Good coffee. So deeply rooted in our daily lives that it often doesn't provoke any reflection. A cup of coffee to wake up, a quick espresso while running around the city, a creamy latte accompanying gossip with a friend. Coffee is with us every day, without a doubt. So maybe it's worth getting to know it a little better?
Table of Contents:
What is worth knowing?
The beginnings of coffee culture
Coffee waves
The place where magic happens?
The roasting process
JAVA Coffee's selection
Quality control of roasted beans
What is worth knowing before choosing good coffee?
Good coffee is somewhat subjective. Some like it black and dry, while others prefer it with frothed milk that gives it a pleasant sweetness. There are indeed many ways to prepare it. But have you ever wondered where the beans that let you enjoy your favorite drink actually come from? With the help of experts working at the JAVA Coffee Roasters in Warsaw, we want to introduce you to the journey coffee takes before it ends up in your cup. This way, you'll be able to consciously choose the beans that will find a place in your kitchen.
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The beginnings of coffee culture
During World War II, when Americans were reclaiming the Apennine Peninsula from the fascists, they enjoyed their native coffee with an oily consistency. From the twisted grimaces caused by its intense bitterness, one could tell that the richness was... overwhelming. This is when "Americano" was born - espresso with added water. Americano is a name uttered by Italians while shaking their heads, showing their disbelief at the delicate palates of their guests from across the ocean.
Coffee waves
Since those times, the approach to coffee has changed dramatically. The first coffee wave has ended, and the second wave passed in the 90s. "Coffee waves" describe the changing global coffee market. The first wave was the beginning when only low-quality raw materials were available. This period is characterized by a lack of involvement in the preparation of coffee brews and prioritizing speed/quantity over quality. The second wave, spanning the 60s to the 90s, was when systematic quality distinctions in coffee first appeared. The Specialty Coffee Association of America was founded, and the first coffee shop chains emerged in the United States, contributing to the popularization of better quality coffee while giving cafes the social function that is so prominent today. The third wave, which has been ongoing since the 90s, is characterized by a focus on quality and transparency, emphasizing the product itself and preserving and highlighting its natural characteristics as much as possible. The third wave also sees a more conscious consumer who knows what they want and seeks a product of higher quality than commercial offerings, takes an interest in its origin, and pays attention to the processes that occur during coffee's journey from plantation to cup. The people responsible for coffee during its cultivation and processing are educated on handling the product to maximize quality, with attention also paid to the ethics of bean sourcing and direct trade.
A good coffee roastery - the place where magic happens
The key to preparing good, or even excellent, coffee is a deep knowledge of the raw material and the motivation and passion of the team working with it. The product offered can then boast the highest standards and consistently impress with its taste. Our roastery, JAVA Coffee, located in Warsaw's Bielany district, offers only the best arabica varieties, and our roasters (specialists responsible for roasting green beans) approach each process with full commitment, which rewards them with exceptional taste and aroma.
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The roasting process
Nick Fitzwilliams, the owner of JAVA Coffee, repeats like a mantra that roasting coffee is not just a mechanical operation. You throw the beans into the roaster, take them out, pack them, et voila, they're ready to sell. Right? Not quite. Roasting the highest quality beans is an art that requires passion and dedication, but above all, it is a science. It is a complex process that requires the use of the most modern technological solutions in the roastery, as well as extensive knowledge and commitment from the roasters. This allows for the full flavor and aroma to be extracted from each coffee bean.
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How does JAVA Coffee choose good coffee?
For Java, transparent and close cooperation with good coffee producers is very important. The beans in our offer are carefully selected products from plantations owned by the best farmers, who ensure that their product retains its natural flavor and character after further processing. We offer coffee from Brazil and Colombia, but also beans not available in supermarkets, ripened under the sun of Ethiopia, Kenya, China, Honduras, or Myanmar.
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An important part of the roastery's work is quality control of roasted beans.
Every batch roasted at Java is encoded and tested through cupping, which helps determine whether the beans have any defects and if they can be sold. In case of any customer feedback, thanks to coding, it is possible to track down a specific roast and verify its quality. Can you get this kind of quality and customer service when buying coffee in supermarkets or chain stores? Unlikely. So the next time you feel like drinking good coffee, it's worth looking for places that know what to pay attention to when roasting coffee and offer a product that stands out in the market. You won't regret it.
Photo: JAVA Coffee Roasters
