| The coffee beans we grind and use to brew | | | | dark texture and a walnut finish. Costa Rican |
| coffee come from the Coffea evergreen bush, | | | | coffee beans are similar to Brazilian, but |
| grown in over 50 countries around the globe. | | | | have a lighter, sharper, almost tangy flavor. |
| Each year, the Coffee bush flowers and | | | | Mexico is also a great producer of coffee |
| develops a cherry-like fruit, inside which | | | | beans. The beans here vary in flavor and |
| are typically two small seeds or coffee | | | | texture, from dry and light to thicker and |
| beans. There are 10 different species of | | | | deeper in complexion and flavor. Although |
| Coffea bush, the first of which was | | | | many of the beans grown in Latin America are |
| discovered in Ethiopia some thousands of | | | | of the Arabica variety, some regions grow |
| years ago. Once man discovered the coffee | | | | Canephora bushes. The seeds of the Coffea |
| bean, its cultivation and use spread to the | | | | Canephora bush have fewer oils -- and in |
| Middle East, Europe, Asia and beyond. Today, | | | | lesser quantities -- than Arabica beans do. |
| much of the coffee we drink is made from | | | | Less oil and higher acidity give coffees |
| beans that were grown in Latin America, | | | | brewed from these beans a slightly more |
| Western Africa, Indonesia and the | | | | bitter quality. Despite this, Canephora is |
| Philippines, and continental southeastern | | | | still a very popular coffee bean, used |
| Asia. Two species of coffee bean -- Coffea | | | | worldwide in cheap, canned coffee blends and |
| Arabica and Canephora -- constitute more than | | | | expensive espresso roasts. Canephora beans |
| 90 percent of the coffee beans sold on the | | | | typically have almost 50% more caffeine than |
| international market. Depending on the | | | | Arabica beans. |
| region, species of coffee, roasting, and | | | | |
| preparation, coffee beans can infuse a cup of | | | | Canephora beans are more widely cultivated in |
| coffee with a variety of flavors and | | | | Asia than Arabica. These varietals are known |
| textures. | | | | for having a more acidic and bitter, although |
| | | | not unpleasant, flavor. Most of the coffee |
| The seeds of the Coffea Arabica bush are | | | | beans we use come from island nations in |
| grown all over the world and account for 75% | | | | Asia, such as Sumatra and the island of |
| of the coffee beans we use to make our hot | | | | Komodo. Coffees brewed from these regional |
| beverages. Arabica beans are very flavorful | | | | beans have a full texture and a slightly |
| and contain less caffeine than Canephora | | | | acrid, herbal flavor. Java and Kona varietals |
| beans. Coffea Arabica bushes are grown | | | | are especially popular and make a wonderful |
| principally in Western Africa and Latin | | | | morning coffee due to their earthy, almost |
| America. Different regions of these countries | | | | stringent quality. |
| are known for producing a different type of | | | | |
| coffee bean; that is, a coffee bean lending a | | | | Other factors that influence the taste of a |
| different flavor when brewed. These different | | | | coffee bean or cup of coffee are roasting |
| region types are called varietals. The | | | | methods and final preparation. As a rule of |
| climate, soil, weather, and particular plants | | | | thumb, the greater the amount of time spent |
| and seeds give regions their distinctive | | | | roasting, the darker, more full-bodied, and |
| coffee bean tastes. In Africa, Arabica bean | | | | flavorful a coffee will be. Although coffee |
| cultivation can be found in Ethiopia, Kenya, | | | | beans lose essential oils -- and caffeine -- |
| Tanzania, and the northern Muslim countries, | | | | during roasting, they change chemically |
| among others. Ethiopian coffee beans have an | | | | during the roasting process, and acquire new, |
| easy, smooth flavor and are delightfully | | | | different and flavorful oils. The darkest |
| accented by floral notes. Kenyan coffees are | | | | roast is known as Italian, which is preceded |
| also smooth, but a bit tartier than Ethiopian | | | | by French, Full City, City, American, and |
| beans. They have a pleasantly fruity | | | | other, lighter coffee roasts. French roasts |
| aftertaste, as does coffee brewed from | | | | are used to make espresso, because they have |
| Tanzanian beans. These beans are a lovely | | | | a high oil content and low acidity. City |
| afternoon coffee, with a milder texture and | | | | roast is common in western United States, and |
| flavor than its northern counterparts. | | | | American roast is synonymous with eastern |
| | | | cities, including New York and Boston. These |
| A great variety of coffee bean flavors come | | | | coffees are often produced using the drip |
| from Latin America. Coffee beans grown in | | | | method. Some people opt for a French press, |
| Brazil lend coffee a slightly bitter cocoa | | | | the use of which results in a stronger flavor |
| flavor with rich nutty undertones. A favorite | | | | and oily texture. Using an espresso machine |
| of many, Columbian coffee is very rich and | | | | to brew coffee also lends the coffee a strong |
| bold, a great morning coffee, with a thick, | | | | flavor, as well as higher caffeine content. |