How to recognise high quality coffee? A guide for true connoisseurs

Hi, coffee drinkers! Ever wondered why some coffees taste like the nectar of the gods, while others are more like... puddle water? Well, the secret is in the quality. But how do you recognise high quality coffee? Rest assured, we have some tried and tested tips for you!

What to look for when choosing coffee?

1. Freshness above all! Look at the roasting date – the fresher, the better. Coffee is not wine, it doesn't gain quality with age. Ideally, it should have been roasted within the last 2-3 weeks.
2. Origin matters. Pay attention to the country of origin and even the specific plantation. In this case, with coffee it's like with wines – the terroir influences the taste!
3. Beans, beans, beans! Choose whole beans over ground coffee. Why? Because the aroma escapes every minute after grinding. Besides, whole beans will allow you to judge their quality with the naked eye.
4. The packaging does not lie. Good coffees have well-labelled packaging. Not only will you find information on the flavour profile, but also on the botanical variety of the bean, the region and plantation from which it comes, the altitude of the plantation or how the bean was processed. This is not just a marketing trick – quality coffee producers want you to see exactly what you are buying!

The qualities of speciality coffee – or what distinguishes the crème de la crème of the coffee world?

• Score above 80. Speciality coffees are those that have scored at least 80 points on the Specialty Coffee Association's 100-point scale. It's like the Olympics for coffee!
• Single origin. Often these coffees are from a single region or even a single plantation. This allows you to experience unique flavour notes specific to a particular place.
• Processing method. Speciality coffees often boast unusual processing methods, such as anaerobic fermentation or the honey process. Sound complicated? That's because it is!
• Transparency. Speciality coffee producers are keen to share information about the origin of the beans, growing and processing methods. It's like a passport for your coffee!

Why buy coffee from specialist shops?

Firstly, you can count on the knowledge of experts. The coffee people, baristas or roasters working in such places, are real mines of knowledge. They can advise you on the perfect coffee for your preferences. Secondly, it is a guarantee of freshness! Specialist shops often roast their own coffee or work directly with roasters. This ensures that you are buying a fresh product. In addition, you can count on a unique experience. Where else can you find coffee from micro plantations in Ethiopia or experimentally processed beans from Panama? Only in specialist coffee shops! What's more, it's not just a place to buy coffee, but also a paradise for coffee geeks. Here you will find equipment and accessories – everything you need to brew the perfect cup at home.

Remember, choosing a quality coffee is only the beginning of the adventure. The real magic happens during brewing. But that's a topic for another post!