Know your cherry from your bean...

Coffee is very much like chocolate, fruit or sugar - we all use it, we all buy it on a weekly basis but very rarely do any of us really think where theses products come from or when and how they were produced? The fact that coffee plantations are all situated between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn in Africa, South-East Asia and Equatorial Latin America, means that for us here in South Africa those lands are so far far away that it is hardly worth thinking about...or is it?

Here are my 5 Tips to consider when buying your coffee:

1. Do you know your coffee roaster?
Many people these days regard themselves a 'coffee roaster.' But remembering that most South Africans considered instant a 'real' coffee not really that long ago, it is a move in the right direction, but do these roasters really know their story?
You should be able to ask your roaster questions; not just about the roasting process, but as well as where they get their coffee from, do tasting sessions with them and be able to rely on their expertise.
( Check out www.roastmasters.co.za and read more about Charity Tshipu, Roast masters for 23 years at Roastmasters Coffee Roastery)

2. What do you know about the coffee you are drinking right now?
Do you know which counties make up the blend in your favourite coffee? How were the beans dried? Were they washed or unwashed? All these bits make, break or add to a cup of coffee- flavours and aromas depend on the roast (dark / light) the origin and drying process of the cherry. Finding out which process is linked to the packed of coffee in your house, might help you understand better as to why you like that coffee so much!

3.Coffee is seasonal
As strange as it sounds, it is very true. The coffee fruit is a FRUIT, a cherry that, just like apples and bananas, grow only in certain seasons and areas- depending on where in the world the plantation is situated.
Countries like Uganda and Ethiopia harvest their cherries in spring time, these cherries need to be dried, washed and sorted before they arrive here at us in April. Keep this in mind when buying your coffee. Luckily there are plantations situated all across the world giving us two harvest seasons for the Northern and Southern hemisphere - buy your coffee according to the harvest season may enhance your flavours or even the price you pay for the coffee.

4. Try and determine what make you like a certain coffee and dislike another.
First things first - is your coffee a medium or dark roast? Is it a single origin or a blend? If it is a blend which countries' coffee can be found in the blend? Understanding these tidbits of info, will make it easier for you to determine which coffees are appealing to you and others not so much - keep this in mind when purchasing your coffee next time.

5. Keeping it fresh.
Should I refrigerate my coffee? Should I put it in a ziplock bag? These are all questions we ask (or should ask) our local coffee supplier.
My experience has shown that a refrigerator make no difference to your coffee - rather stick to these three 'must-do's'
                         * ALWAYS buy freshly Roasted 100% Arabica coffee
                         * After opening your coffee, place it in an airtight container in a cupboard - bright                                                                             light, oxygen and extreme temperatures will all affect                                                                              your coffees' taste.
                         * NEVER buy more coffee than needed. If you are only one person in the house,                                                                                buying coffee in bulk might save you money but you are                                                                          missing out in flavour. Rather buy small amounts from                                                                           your local roaster and ensure a fresh cup all the time,                                                                               every time!

Those are my 5 rules to keep in mind when drinking your next cup of coffee

! :)