Quality beans are to coffee, what clothes are to the man.

Agreed, and an equal number of discriminating connoisseurs have also observed: Behind every good coffee, are the Arabica beans.

“The world’s best coffee is the result of 100% Arabica beans,” says Nick Mattiace, spokesperson for Tchibo, the number one selling brand of Europe. “Grown mainly in the high altitude regions that run along the equator, the small rosy fruit of the Arabica tree look more cherries than they do like beans. Premium yields are cultivated at altitudes up to 2,800 metres, in the mountains of Colombia, Kenya and Brazil,” he explained, “and once roasted, the smooth Arabica flavour and aroma has set the bar very high.”

Coffee is also graded by the characteristics of its body, acidity, and taste. To help you select the best, here is a snapshot of terms and tasting notes, courtesy of Tchibo and tchibo.com:

Terms:

Body: Describes the intensity and fullness of the flavour, with the spectrum extending from full-bodied to light.

Mildness: Denotes the smoothness and harmony of a coffee.

Acidity: Reflects the liveliness of the coffee from delicate to lively to spicy.

Tasting Notes:

Kenya: The intensity of the equatorial sun, plus the fertile, iron-rich earth of the African Highlands, combine for a full-bodied coffee renowned for hearty flavour and expressive aroma. If you like strong coffee, the Arabica grind from Kenya is the one for you.

Brazil: In this temperate climate, coffee beans are especially noted for their full-bodied aroma. The gentle sun, plus the fertile, mineral rich, clay soil of southwest Brazil give this coffee its wonderfully mild, yet exceptionally rich character. For those who insist on robust aroma and taste, the Arabica grind from Brazil coffee is for you.

Colombia: Premium beans here are grown exclusively in the mountainous regions where conditions are ideal, making Colombia the number two country worldwide in terms of coffee cultivation. Clean, pure air, gentle climate and fertile soil combine to produce coffee of elegant character and mild aroma. If you want assurance about the right coffee for everyone in the crowd, the Arabica grind from Colombia coffee is for you.

Credit: www.newscanada.com