Comment choisir son café : guide complet et pratique

How to choose your coffee: a complete and practical guide

published on 09.18.2022 — by Marc-Alexandre Emond-Boisjoly — 3 mins of reading —


Choosing a coffee isn't as simple as picking up a packet from the supermarket. Coffee is a complex beverage, and every detail - origin, type of coffee, roasting level, preparation method - influences the final experience. Whether you're wondering how to choose your coffee beans or how to choose your ground coffee, this guide will help you select a coffee that suits your tastes and your equipment.

Un vaste choix de café de spécialité

Why choosing the right coffee is essential?

Specialty vs. industrial coffee

A specialty coffee comes from identified terroirs, picked with care and roasted in small quantities to preserve its aromatic complexity. Industrial coffee, on the other hand, is often blended, roasted too quickly and loses its subtlety.

Freshly ground: the essential criterion

A coffee freshly ground reveals all its aromatic notes. Ideally, you should buy coffee beans and grind just before infusion.

Choosing your coffee according to type and origin

Arabica vs robusta coffee

  • Arabica coffee Mild, aromatic and complex (70% of world production).
  • Robusta fuller-bodied, rich in caffeine, used for the full-bodied coffees and espresso blends.

The importance of origin

Each origin brings its own unique personality:

  • Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya) Floral, fruity and tangy coffees.
  • Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica) Balanced coffees with notes of cocoa, hazelnut and citrus.
  • Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam) More woody, spicy, powerful coffees.

Example: Central American coffees

These coffees seduce with their balance, perfect for those who want an mild coffee but structured.

Fellow Aiden par 94 celcius

Roast level: mild, medium, full-bodied

Light roast

Perfect for filter coffee and gentle methods. It reveals fruity and floral aromas.

Medium roast

Versatile, suitable for balanced coffee lovers. Suitable for filter coffee makerand manual methods.

Dark roast

For fans of full-bodied coffees andespresso. Chocolate notes, more pronounced bitterness.

Adapt your choice to your extraction method

  • Filter coffee maker Choose a light to medium coffee, arabica for finesse.
  • Espresso machine Choose a medium to dark roast with a fine grind.
  • Piston coffee maker Prefer a coarse grind and medium roast.

FAQ

How to choose your coffee beans?

Choose a arabica coffee and adapt the origin to your taste: floral (Ethiopia), balanced (Central America), full-bodied (Indonesia).

How to choose your ground coffee?

Select ground coffee according to your method: medium for filter, coarse for plunger, fine for espresso.

What's the difference between arabica and robusta?

L'arabica is sweeter and more aromatic; robusta is fuller-bodied and rich in caffeine.

Should I opt for freshly ground coffee?

Yes, freshly ground coffee retains all its complexity, unlike pre-ground coffee, which quickly oxidizes.

How do you take the roast level into account?

Light roast → sweet, fruity coffee, medium → balance, dark → intensity and full-bodied coffees.

Conclusion

Choosing the right coffee means taking into account the origin type of coffeethe roast leveland, above all, the method you use. Whether it is freshly ground or beans, a specialty coffee offers a far superior aromatic experience.

👉 Discover our selection of specialty coffees on 94 celciusand find the one that suits your method and taste.