Want to fit in, the next time people start talking about their favourite coffee? What altitude is it grown at? Is it single-origin? How long was it roasted for? All of this information can be found on coffee labels if you know what you are looking for. We should all try to understand what we’re putting in our bodies, and coffee is no exception. In fact, coffee bags and labels tend to carry more information than most food and drink.
In this guide, we’re showing you how to read the labels and what all of that information means. Being able to read and understand all of this info actually means that you are more likely to end up with a coffee you love (and that works with your coffee equipment).
Will It Blend?
Coffee labels will tell you whether the coffee itself comes from one region, or whether it is blended from multiple farms and regions. A lot of people love to go for a single-origin coffee, as this tends to be more consistent than a blend.
However, blends have their charm. Some coffee brands have worked really hard blending coffee types in order to create a balanced flavour. On the other end of the market, some blends are made based on the fact that the beans available are cheap on the market, so it can be hit and miss.
Often, the real coffee lovers will know what regions of coffee they like. Eventually, you’ll become better at recognising whether your favourites tend to be fruity South American coffees or earthy Asian coffees.
Coffee labels tend to include a couple of pieces of information here; where the coffee is from (what region) and whether it is a blend or a single-origin coffee.
How to Grind and Brew
The helpful brands don’t just tell you where their coffee sets are from, they tell you how to produce them. If you buy beans, you may have more freedom, as the grind size can allow you to choose more about your coffee preparation.
If you buy ground coffee then it will have certain characteristics that can inform how you brew. If you want to use a French Press then it is a good idea to buy coffee that is coarse. It may even state that it is a specific French Press grind.
Whether this is on the coffee label or not varies. Some manufacturers include it, but others let you work it out for yourself.
Altitude
This is not just something for hipsters in cafes to discuss. It really does have an impact. How much above sea level the coffee is grown makes a really big difference on the coffee itself.
In high altitudes, coffee takes a lot longer to grow. Some people say this gives more interesting and nuanced flavours. If you are buying speciality coffee, expect it to have the altitude on the label or packaging somewhere.
Processing Method
Did you know that coffee is actually a berry? When it is ripe, it goes red, and then it gets processed. This process means taking the flesh off by washing the berry. This is what it means when the label says “wet” or “washed”.
Alternatively, you can also get a “dry” or “natural” coffee which gets dried within the flesh. This can provide some really vibrant and interesting results, but it isn’t as consistent, generally speaking.
There are also methods with different amounts of the flesh still attached, these are referred to as “honey” varieties.
Roast
The darkness or length of the roast. How long has it been roasted for? Longer roasts tend to get a little more oily, and people tend to have their preference about which roast style they want. Dark beans can be bitter, but they can work really well for espresso blends or contrasting with the sweetness of milk.
After a while, you will be able to understand the difference between the roasts just by tasting.
Tasting Notes
Tasting notes usually come from professional coffee tasters (I know, cool job). The process of cupping can be used to rate and taste coffee, often finding notes of cherry, fruit, cocoa or even sweet teas.
Many manufacturers put these notes on their coffee sets or individual bags to give you the chance to choose what you like best. There’s a bit of a subjective aspect to these tasting notes, as some people taste things slightly differently. That’s why we have professionals, I guess.
Conclusion
You can see why people are keen to learn more about how to read the labels on a coffee bag. Once you know the regions, roasts and even grind sizes that you like, you stand a better chance of finding coffees you love in the shops. You can even buy coffee sets with multiple varieties so that you can experiment and see what you like.