Knowledge

The Coffee Belt

The coffee belt is a geographical area that stretches between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This tropical belt embraces some of the world's best-known coffee-growing areas and stretches across continents such as South America, Africa and Asia. The belt is characterized by its warm climate, abundant rainfall and fertile soil, all of which create the ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee. This is where the finest Arabica and Robusta coffee beans grow, making the coffee belt the heart of the world's coffee supply. For coffee enthusiasts, understanding the coffee belt is key to appreciating the diverse flavor profiles that coffee can offer depending on the origin of the beans.

  • 1 Honduras

    Sweet and slightly sour with notes of caramel.

  • 2 Guatemala

    Spicy, fresh, and fruity.

  • 3 Colombia

    Balanced and slightly sweet with notes of cinnamon and cocoa.

  • 4 Peru

    Light body and sweet with notes of vanilla and almond.

  • 5 Brazil

    Light body and slightly acidic with notes of citrus and fruit.

  • 6 Ethiopia

    Light body with notes of fruit, flowers and wine.

  • 7 Sudan

    Rich in flavour, syrupy and sweet with notes of cocoa and spices.

  • 8 Papua New Guinea

    Full body with sweetness and taste of ripe fruit.

The journey of the coffee bean


The journey of the coffee bean extends from the lush fields of tropical regions to your cup of coffee. Each bean's journey starts with careful cultivation and harvesting on coffee plantations, followed by complex processing and roasting. This journey affects the taste, aroma and quality of the final cup of coffee. 

Processing, which takes place before the coffee is packed and shipped, usually takes place by Sun drying, Washing, Pulped Natural (drying and washing) or Honey Process (slow drying under humid conditions). The processing leaves a green kernel or 'coffee bean' from the coffee berry.
The green coffee bean can last up to 2 years before roasting.

The coffee plant, Coffea, belongs to the Rubiaceae family and has over 120 species, of which the best known are Coffea Arabica and Coffea Canephora (Robusta). The plant produces berries, also called coffee berries, which contain the coffee beans. Arabica is known for its milder and more complex taste, while Robusta has a stronger and more bitter profile with higher caffeine content.

Coffee plantations


Coffee plantations form the backbone of coffee production worldwide and play a crucial role in the cultivation of high quality coffee beans. These plantations are carefully located in tropical regions, especially along the equator, with specific climate and soil conditions that are ideal for the coffee plantation.

The ideal conditions include high temperatures, abundant rainfall and fertile soil. The plantations can vary in size from small family-owned farms to large commercial operations.

  • Klima Kaffe Home Roast

    Climate

    Coffee plants thrive best in tropical and subtropical climates with moderate to high rainfall and steady temperatures year-round. Ideal temperatures typically range from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius.

  • Højde Kaffe Home Roast

    Height

    The altitude at which coffee plants are grown directly affects their flavor profile and quality. In general, higher altitudes produce coffee beans with greater complexity and finer aromas.

  • Jord fhold Kaffe Home Roast

    Soil

    Coffee plants prefer well-drained, porous soil that is rich in nutrients. Acidic soil is often ideal for coffee plantations as it supports optimal growth and development of the beans.

  • Skyggeforhold Kaffe Home Roast

    Shadow conditions

    Some coffee plantations practice shade farming, where coffee plants are grown under natural shade from larger trees. This creates a microclimate that is more stable and less exposed to extreme temperatures.

  • Vanding Kaffe Home Roast

    Water and care

    Regular watering is essential for the health and yield of the coffee plant. In addition, coffee plants require appropriate pruning and care to ensure optimal growth and bean quality.
Rist selv kaffe grønne bønner Home Roast

Coffee roasting


Coffee roasting is an art form that transforms raw coffee beans into the aromatic, brown beans we know and love. This process is crucial to developing the coffee's flavor and aroma. When roasted, the beans undergo chemical reactions where sugars and acids caramelize, creating complex flavor notes. Roasting duration and temperature affect the profile of the coffee – from light roast with fruity and acidic tones to dark roast with rich, chocolatey flavours. 

