How to Drink Expensive Coffee

The first thing to know about expensive coffee is that it will not brew itself. However, even if you're trying it in a coffee shop, everything is not limited to the quality of brewing. Today we'll figure out how to turn coffee consumption into a real ceremony that will change the way you look at this product.

What is expensive coffee?

Maybe it sounds a little weird because there is a price tag and it is obvious. But in the understanding of coffee professionals there is a more or less clear answer: the higher the Q-score of coffee, the more it will cost.

Professionals use exclusively taste properties and do not pay attention to marketing techniques.

Usually, everything higher than Q-score 86 is considered to be "expensive". Everything within 87-90 is usually very expensive.

Coffee assessment

Flavor

When evaluating coffee, attention is focused on positive tastes, their uniqueness, harmonious combination and absence of defects. In simple words, if the coffee is "sour" - you need to determine what kind of acidity it is. Is it possible to taste the fruit? And if possible - how easy it is. Is it a pleasant one?

Origin, varietal

Of course, there is another parameter - the harvest. And it depends on the coffee varietal and the country of cultivation. For example, the varietal variation of Geisha will in any most cases cost more than the rest of the coffee. Because it is not physically strong enough. And having a great harvest is more difficult. In Costa Rica region, coffee will usually be more expensive due to the standard of living.

Processing method

Recently, another parameter has been added - the quality and method of processing. For example, you can ferment coffee beans with various tropical fruits to add a new flavor. And someone uses a cheaper variation of this infusion method - juice. Also, you can dry them just outdoors with direct sunlight or use "raised beds in shade" for slower drying which will improve the lifespan of green coffee.

In general, the quality of raw materials has the greatest influence. Does coffee have the natural potential to have a unique flavor that needs to be preserved when roasted. And how long these flavors will last.

And great coffee will most likely be packaged in more expensive packaging. Usually vacuum packed.

Auctions, Cup Of Excellence

And we don't stop there. Because there are even more unique beans that is found during the Cup Of Excellence. This is a "competition" in which professionals gather to evaluate the best coffee in one country. First, 150 lots of coffee are evaluated at the local level, and then the international jury evaluates them. And up to 30 winners are determined.

There can be 70 kg of such coffee, and it can be less. It happens that it is 1 ton (which is a piece of sand on the beach in terms of the world consumption). The winners of this Cup Of Excellence goes to auction. The price will depend on how much people liked the coffee. All because of the uniqueness of the flavors.

What brewing method is better to use

There are two proven options that will not "spoil" high-quality coffee: brewing in a Turkish coffee pot OR in a cup / French Press. There is less chance to get an "unbalanced" flavor. 

This is due to the fact that it is necessary to choose a recipe for any coffee. And if you are already an experienced coffee connoisseur, it will be easy to handle in any method. But for beginners, it will be easiest to brew properly in a Cezve (Turkish coffee pot) or a cup.

By the way, during the international evaluation, brewing in a cup is used.

We have already decided that the first thing to start with is to brew it well. But there is another small nuance. 

Quality of roasting

Let me briefly remind, that even the most expensive coffee in the world can be easily roasted improperly. And it can ruin the whole experience.

Freshness of coffee

There is a window when the coffee will be "at its peak". And if you think that the fresher the better, you are right on the one hand, and not on the other. There is a small window after roasting, after which the coffee, sometimes it closes tightly. And it will be impossible to feel anything.

That is, if you bought coffee 2-3 days after roasting, in most cases it's better not to drink it. But to wait 10-14 days. And for some coffee, for example, anaerobic processing, it generally takes 30 days. That way it'll be super clean and balanced in flavor.

Each coffee behaves differently. Some may be at peak in first 5 days.

After opening the package, it is better to drink it within a week. But up to 4 is still fine.

How to drink it

Oh, we are finally here. In order to feel everything, your body needs to be ready for it. If your receptors work inadequately or are completely "turned off", as sometimes happens after a "covid", then you will not be able to see any difference.

Therefore, first of all, you need to be sure that this is not the first coffee you drink that day. It is necessary to "prime" the receptors so that they are ready for reading signals (flavors).

You cannot drink such coffee with food. Drink separately, after a meal. But you have to choose the right food. It should be something neutral. Without sauces, sweets / cakes.

Some people like to use bananas and neutral cookies. But if you ate something with mustard - 99% of the taste will be distorted. As well as sauerkraut. I guarantee super sour tasteless cup.

Also, toothpaste strongly affects the taste. Alcohol. Smoking.

Sniffing

Check that the nose is working properly, because it will take over the recognition of most of the taste. If it is dry, it is better to moisten it. Especially in summer, and even with air conditioning, it can work poorly and not perceive aromas.

In general, if you drink coffee in the first half of the day, it is better to do it after a short walk.

Environment

We create the right conditions. You must have noticed that it strongly resembles a tea ceremony. When you prepare, the body calms down and becomes sensitive. Therefore, it is desirable to drink such coffee either in silence or to classical music. Ideally - piano.

It has been scientifically proven that they contribute to the enjoyment of coffee consumption. And the quiet atmosphere contributes to the fact that your nervous system is not overloaded and will not block signals.

Consumption temperature

The special feature of expensive coffee is that the better it cools down, the more flavors you will be able to experience. It happens that you drank it before the moment when it came close to revealing its full potential.

To make this process more convenient, you can use a coffee server. To pour a small portion into a cup, which will cool down faster. Start with trying a little bit of hot beverage, then warm and then - room temperature. It should taste differently in each of them. 

Conclusion

As you can see, even if the coffee is perfectly brewed and it is very high quality, it is not always possible to enjoy the product. Therefore, appreciate it, give it time, and remember that every coffee is different.

 

Video about flavor and how it may change during the brewing