Coffee is an extremely popular beverage around the world. It is estimated that over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily, making it one of the most widely consumed drinks globally. People love the taste, aroma, and energy boost that coffee provides. The caffeine content in coffee makes it a popular choice for many people, especially in the morning, to help them start their day.
Coffee is made from the Coffea plant’s seeds, which are native to tropical regions of Africa. The coffee beans are picked, dried, roasted, and then brewed to make coffee. Making coffee is more complex than most people realize because coffee’s flavor, aroma, and strength depend on the coffee bean type, the processing method, and the brewing technique. Beyond that, there are also other things most people don’t know about coffee, such as:
1. Coffee’s Flavor Comes from a Fruit
Most people think coffee is a dark, bitter drink, but coffee is made from fruit. The coffee bean is the seed of the coffee cherry, which is the fruit of the Coffea plant. The flavor of coffee comes from the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean. The fruit has a sweet, slightly tart flavor, often compared to cranberries or cherries.
2. Coffee Tastes Best When Brewed 1 to 2 Weeks after Being Roasted
Coffee is at its peak flavor 1 to 2 weeks after being roasted. After that, the flavor degrades, and the coffee can taste stale or flat. Many buy pre-ground coffee sitting on a shelf for months, resulting in a less-than-desirable flavor. To get the best flavor from coffee, buying whole-bean coffee and grinding it before brewing is recommended.
3. A Pinch of Salt Can Help Make Coffee Taste Less Bitter
It may sound weird, but adding a pinch of salt can help balance the flavor if your coffee is too bitter. The salt can neutralize some bitterness and enhance the natural sweetness of the coffee. However, using only a pinch of salt is recommended; any more can make the coffee taste salty. Start with a small pinch and adjust as needed. This is particularly beneficial for darker roasts, which taste more bitter.
4. There Are Sustainable Ways to Grow Coffee
Coffee farming can hurt the environment, but there are sustainable ways to grow coffee that help to preserve the environment and support the local communities. For one, shade-grown coffee is grown under a canopy of trees, which provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife. The trees also help to prevent erosion, conserve water, and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Shade-grown coffee is often grown by small-scale farmers who rely on the income from coffee to support their families.
Alternatively, sun-grown coffee is also a sustainable option using sustainable practices. This method involves growing coffee in open fields without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, farmers use natural methods such as composting, crop rotation, and intercropping to maintain soil fertility and control pests. Sun-grown coffee also tends to yield higher quality than shade-grown coffee. However, you must ensure that sun-grown coffee is grown using sustainable practices to minimize the negative environmental impact.
5. Coffee Farmers Make Little Profit from Their Sales
Coffee farming is labor-intensive, and coffee farmers often make very little profit from their sales. The global market determines coffee’s price, which can fluctuate wildly and leave farmers struggling to make ends meet. Buying coffee from fair trade or direct trade sources can help ensure farmers receive a fair price.
In most states, coffee farmers are not paid the total value of their coffee beans. This is because middlemen, exporters, and roasters take a significant portion of the profits. As a result, coffee farmers often live in poverty and struggle to provide for their families.
6. Female Coffee Farmers Produce Less than Male Coffee Farmers
In many coffee-growing regions, women are responsible for much of the labor involved in coffee farming. However, they often have less access to resources and training than male coffee farmers. This can result in lower yields and lower-quality coffee. For this reason, female-owned coffee businesses are emerging to help empower women in coffee-growing communities and provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed.
7. Buying Fair Trade and Direct Trade Coffee Supports Coffee Farmers Directly
Fair trade and direct trade coffee are two ways to ensure that coffee farmers receive a fair price. Fair trade coffee is certified by a third-party organization that ensures that farmers receive a fair price and that labor and environmental standards are met. On the other hand, direct trade involves buying coffee directly from the farmer, providing a more direct link between the consumer and the farmer.
Conclusion
Many people love coffee, but its appeal extends beyond its taste. As a global commodity, coffee has the potential to impact the lives of millions of people around the world, from the farmers who grow it to the consumers who enjoy it. By making conscious choices about the coffee we buy and how we consume it, we can support sustainable and ethical practices that benefit everyone involved in the coffee industry.
Liberty Beans Coffee has what you need if you’re looking for coffee beans for sale! We offer various coffee beans in different flavors, including caramel, pumpkin spice, chocolate, and French vanilla, all for affordable prices. Call us today at 609-707-6779 to place an order!
