that he either likes to drink or makes it well. This way you will get a truly excellent cup of drink, made with love and inspiration.
Sick stomach and coffee can go together
The same Felton Jones gives advice to those who suffer from indigestion or high acidity in it. You can afford a cup of delicious drink by choosing coffee made from darker roasted beans. A 2010 study by the American Chemical Society confirmed that deep frying produces a compound that can reduce stomach acid.
To do this, you should give preference to espresso or a drink brewed from French roasted beans.
Cortado instead of espresso
Do you like the aroma and richness of espresso, but are put off by its bitterness? Order yourself a cortado, says Meg Semeniuk, manager of Miami-based OTL Coffee.
This is the same espresso, only diluted 1:1 with hot milk. The latter will soften the bitterness and remove the sourness, making the drink softer in taste, but maintaining its aroma.
These are the tips from professional baristas, using which it will be easier for you to decide on the choice of coffee. On the other hand, you can gradually try all types of coffee-based drinks to find your favorite one for the morning, for autumn, winter, summer, good or bad mood.
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