Which type of coffee is better - beans, ground, instant: list, name, rating. How to choose good coffee in a store: coffee quality requirements

How to choose good coffee? Brand ratings, customer reviews, advice - everything to make the right choice.

Millions of people around the world start their morning with a cup of aromatic coffee. And, probably, each person imagines the ideal taste of this drink differently: a gentle girl will probably like soft coffee with chocolate notes, while a rushing bank employee will probably like the simple taste of invigorating espresso. Therefore, in this article we will try not only to list coffee brands by popularity, but also to reveal the distinctive features of each of them.

Rating of coffee varieties: which one should you choose for a good morning?

The best coffee beans in Russia and in the world: list, names, varieties, brands, rating

To begin with, we will try to clarify and determine the criteria by which you can navigate when buying coffee beans. So, first of all, this is the variety of coffee beans and the country in which they were grown.

All types of coffee are divided into two large groups, these are:

• Arabica (60-70% of the world market). This type of coffee is endowed with a complex taste and aroma. Depending on the characteristics of the variety, cultivation, roasting technology and even storage conditions, taste qualities may change and acquire certain shades. The main exporter of Arabica is Latin American countries, but it is also growing in Asia and Africa
• Robusta (30-40% of world sales). Strong coffee with a rich bitter taste. Offered to consumers both in pure form and as part of coffee mixes, where both Arabica and Robusta are present.

This is how coffee is grown

Bean coffee rating

The Russian market offers coffee beans grown and packaged all over the world, and the most popular brands are:

1. Lavazza - bean coffee of this brand has already taken root in the domestic market. Consumers note good value for money. The brand's line has completely different options, from classic espresso from different Arabica varieties to mixes with honey and floral notes. This coffee is produced in Italy, raw materials are purchased all over the world. The brand is also popular in Western countries
2. Pauling
   is a coffee originally from Finland, which is also popular not only in Russia, but also in Europe. Widely represented in the retail chain, there are options both in the mid-price segment and in the premium class. According to consumers, this coffee has well-roasted, fairly dark beans, it has sourness and is not overly acidic, and boasts a rich taste and aroma
3. Jardin is Arabica in all variations; the manufacturer offers both mixes of beans of different varieties of varying degrees of roasting, and single-origin coffee. This brand occupies an average price niche. The taste of this coffee has already created an excellent reputation among Russian gourmets.
4. Kimbo is a brand that is gaining more and more popularity. This Italian brand is over 50 years old and its range contains a huge number of products - these include pure Arabica of different varieties, Arabica with Robusta, and options with chocolate and citrus notes.
5. Carte Noire - many call it the best. A blend of several Arabica varieties grown in different countries

The best coffee beans

Roasting coffee beans

One of the most important processes in the long journey to a cup of coffee is roasting the beans. This skill determines how the aromatic and taste qualities of the coffee beans will appear.

When frying:

• green grains lose water under the influence of high temperatures, but their sizes increase;
• sucrose becomes caramel (green turns brown);
• kafeol is formed - a substance responsible for its special aroma;
• structural changes occur and the release of essential oils to the surface of the grains.

Roasting happens:

• Scandinavian type (very mild) – the grains turn from green to beige, light brown, and are distinguished by their tenderness and mild taste;
• American type (medium) – the grains acquire a brown color, a slight bitterness is felt in the taste;
• Viennese type - the presence of essential oils is felt, dark grains shine, sweetness appears in the taste;
• French type (strong degree) - the result is a chocolate shade of grains, brightness of taste with a clearly noticeable note of bitterness;
• Italian type (super strong degree) - the output is black oily grains with a velvety richness of expressive taste. This is that coffee shop classic washed down with a cup of water.

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The most delicious coffee beans, ground, instant

When purchasing coffee gourmets, they often also pay attention to the country in which the coffee beans were grown , because the taste of the same variety from different countries can vary dramatically. The climate of areas located no further than ten degrees south or north of the equator is suitable for growing coffee. The plant is exported to more than 50 countries in the world, but there are only a few major exporters of coffee beans.