Roast at home

Coffee roasting phases

  • Kafferistning tørring Home Roast

    Drying

    The moisture in the bean evaporates at high heat.

  • Kafferistning gulning Home Roast

    Yellowing

    The bean changes to a yellowish color and can sense a smell of hay.

  • Kafferistning første pop Home Roast

    First pop

    Accumulation of CO2 causes the bean to grow and 'pop' like popcorn.

  • Kafferistning udvikling Home Roast

    Development

    Duration and temperature determine whether the coffee is roasted light, medium or dark.

  • Kafferistning andet pop Home Roast

    Second pop

    The roasting can continue to the second pop phase for an extra dark roast. This is where the oils come out.
Coffee roaster

Coffee brewing


Coffee brewing is an art that involves different techniques to achieve the perfect cup of coffee. Each method highlights different aspects of the coffee's flavor profile and can be adjusted according to preference. The most popular methods include ↓

  • Kaffebrygning Stempelkande Home Roast

    French press

  • Kaffebrygning Pour-over Home Roast

    Pour-over

  • Kaffebrygning drip Home Roast

    Drip coffee

  • Kaffebrygning Moka Pot Home Roast

    Moka Pot

  • Kaffebrygning Espresso Home Roast

    Espresso

  • Kaffebrygning Tyrkisk kaffe Home Roast

    Turkish coffee

  • Kaffe groft kværnet Home Roast

    Coarsely ground

  • Kaffe groft-mellem kværnet Home Roast

    Coarsely-medium ground

  • Kaffe mellem kværnet Home Roast

    Medium Ground

  • Kaffe mellem-fint kværnet Home Roast

    Medium-fine ground

  • Kaffe ekstra-fint kværnet Home Roast

    Finely ground

  • Kaffe ekstra-fint kværnet Home Roast

    Extra finely ground
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Water

Water plays a decisive role in the quality and taste of coffee brewing. It is important to choose and adjust the water quality, temperature and other factors to achieve the best cup of coffee with the desired taste and aroma.

  • Extraction

    The water extracts flavor, oils and soluble substances from the coffee beans during brewing. To ensure a complete and balanced extraction, the water must be of high quality.

  • Taste and aroma

    Mineral content and purity directly affect the taste and aroma of the coffee. Too much chlorine or hard minerals can result in a bitter or metallic taste, while soft water can give a more balanced taste.

  • Kaffebønne vand Home Roast

    Temperature

    An optimal brewing temperature is between 90-96°C, which ensures efficient extraction of flavors without burning the beans.

  • Relationship with types of coffee

    Different types of coffee require different water conditions. Light roasted beans need warmer water to bring out their complex flavor profiles, while dark roasted beans benefit from slightly cooler water to avoid over-extraction.

  • Brewing methods

    The influence of water varies depending on the brewing method. Pour-over and espresso require precise control and correct tempo to achieve the desired coffee experience.
Espresso machine
Kaffekværn Home Roast

Coffee grinding

Grind the coffee immediately before brewing for optimal taste and as many aromas as possible. Uniform grinding of the beans and the degree of grinding are of great importance for taste and aromas in different brewing methods.

The degree of grinding determines how quickly the water can penetrate the coffee during brewing. A grind that is too coarse can result in an underdeveloped flavor, while a grind that is too fine can result in a bitter and over-extracted coffee. The right degree of grinding depends on your brewing method.


Grinding degree:

  • Finely ground: For fast brewing methods such as espresso, where increased surface area ensures good extraction.
  • Medium grind: For mild and full-bodied brews such as pour-over and filter coffee.
  • Coarse ground: For French-press and cold brewing, where less surface area and longer brewing time ensure good extraction.


Grinder Choice: There are two main types of coffee grinders: leaf grinders and burr grinders. Blade grinders chop the beans unevenly, which can lead to an uneven brew, while burr grinders grind the beans evenly, resulting in smoother extraction and better flavor.

Coffee grinder with titanium burr

Green coffee beans


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