Finding The Best Coffee Beans For You

There are three coffee growing regions in the world, Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Coffee characteristics vary from one region to another and it is worthwhile to experiment with coffees from the different regions in order to find your best match. In addition to growing region, consider these other factors when searching for your favorite bean.

Type - Arabica or Robusta? 

Two species of coffee, Arabica and Robusta, account for 80% and 20% of the world’s coffee production, respectively. Arabica is characterized by mildness, great flavor and high quality. It tends to have a smoother, sweeter taste, with flavor notes of chocolate and sugar, and often hints of fruits or berries. Primos Coffee only grows Arabica varietals.

Robusta is more bitter and acidic than Arabica and has a higher caffeine content. Robusta is less expensive to produce than Arabica and is frequently used in lower-grade blends due to its harsher flavors.

Geographical Location - Altitude, Climate & Soil

The impact of geography on a coffee bean's flavor is significant. Coffee is cultivated in the tropics and the altitude at which it is grown affects the taste. The world's finest Arabica coffees are grown in mountainous parts of the coffee belt, an area running approximately 30 degrees north and south of the equator. 

Primos Coffee comes from our farm located in Nicaragua, the heart of Central America. This area's volcanic soil, high mountains and tropical seasons make it ideal for coffee production. Central American coffees are well-balanced, medium-bodied and mild. They are clean, bright and enjoyed around the world.

Growing Conditions - Shade Grown Is Best

Shade is necessary to grow specialty coffee at high altitude because of the intense sunlight. Besides protecting the plant and supporting the ecosystem, it also allows for the coffee cherry to develop slowly over eight months, resulting in  higher quantities of natural sugars, which improve the flavor of the beans. All of our coffee is grown under a canopy of shade.

Processing Method - Vary by Region and Farm

The three most common ways to process coffee cherries are: natural, washed and honey. Processing practices differ by country and location and change the characteristics of brewed coffee.

  • Natural: The entire cherry is left intact during the drying process. 
  • Washed: Coffee cherries are wet-milled, fermented, washed & then dried. This is our preferred method of processing.
  • Honey: Coffee cherries are de-pulped and allowed to dry without being washed.

Storage and Age

Coffee is an annual crop and as long as it is properly stored, it can easily stay fresh until the next crop. After being dried to the perfect moisture content, coffee must be stored away from any source of moisture, including floors and walls. This is why you see coffee stored on pallets. At Primos Coffee, we take great care to ensure our coffees stay fresh. Our beans are shipped and stored in hermetic bags and our facility is climate controlled. We also never sell past crops.

Select Premium Coffee Beans - Primos Coffee Co.

We hope this guide was helpful in distinguishing between different coffee regions, types and processes. Many factors influence a coffee's taste and the best way to find your favorite coffee is by experimenting with different areas, types and processes. 

Primos Coffee Co coffees are all from our farm in Nicaragua. They are Arabica, shade grown at high altitude and fully washed. We have a variety of choices for all your specialty unroasted coffee needs. We offer different varietals, including a water process decaf. Our coffees are classic, clean, well-balanced, crowd-pleasing, the kind you want to drink daily.

Since all of our coffee is grown on our farm, under the same conditions and processed via the same methods, our selection gives you a unique opportunity to truly taste the differences between varietals as all other factors are held constant. 

Click on the link below to contact us. We look forward to answering any questions related to our farm and coffee.