Countries where coffee is grown

• Brazil (grows about 30% of coffee beans). Recognized world leader. The taste of Brazilian Arabica is a classic; this coffee is moderately strong, leaves behind a pleasant aftertaste and has chocolate notes. But coffee connoisseurs may find it simple
• Vietnam (about 14% of world exports). Robusta is mainly grown in Vietnam, and many who have tasted coffee directly in this country note its unique, unlike anything else taste. Vietnamese coffee is one of the most balanced in the world: it is moderately strong, has a rich flavor composition, and boasts chocolate, caramel, almond and vanilla notes. However, in Russia it is extremely difficult to find pure Vietnamese coffee in retail stores.

Coffee harvesting in Vietnam

• Colombia (produces approximately 10% of the world's coffee). This is the only country that sells coffee under its own brand of the same name. High quality is guaranteed by government control at all stages of production, from cultivation to packaging. The most famous variety bears the name of the country's capital - Bagota; other varieties of Colombian Arabica are also popular: Colombia Excelso, Popea Excelso, Narino and others
• Indonesia (6% of sales). Basically, coffee grown in Indonesia is Robusta, which is mixed with other types of coffee during roasting. If you see on the packaging that it contains Indonesian coffee, then you can expect that the drink will contain rich, tart notes. Indonesian robusta grows on amazingly beautiful islands, in particular Java and Sumatra, with their special nature and soil composition, so the coffee beans grown here are unique in their own way
• Ethiopia (4% of coffee exports). One of the poorest African countries and the fifth largest coffee exporter in the world. In this country, Arabica is grown, which is valued in different parts of the Earth, but in tribes and among the poor, people cannot afford to drink high-quality coffee from beans that they grow themselves; they are content with a drink made from plant stems and production waste. In Ethiopian markets you can see green coffee sold in bags, but exporting unroasted coffee from the country is prohibited by law

A fragment of the program “Heads and Tails”: this is how coffee is sold on the market in Ethiopia.
And this is what standard bags of coffee intended for export from Brazil look like. The weight of one such standard bag is 60 kg.

Bean coffee from Brazil

Despite the fact that the leaders in coffee production are the equatorial countries listed above, the palm in the sale of finished products is held by the United States and Western European countries, which, in fact, are resellers. Among the largest producers of ready-made packaged coffee are also such developed countries as Germany and Japan. Coffee mixes released under one or another well-known brand sometimes contain beans from different parts of the world. Nevertheless, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, the variety and area in which they were grown are always indicated on the packaging.

Coffee on the shelves of the Kaluga supermarket

• Nescafe is a European-American brand that pioneered the mass production of instant instant coffee. During the Second World War, all the products of the plant located in the United States went to supply the army. Subsequently, people liked the coffee, which was easy to prepare, so much that currently about 65% of coffee is sold in instant form
• Kimbo, Lavazza, Danesi - all these brands come from Italy. Italy is one of the largest coffee producers in the world. And the quality of the drink produced in this country is highly appreciated by critics and gourmets
• Carte Noire - French coffee. France is a worthy competitor to Italy in the European market
• Davidoff, Grandos, Tchibo - German brands, German quality
• Ambassador is a brand originally from Sweden.
• Egoiste - quality Swiss coffee
• Cafemania, CAFE Esmeralda, Esmeralda are trademarks under which Colombian coffee is sold
• Jockey , Moscow coffee shop on shares, Jardin, LEBO - all these are trademarks of coffee produced in Russia, and this list is not complete. So the domestic manufacturer also has something to offer customers

Coffee "Black Card"

The best ground coffee in Russia and in the world: varieties, brands

As soon as you open a package of ground coffee, an incomparable, pleasant aroma begins to spread throughout the kitchen. Fans of this drink are people with a delicate taste, who appreciate its rich flavor range, but lack time for preparation. Ground coffee is a compromise between grain and instant coffee.

How to Choose the Best Ground Coffee

Ground coffee rating

If you want to try some new brand, then our rating will help you make the right choice. Please note that the price-quality ratio is taken into account, that is, the most purchased brands are in the first positions. To get an idea of ​​the taste of the product, read the information in brackets - this is the average rating given in numerous customer reviews.

