The Best Fresh Coffee Beans Buying whole beans from a local coffee shop or roaster is a certain method to get the most fresh and most delicious blend. Buying from a retailer with a variety of blends is an excellent idea. Thunder Bolt by Koffee Kult is a dark French Roast that has rich, delicious flavor. It's a little more expensive but it's organic1, fair-trade2 and contains no additives. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Famous for its delicate aroma and citrusy taste, the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is among the most sought-after coffee beans around the world. It's also a good source of antioxidants. It is best to make it without sugar and milk in order to preserve the distinctive flavor profile. It's a great match for spicy foods to balance the sweet-salty. It's also a great option to have a refreshing afternoon snack. Ethiopia is often thought to be the place of origin for coffee. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his flock became more energetic after eating the red berries that were growing on a tree near his home. He then tried the berries himself and noticed they had a significant effect on the energy levels of his body. The herder shared the fruit with his family and that's when coffee was first consumed. The coffee that is grown in the Yirgacheffe region of Sidamo in Ethiopia is usually processed with water, or "washed." This process removes sour tastes and create a bright clean taste. In the mid-2000s, global coffee prices reached unsustainable levels, which affected many farmers in Ethiopia. However, the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) was capable of helping farmers to remain in business by implementing their fair trade programs and their ability to bargain with the market. This helped to usher in the new wave of fruity single origin Ethiopian coffees dubbed the "new naturals." Today, the world is once again savoring the unique fresh, floral, and citrusy taste of the Yirgacheffe bean. Geisha Geisha is one of the most expensive coffee beans in the world. It has a subtle tea flavor with hints mango, peach and raspberry. It also has a silky mouthfeel that is similar to black tea. But does it really merit the price cost? The Geisha variety was first discovered in the highland region of Gesha (it got misspelled in the process) in Western Ethiopia in the 1930s by an British consul. The seeds were then transported to CATIE, Costa Rica, before being transported to Panama by Francisco Serracin (also known as Don Pachi). The Peterson family tried it on their Hacienda Esmeralda Farm and found that it gave flavors with balance and elegance. Geisha is more than just an excellent cup of coffee. It has a significant impact on the communities who produce it. It allows farmers to reinvest profits into improving farming practices and quality processes. This leads to a better quality of all the coffee varieties that they grow. Many coffee lovers are not willing to try it due to its high cost. Geisha coffee is worth the cost. Do yourself a favor and get some. Ethiopian Harrar Ethiopian Harrar coffee is exotic and full-bodied. It is a dry-processed (natural) arabica, which comes from Ethiopia's southern Oromia region. It has a distinct acidity that is accompanied by an alcohol-like fruitiness and a distinct mocha taste. The coffee is harvested and dried in the spring. It is then fermented, and released its aromas and flavors. The coffee is not contaminated with chemicals and is low in calories, which is a big difference from commercial coffees. It also comes with a host of health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. It is a good source of antioxidants, and contains many other nutrients. It is recommended to drink a cup on empty stomachs in order to reap the maximum benefits. Ethiopian Harrar is among the most prized coffees in the world. It comes from one of the top cultivating regions, the easternmost Harrar. It is grown close to the historic walled town of Harrar, at the highest altitudes. This coffee is a distinct blend that can be enjoyed as espresso or latte. The coffee is sorted by hand and then harvested, and finally dried by sun in traditional cloth bags. This method preserves the aroma of the beans and makes them more flavorful. It is also a more sustainable process. It can be brewed using any method of brewing however it is most suited to a French Press or Pour Over. Monsooned Malabar One of the most distinctive and well-known coffees in the world, Monsooned Malabar is a sweet, woody and nutty coffee that has almost no acidity. Its name comes due to a process known as "monsooning," as well as its origin the region that is the most arid in India in the mountainous region of Malabar which encompasses Karnataka and Kerala, with protected geographical indication status. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-beans of this coffee is believed to be apocryphal. During the British Raj period, large wooden vessels were used to transport coffee beans to Europe. During the voyage the humidity and winds caused the beans to naturally weather, resulting in a pale off white color. Once they arrived in Europe, they were found to have a distinct and very desirable flavor taste. Monsooning is an exclusive and distinctive method of processing coffee that is still utilized today in Keezhanthoor. This hamlet of high-end situated in the Western Ghats is surrounded by small traditional tribal farmers who are committed to producing only the finest beans. They produce a rich, aromatic, smooth coffee with notes like baker's cocoa, syrupy sweetness and a subtle vanilla. It's great on its own or blended with more fruity varieties, and it is also able to stand up to milk well making it a great espresso or cafe creme coffee. Pour-overs, such as those in the Bialetti Moka Pot, are also very popular. Due to its lowered acidity, Monsooned Malabar can withstand the heat, too.