1. About Green Beans
What is a green bean?
A green bean is a unroasted "raw" coffee bean. What makes one bean better than another?
There are two main commercial varieties of coffee beans - arabica and robusta.
Arabica coffee is better (higher in quality) and grows best in equatorial
rainforests, at altitudes of 3,500 to 6,000 feet above sea level, in regions with
rich soil and heavy rainfall. Where does Arabica coffee come from?
Arabica coffee originates from a shrub indigenous only to Ethiopia. It now grows in
over 70 equatorial countries situated between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. How much coffee does one shrub produce?
One shrub produces one pound of coffee per harvest - a period that last 3 to 4 months. How long do green beans last?
The average shelf life of a green bean is 2 to 10 years depending on country of origin. How do I store green beans?
Keep dry and store away from direct sunlight (like grains, sugar, etc.). What kind of green beans are typically roasted and sold in grocery stores?
Some brand name coffees are made from 100% arabica beans, but most are a mixture of
robusta and arabica beans. The quality level varies, but most are commercial grade
(below premium and specialty grade). How is caffeine removed from coffee?
Caffeine is removed from the green bean prior to roasting. There are three methods
used to decaffeinate coffee: 1) Methylene Chloride and Variations (chemical); 2)
Swiss Water (natural); and (3) CO2 (natural). All remove 99% of the caffeine.
CO2 and Swiss Water are better at maintaining coffee quality. Are there any similarities between green tea and green coffee?
No! But there is a similarity between green tea and fresh roasted coffee - both
contain beneficial antioxidants. Can I drink or eat green coffee beans?
Not really. Green beans should be roasted prior to (1) grinding, brewing and
drinking, or (2) being covered with chocolate and eaten. The only record of green
beans being used as a food comes from ancient Ethiopia where tribes people crushed
and mixed green beans with animal fat as a portable food for expeditions. What is the difference between traditional vs. conventional coffee?
Traditional coffees are naturally grown on small high elevation farms, beneath a
canopy of shade trees, in harmony with nature and people. Conventional coffees are
chemically grown at low elevations on sun drenched plantations where quality of taste
is sacrificed to volume and low price point. What does fair trade mean?
Fair trade means that farmers (not middlemen) receive a fair price (min.US$1.26/lb.)
for the coffee they grow. At present, millions of small farmers live in poverty due
to exploitative trade practices in the industry. How do I know that coffee is organically grown and fairly traded (who do I trust)?
There are numerous certification organizations throughout the world. For fair trade,
look for coffee certified by members of the Fairtrade Labeling Organization (FLO)
such as TransFair Canada and TransFair USA. For organics, look for coffee certified
by members of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movemenbts (IFOAM)
such as the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). For shade and biodiversity,
look for coffee certified by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre (SMBC) and
Rainforest Alliance. 2. About Roasted Coffee
What is the definition of fresh coffee?
For coffee to be fresh and best, it must be consumed within 5 days after roasting, 3
hours after grinding and 15 minutes of brewing. No exceptions! The first sign that
coffee is stale is a bitter taste! What is the best way to preserve coffee?
Coffee is a perishable food product (like bread). Packaging cannot preserve
freshness. This is why coffee rarely tastes as good as it smells. Can I store my coffee in the freezer?
Freezing fresh roasted whole bean coffee does increase its shelf from 5 to +10 days,
however, the beans must be "small packed" so that what you remove from the freezer is
what you use. Taking coffee "in" and "out" of the freezer creates condensation on the
beans, and since water contains oxygen, the beans are exposed to their primary taste
assassin (oxygen), thus defeating the purpose of freezing! Where can I buy fresh coffee?
Look for a roaster that puts the roasting date on the coffee they sell - it's your
only guarantee of freshness. Most coffee companies will roast in large batches to
achieve economies of scale. Average distribution times in the market range from weeks
to months. Who made the first cup of coffee?
The first cup of coffee was made by Islamic monks in Yemen in 1200 AD. The drink,
called "qahwa", was prepared for prayer and meditation. The caffeine is said to
stimulate the mind and increased mental clarity. Can I roast coffee at home?