1. Egoiste (4.5 points out of 5) . Currently, the most popular product from the manufacturer is ground coffee Egoiste Noir. Coffee beans for it are grown in the highlands and plains of Africa and dried in the open air.

Ground coffee rating: No. 1 Egoiste

2. Lebo (4 points out of 5) . Good options under this brand are Lebo Exclusive and Lebo "Arabica", the beans for the first are grown exclusively in Colombia, for the second they are brought from different parts of the world. In contrast, only half of buyers respond positively to the Lebo Gold product, although the idea itself deserves attention - it is ground coffee that can be brewed directly in a cup at an affordable price.

Ground coffee rating: #2 Lebo

3. Tchibo (4.4 points out of 5) . Good invigorating coffee, which perfectly helps to wake up in the morning, is quite strong, without sourness and with a strong aroma. The Tchibo brand is interesting because on the Russian market there are both products produced in Poland and products imported from Germany.

Coffee rating: #3 Tchibo

4. Grandos (4 points out of 5) . Ground coffee grown in Colombia and roasted in Germany. Pure Arabica with a fruity note and slight sourness.

Coffee rating: No. 4 Grandos

5. Lavazza (4.8 points out of 5) . Among the brand's products, everyone can choose something to their liking. Lavazza Carmencita is a coffee with a chocolate flavor that is practically not bitter. Lavazza Espresso is an invigorating, bitter coffee of high quality. Lavazza Oro is sweet, bitter, and slightly sour at the same time. In Lavazza Crema, Arabica is mixed with Robusta, this coffee contains pleasant chocolate and nut notes, and the cup produces foam, which many people love so much.

Ground coffee rating: No. 5 Lavazza

6. Davidoff (4.8 points out of 5) . Exquisite coffee with a subtle aroma, made in Germany. The composition includes not only raw materials from Latin America and Africa, but also grains grown on the Pacific Islands. This coffee is not very common, but is appreciated by many who have tried it.

Coffee rating: #6 Davidoff

7. Kimbo (4.9 points out of 5) . Excellent ground coffee from Naples. Available in two versions: Aroma Gold - with lightly roasted beans and a mild taste, and Espresso Napoletano - with dark roasting and bitterness.

Coffee rating: No. 7 Kimbo ground coffee

Production, blending and roasting of coffee

Major global producers control the quality of coffee beans at every stage of production. The grains undergo careful selection even at the time of purchasing raw materials from the plantations. And such famous brands as Lavazza monitor quality even during the ripening of coffee berries, providing support to farmers. Next, the grains go to the manufacturer’s plant, where they are checked again, and then sent to production. Each manufacturer has its own unique recipe for mixing different types and varieties of coffee. Each has its own gradation of degree of roasting and roasting method. These details are the most important in the manufacture of mixtures. This information is kept in the strictest confidence, which is why you will not find detailed information on the composition on the packaging of the best elite coffee producers. Another reason why the manufacturer does not indicate the exact composition of the mixture is the consistency of taste. After all, if you liked a certain mixture from a particular manufacturer, next time you will want to get that taste again. But the taste of the beans and the volume of coffee harvest are not constant and experts have to find a way out by changing the proportions or using other types of coffee so that in the end you get the taste of coffee that you expected and are used to.

The best natural instant coffee in Russia and in the world: varieties, brands

1. Egoiste (4.7 points out of 5) . Quality instant coffee made from Colombian coffee beans and produced in Switzerland. Sold in the form of crystals, in which grains of ground coffee are hidden under a soluble shell. Thanks to this technology, the taste becomes more intense, but sediment remains at the bottom of the cup.

Instant coffee rating: No. 1 Egoiste

2. Bushido (5 points out of 5) . Premium coffee. Made from selected Arabica varieties. Edible gold is used in the preparation of Bushido 24 Karat. The beans for Black Katana are roasted over hot coals. And for Bushido Light Katana, coffee trees are grown on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Coffee is elitist in every way.

Instant coffee rating: No. 2 Bushido

3. Jacobs (4.2 points out of 5) . The Jacobs company was founded in Germany, but now coffee of this brand is made at a subsidiary in the Leningrad region. Consumers choose Jacobs for good taste at an affordable price. In addition to Jacobs Monarch instant coffee, the company offers Jacobs Millicano, which contains both instant and ground coffee.

