Between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn lies The Bean Belt. It is the circle of Earth where a majority of our coffee is grown. Weather, economy, tradition, and even war have been major determining factors on where and why our coffee comes from where it does. The handy map below (from Achilles Coffee) gives us a simple visual.
You’ll see America isn’t part of that belt, and you should listen to previous episodes with Jay Ruskey of Frinj Farms to learn more about domestic coffee farming.
I find myself drawn to the coffee’s of Sumatra. I associate them with dark chocolate and a bitterness I find appealing, but I don’t know if that is just because I had a Sumatra coffee I liked once and latched on, or if there are actual regional characteristics that make that coffee more in line with my taste buds.
I asked Chris O’Brien (Coffee Cycle Roasting) about it on this weeks Coffee Smarter, and per usual, we took a winding path around the world talking about coffee traits, regional characteristics, and most importantly, how we use that information to have a better coffee drinking experience.
His final breakdown; there are only two things that really matter when you taste coffees. First, did you like it? Second, which was your favorite?
I’ll add, don’t be afraid. You won’t make a mistake trying a new coffee or a new brewing method. You’ll just be taking another step along your coffee journey.
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FROM THE SHOW
Sweet Maria’s Home Coffee Roasting website is a wealth of information for brewing at home. From equipment to recipes to brew methods. It’s all here somewhere!
Ben Affleck famously drinks Duncan Donuts coffee and tries to carry packages simultaneously. He’s also played Daredevil and Batman in films, and portrayed George Reeves who played Superman in the 1950’s TV version. I’m reaching out to see if he wants to be on Season 4 of the Roast! West Coast podcast
Chris mentioned a coffee from Papua New Guinea in comparison to my preferred Sumatra. For reference, you can see they are both from similar parts of the world along a similar circle of latitude leading to similar coffee growing environments. (Via Google Maps)
COFFEE VOCAB
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You’ve been listening to his expertise on this show for three seasons, and now you can order Coffee Cycle Roasting coffees online. I like the house Guatemala. If you like a lighter, fruitier coffee you might try one of the Ethiopia roasts.
Thanks to the the Roast! Industry Legacy Partners. Click these links. Drink their coffees (and whiskey).
Zumbar Coffee & Tea • First Light Coffee Whiskey • Leap Coffee • Steady State Roasting • CAFÉ LaTERRE • Mostra Coffee • Cape Horn Coffee Importers • Marea Coffee • Coffee Cycle • Camp Coffee Company
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Roast! Coffee Smarter Week 5