Coffee Bean Basics

Coffee Bean Basics

Coffee Bean Storage... We recommend how to store your coffee is in a cool dark place and in an air tight container.

Contrary to what you may have heard, freezing your coffee is NOT a good idea. Freezing removes the moisture from the coffee and will degrade its quality over time.

It is best to purchase coffee on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to insure freshness.

Coffee is divided into two categories, Arabica & Robusta. Arabica coffee is the superior species from the coffee lover’s point of view. Arabica beans are the bean of choice in “gourmet” or “specialty coffees”. Arabica coffee beans produce the rich flavor and body found in a good cup of coffee. Robusta lacks this flavor and body.

There are several differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans. Arabica coffee is difficult to grow, and prone to disease, requiring more hand cultivation, and yields smaller harvests per acre. The Robusta species is a hardy, high yielding plant resistant to the numerous pests, which afflict coffee. Robusta coffees have higher caffeine content than Arabica; up to twice as much! Arabica beans are much more expensive, which is why the large coffee companies use predominantly Robusta coffee. Sometimes they will blend a small amount of coffee Arabica with a larger portion Robusta.

At Surf City Coffee Company, we exclusively source the highest grade Arabica coffee beans.

Coffee can grow anywhere between the Tropic of Cancer to the north and the Tropic of Capricorn below the equator. Although coffee is grown from sea level up to 7,000 feet, the higher quality grades are grown at higher altitude ranges.

Coffee information is categorized by the country of origin; for example, Colombia, Java, Costa Rica, etc. Currently, over 80 countries are coffee producers, with Brazil being the leading grower.

Each country has its own grading system into which different grades of coffee are divided; for example, Kenya AA & Sumatra Grade 1. The grading system reflects the size, shape, and ripeness of the bean. At this point, there is no universal grading system for which all countries follow. Surf City Coffee Company buys top grade green beans from each country. The essence of roasting good coffee requires an excellent green bean.

Our excellent quality organic coffee has been Fair Trade Certified by Trans Fair USA. Trans Fair USA is an independent non-profit organization which monitors and certifies Fair Trade products in the United States. Fair Trade raises incomes and living standards for small coffee farmers overseas while helping to protect the environment. Fair Trade doesn’t provide aid or charity, but instead promotes self-reliance and equality for farmers who are disadvantaged under present trading conditions.

While chemicals are used to decaffeinate most coffee, Surf City Coffee is decaffeinated using the SWISS WATER® Process which uses only water. It’s a patented process that results in great tasting coffee that is never subjected to chemicals.

Coffee is the largest traded commodity throughout the world; yes, even greater than oil. Frost, un-seasonal rains, political upheaval, and even volcanic activity can affect the price and availability of green coffee.