Coffee rating: #3 Jacobs

4. Lebo (4.3 points out of 5) . Instant Lebo Exclusive, originally from Colombia, is a fairly strong coffee, despite the fact that it contains only Arabica, Lebo “Extra” is Brazilian coffee with a chocolate note. The brand's products belong to the middle price segment and are sold in different packaging: vacuum, glass and portioned bags.

Coffee rating: #4 Lebo

5. Gevalia (4.7 points out of 5) . Coffee with a pleasant soft taste, without sourness or bitterness. Produced in Finland.

Instant coffee rating: No. 5 Gevalia

6. Nescafe (3.5 points out of 5) . The taste of Nescafe Classic is probably familiar to everyone. This is a soft, non-bitter coffee with chocolate notes. The brand's second most popular product is Nescafe Gold coffee, which is lighter and lighter in taste.

Instant coffee rating: No. 6 Nescafe

7. Today (4 points out of 5) . Coffee from the middle price category. Today Espresso has spicy notes. Today Green contains green, unroasted coffee beans and tastes like green tea. Today In-Fi has both instant and ground coffee.

Instant coffee rating: No. 7 Today

Natural or flavored

Coffee counters offer a large selection of flavored coffees with hints of vanilla, Irish whiskey, orange, amaretto and chocolate, but keep in mind that these are chemical, not natural, additives. If you want to enjoy the real taste of coffee without any extraneous notes, buy beans without additional aromatic “decor”.

Winston Churchill said that coffee is a very personal drink, so, like good cognac, it should not be drunk in huge mugs. And John Galsworthy believed that there were things to which one could not be faithful - for example, coffee. However, if you belong to the category of gourmets who change coffee like gloves, treat each variety personally and do not neglect the quality - in this case, unearthly pleasure is guaranteed!

The best decaffeinated coffee in Russia and in the world: varieties, brands

If for some reason you can’t drink coffee, but you really want it, then decaffeinated coffee will come to the rescue. But which drink best retains its taste after decaffeination?

1. Carte Noire - this coffee is good both with and without caffeine. The only drawback is the price is higher than average
2. Lavazza is also a good coffee that comes in decaffeinated varieties
3. Grandos Gold - delicious decaffeinated coffee

Decaf coffee can be delicious too

The best espresso coffee in Russia and in the world: varieties, brands

Espresso is sometimes called any strong coffee with a characteristic taste. But real espresso is not instant; it can be prepared from ground beans using a coffee machine. This aromatic espresso produces a light reddish foam, and its taste is unique. What coffee sold in Russia is best suited for espresso? It should be a good coffee with dark roast beans and a very fine grind, such as:

1. Egoiste Espresso
2. Carte Noire No. 7 Espresso
3. Lavazza Espresso

The world's best espresso is made from coffee beans grown in Colombia. If you wish, you can buy this coffee in Russia.

Fragrant espresso

If we're talking about methods of making coffee, let's list the most popular ones:

Coffee Recipes

Tip #2. Deciding on the degree of grinding

Before choosing, decide which cooking method is right for you. Each cooking method requires ground coffee of a certain degree of grinding. Fine and ultra-fine grinding must be used in order to prepare the drink in a Turk. If you are going to brew with a filter coffee maker, then medium or coarse grind coffee will suit you. Fine grinding is inappropriate here, as it will not impart the proper taste to the finished drink. The choice between medium and coarse grinding should be made based on the specifics of your technique. Also, to make espresso in a specialized coffee maker, you will need espresso grinding.

The best coffee for cappuccino

You don't need special coffee beans to make a good cappuccino. It is enough to make high-quality espresso, which was discussed in the previous paragraph. The cup is filled one third with undiluted coffee, then frothed milk is added and finally thick milk foam, which is spooned out. The hat can be decorated with grated chocolate or cinnamon.

Light cappuccino foam

Tip #5. Let's taste the aroma

Now every consumer has the opportunity to choose ground coffee with a variety of flavors. This can be a drink with chocolate, nuts, cognac and other flavors. Here the question arises, how to distinguish natural from its analogue with flavorings. The answer is as follows: natural coffee with additional aroma can only be with some kind of bulk spices. For example, with cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc. You can be sure that a drink with some kind of fruit, chocolate or alcohol is chemical.

