Choosing a new coffee

Choosing a new coffee to try for the first time, or trying to find a new coffee to replace something that is out of stock, can seem overwhelming! This is a guide to help choose that replacement coffee or to narrow down a new coffee to try for the first time. 

Description

Each coffee will include details about the specific lot in the description of the coffee. These details are intended to give you all the variables that might impact how the coffee roasts and tastes. 

Country of origin

The country of origin may be the most obvious piece of information about the coffee, but arguably the least helpful when looking for a specific flavor. There are very different tasting high quality and low quality coffees from just about every coffee producing nation so knowing more than which country the coffee was grown in is very important.

Processing

In our experience, the most obvious effect on the flavor of the coffee is the processing method. A natural processed coffee from El Salvador may taste more like a natural processed coffee from Ethiopia than a washed processed coffee from El Salvador. Try tasting a few natural processed coffees from various countries and compare! 

Variety

The plant variety is another very important piece of information when choosing a new coffee. The varieties of coffee are a lot like varieties of grapes used in wine. There are good Cabernet Sauvignon wines and there are bad Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but they still share trends in their taste profile. Coffee varieties certainly have trends of tasting a certain way, yet there are still good Pacamara and bad Pacamara. Note the varieties of coffee you enjoy and do not enjoy. Are there any trends? Some coffees will have several varieties blended together and may be labeled as “various.”

Region and altitude

Region and altitude are both key pieces of information on our coffee labels. The region and altitude can give more insight as to the specific terroir of the coffee. Two coffees processed with the same method from the same region in the same country at the same altitude will have a lot of similarity in the cup.

Tasting notes

Ultimately all of these variables in a coffee combine to create a unique flavor profile. That being said, the final cupping notes of a coffee will be the best indicator to find a coffee that fits your individual tastes. Look for coffees with similar cupping notes to the coffee you are looking to replace. If the coffee is from the same country, region, elevation, with the same processing method, and similar tasting notes then you have likely found a good replacement!

If you have any questions, or are looking for recommendations, please feel free to give us a call or email us at connect@haceacoffee.com