Need a pick me up? Grab a cup of coffee! Not only is coffee something many people can’t live without, but it’s also packed with health benefits. It has excellent nutrients, optimizes brain health, and can help with weight control.
If you’re a coffee newbie, there’s no shame in that. This article will provide a brief overview of how you can drink and enjoy coffee!
Perhaps your ultimate goal is to become a coffee connoisseur. If so, you have a long way to go, but that doesn’t mean it’s not achievable!
As a person who’s new to having a daily cup of joe, here are some of the first steps to take:
Understand Coffee Beans
There are many types of coffee beans, but only three are cultivated for consumption. Coffee beans start as seeds in the ground and take around three years to turn into coffee cherries. After that, farmers harvest them.
The primary three are:
- Arabian (Coffea Arabica)
- Robusta (Coffea canephora)
- Liberica (Coffea arnoldiana De Wild)
Arabian
Arabian coffee takes up more than half of the world’s coffee production. It comes from Latin American and tastes sweet. You can taste fruity flavors as well!
This type of coffee is grown in high elevations, so it costs more. But its rich tones and sweet taste may be worth it to you if you discover you love the taste.
Robusta
If you’re a fan of chocolate, then you’ll love Robusta coffee beans. Some say that it has a hint of chocolate taste, although it is bitter. This coffee is robust, as in, it has double the caffeine. So if you’re looking to get your caffeine fix, this would be the cup for you!
Robusta is the majority of the coffee you’ll find in the United States. It’s what you use to make an “instant cup of coffee.”
Liberica
Liberica beans come from the Atlantic coast, and today, it’s a rare commodity in the US. It’s hard to find in the US since it has competition and its taste is unique. Its friends Arabica and Robusta are more popular, so it’s not frequently cultivated.
Get the Right Coffee Accessories
If you’re ready to stock up on coffee gear, there are certain accessories you need.
First, you’ll need a grinder so you can grind up your delicious coffee beans. Grind your beans before brewing your coffee so it’ll be as fresh as possible. (If you opt not to grind your beans, try coffee pods.)
Next, you’ll need a coffee maker so you can brew your coffee. You can prepare your coffee using several different methods. Each method brings out unique flavors, so it’s best to experiment and figure which one you like the best.
Here are some coffee makers to consider buying:
- French press
- Espresso machines
- Drip coffee maker
- Moka pot
- Turkish pot
- Aeropress
Head to a Coffee Shop
There’s no better way to figure out what type of coffee you like than at a coffee shop. Make it your goal to try a different cup of coffee you want each week.
Here are some of the most common cups of coffee people drink:
- Latte – Made with espresso and hot steamed milk
- Cappuccino – Made with espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of foam
- Americano – Diluted espresso and similar to a black cup of coffee
- Mocha – Chocolate latte made with espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate flavoring
- Iced Coffee – Cold brew that’s sweetened
- Espresso – Served in a shot form with foam on top
As you try various coffees, take notes. That way, you’ll know which flavors you prefer. Based on that, you can buy the right coffee gear and start perfecting the art of coffee making!
Conclusion
So are you ready to start drinking coffee? It may take a lot of testing and tasting. But by trying out different coffees, you’ll know what your taste buds prefer.
Keep grinding those beans and preparing coffee in different ways. You may find that an espresso maker is the best way to make your coffee. And, after a while, you’ll know just what beans to select to brew delicious tasting coffee. Yum!
Keep experimenting and enjoy the process of making coffee. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to becoming a coffee connoisseur!