Attention!

Always look at the ingredients of such drinks. If it is natural, then the composition should only contain it and an additional ingredient. Drinks with chemical additives not only do not help you experience the real taste, but they can also negatively affect your health.

The best coffee beans for a coffee machine: varieties, brands

Coffee machines make coffee in different ways, so finding the best one will likely only be a matter of trial and error. But our list will help make your search for the perfect beans easier.

Of the expensive luxury brands worth trying:

1. Musetti
2. Molinari
3. Illy

From bean coffee, which is sold everywhere:

1. Lavazza
2. Kimbo
3. Paulig

Choosing the right coffee for the coffee machine

Which coffee is better ground, instant or whole beans?

The most delicious coffee comes from freshly ground beans. The fact is that over time, coffee inevitably fizzles out, and the finer the grind, the more intense the process. Thus, the maximum oils with a pleasant taste and smell are contained in whole bean coffee, followed by ground coffee, and only then instant coffee for quick brewing.

Which one to choose: beans or instant?

Tip #3. Selecting the degree of roasting

The degree of roasting plays an important role in determining the taste. The important thing to understand here is that there is no correct degree of roasting. Roasting is as follows:

• weak;
• average;
• strong;
• maximum.

This is only a general classification, since different countries have different terminology. You need to know one thing - the higher the degree of roasting, the richer the taste of the finished drink. Always look at this parameter on the packaging so as not to find yourself in a situation where your coffee turns out to be too bitter. Remember that most often the Italian product is the most deeply roasted. Other producing countries produce completely different ground coffee.

How to choose good coffee in a store: tips and requirements for coffee quality

When buying coffee in a store, pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Fresh coffee tastes better. Even a product of the same brand can differ significantly in taste, depending on how long ago the coffee beans were picked and roasted. Therefore, pay attention to the expiration date
2. Pack with valve. If there is no valve on the package of coffee beans, then its taste will most likely disappoint you. The presence of an aroma valve indicates that the beans were packed immediately after roasting, which means they did not lose their aromatic oils. This criterion applies only to bean coffee; valves are not needed for ground and instant coffee.
3. It is believed that good bean coffee should be light brown in color, and if its color is almost black, it is overroasted. But the color of different beans in one pack may differ; some manufacturers roast different varieties separately so that in the end they create the desired composition
4. The surface of the grains should be smooth and shiny, without crumbs or chips
5. Good ground coffee can be recognized by price and packaging; glass and tin containers are preferable to soft packaging
6. To evaluate the quality of ground coffee you have already purchased, throw a pinch of it into water; the water should remain clear. If this is not the case, then there are impurities in the coffee.
7. An indirect sign of good coffee is the absence of synthetic additives. Although there are also very high-quality products with natural flavors
8. Do not buy coffee in bulk if it is displayed in open boxes or cans. Coffee should be stored in airtight packaging, and good retail outlets know this

We hope that our article will help you discover some new, unknown brand and enjoy the taste of freshly brewed coffee.

How does different types of coffee affect a person?

There are many myths about the harmful effects of coffee on health. And they can become a reality if abused, exceeding the daily dose (no more than 4 cups). Like every product, coffee has its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Coffee beans have benefits, they are rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, pyridine, PP vitamins, contain caffeine, which stimulates the flow of strength, energy, improves metabolic processes and digestion;
• Natural coffee has aphrodisiac properties, it makes the brain work better, reduces the feeling of need for food;
• A high-quality natural product can improve mood, relax and stimulate the nervous system, reduce the risk of cancer, diseases of the digestive system, as well as the heart and blood vessels.

Natural coffee beans and ground coffee will benefit your body if you drink it in moderation and choose only good coffee. Regarding instant coffee, the following can be noted:

• no healing properties;
• often harmful due to the use of unnatural flavors and added sugar;
• has many contraindications (it is forbidden to drink if you have hypertension, glaucoma, sleep problems, heart disease, gastritis).

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