Is gourmet coffee just a term used so coffee makers can charge more?
Even a major coffee fanatic might not be able to appreciate or recognize the gourmet bean from premium or simply quality coffee. There isn't even an exact definition of what gourmet coffee truly is.
The English Collins dictionary defines the adjective 'gourmet' as "food which is nicer or more unusual or sophisticated than ordinary food, and if often more expensive". So gourmet coffee is a drink that has all the best aspects of coffee-making in one. It is the perfect storm in which every part of preparation is at the highest levels. From using the premium roast to precise grinding, perfect brewing and presentation.
Gourmet coffee is not the same as fine wine. With wine (some wine that is) the longer you leave it, the better the taste and the higher the price. With gourmet coffee, you need fresh roasts. If possible the coffee beans have been roasted no more than one week before. One hundred percent Arabica coffee is a good place to start when you are exploring the types of gourmet coffee. Coffea Arabica is a type of coffee which has been grown for over 1,000 years and is still considered to produced one of the finest coffee beans.
It isn't that easy to find freshly roasted coffee beans in your local supermarket. There's a great likelihood that the so called 'freshly' roasted coffee you are drinking today has been roasted at least three months back if not longer.
One way to keep your coffee fresh is to buy the whole bean in batches and grind them yourself at home, as and when you need it. There are some many quality coffee grinders on the market today to help you do this easily.
Once you have purchased gourmet coffee beans, do not leave them out. Store them in an air-tight container in the fridge if you are planning to use it soon. If you wish to keep them for longer, keep them in the freezer.
So now you have the right beans, and you have ground them well, now you need the right coffee brewer. There are many different types of coffee makers. The worse type are coffee percolators. These are pots that you put on the stove. They tend to heat the coffee grounds to overly-high temperatures, so you get a lovely smell when you are brewing, but the taste in the cup is not as flavorful.
Coffee drip brewers are some of the best and easy to use coffee makers. You put ground coffee in a paper filter, fill with water and the coffee slowly drips into a glass carafe. The trouble is, the coffee is often left brewing on the hot plate underneath the carafe so only make as much as you need.
As with wine, the country and environment in which coffee beans are grown do make a big difference. Check to see the origin of your coffee beans and buy only from reputable companies.
One last thing when it comes to gourmet coffee. Enjoy yourself! Leave to appreciate the whole coffee experience from beginning to end: from picking the right beans, grinding, brewing and finally taking that heavenly smell and first sip. It just won't taste like gourmet coffee if you're getting in a quick caffeine fix before scurrying off to work!
Gemma Swansburg is a researcher and writer who can't function without her morning coffee. Her latest article is a Luminess tan review. Visit her site for FREE product info, discounts, best offers and more reviews for Luminess Tan and other airbrush tanning solutions.
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