Yes, home roasting was common place in many parts of the world up until the 1950's.
Green beans can be roasted in three ways: (1) in the oven on a cookie sheet at
450¡F/ 230¡C for 12 to 15 minutes; (2) on the stove top in a pan at medium
heat for 5 to 10 minutes; and (3) in an electric home coffee roasting appliance. In
methods 1 and 2, the beans must be continuously stirred or shaken to prevent burning. Is it true that coffee must sit or settle before it is consumed?
No, this is a fallacy. The closer you get to the time of roasting the better the cup
if coffee. What is degree of roast produces optimum flavour?
Degree of roast is a personal preference! A medium roast produces the highest
concentration of coffee oils and reveals the widest flavour profile unique to country
of origin. What determines degree of roast?
Degree of roast is a function of the internal temperature achieved by the coffee bean
during roasting. For example, +450¡F=light roast, +460¡F=medium roast, and
+470¡F=dark roast. Why does coffee smoke when it roasts?
Roasting coffee caramelizes sugars inside the green bean. The darker the roast the
greater the quantity of smoke. Does the chaff affect the flavour?
No, the chaff is inert. What type of coffee has the most caffeine?
Green beans contain the highest quantity of caffeine. Robusta beans contain twice as
much caffeine as arabica beans. Dark roasted beans contain less caffeine than light
roasted beans. What is an espresso bean and/or espresso roast?
There is no such thing as an espresso bean or espresso roast. Espresso can be made
with robusta or arabica beans from any country of origin. Degree of roast is a
personal preference. For example, espresso in northern Italy is made from light
roasted beans vs. dark roasted beans in southern Italy. Are there any similarities between green tea and fresh roasted coffee?
Yes, fresh roasted coffee - like green tea and fresh fruit - contain beneficial
antioxidants equivalent to the power of three oranges per cup. 3. About Grinding & Brewing
What is best way to brew coffee?
Steeping and espresso are the best methods for brewing, since hot water (just off the
boil) comes into direct contact with the maximum concentration of coffee oils for an
optimum period of time. What is the best water temperature for brewing?
The optimum temperature for proper brewing is water just off the boil - 195¡-205¡F/ 90¡-96¡C. What water type is best for brewing?
Spring water is best. Filtered tap water is good. Unfiltered tap water is fine. Do
not use distilled water. How important is the grind and/or grinder?
Grinders must match the maker. For all makers except espresso, blade grinders will do
a very good job. Espresso makers require a fine and consistent grind size that can
only be achieved with a burr grinder. How should I keep my coffee hot?
The best way to keep coffee hot after brewing is to put it in a thermal insulated carafe
or pot. Do not expose brewed coffee to a secondary heat source, such as a warming
plate, as this accelerates oxidization and staling. Why does fresh roasted coffee produce such a thick cream during brewing?
Hot water immediately releases the fresh roasted coffee gases (mainly carbondioxide)
trapped inside the coffee grounds which float to the surface. Does brewing affect caffeine levels?
Yes, espresso contains less caffeine than coffee brewed in an automatic drip maker
which contains less caffeine than coffee brewed in a French Press. What is the history of espresso?
The espresso machine was invented in Italy about 200 years ago after Italy
temporarily lost access to quality arabica coffees. The machine was invented to
extract only the better taste elements out of low quality beans. What is coffee extract?
Coffee extract is a super concentrated liquid instant coffee. It can be made using a
hot or cold brewing process. How do I make iced coffee?
Brew a pot of coffee using double or triple the normal coffee to ratio. After
brewing, chill the coffee in the refrigerator or freezer, remove and add ice, cream
and sugar (and any other flavouring such as cocoa, vanilla), serve in a tall glass
and enjoy. Can I compost coffee grounds?
Yes, coffee grounds are biodegradable and rich in nitrogen. What are the main health issues related to coffee consumption?
Please refer to Coffee & Health write-up in News & Community section of our
website.
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