Coffee Library

With the number of choices out there, determining which roaster is right for you can be challenging. We'd like to give you some information and a few points to ponder when choosing your first roaster or considering an upgrade.

There are two main species of coffee trees: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica trees produce less coffee per tree than Robusta and they require more attention; that equates to higher prices. They also produce the more flavorful beans and are known as specialty coffees.

One of the more overlooked components of a good cup of coffee is the coffee beans grind size. If you get the wrong grind size for your preferred brewing method, you could end up with some bitter, sour, bland or acidic coffee.

Ever struggled to understand a coffee flavor profile or an article about coffee? Our Glossary of Coffee Terms is designed to help home roasters expand their knowledge. From acidity to Catimor to coffee leaf rust, you'll learn specific definitions and key context to better understand the coffee industry. 

If you love coffee, have you ever stopped to wonder where does coffee come from? Many people imagine coffee beans growing on a plant but what they don’t know is that coffee doesn’t start in the form of a bean at all.

Because the perfect cup of joe is a matter of a coffee lover's personal taste, we want to help you get a handle on the entire roasting process. When you understand how it all works, you’re that much closer to roasting your perfect tasting bean and brewing the right cup for you.

Green coffee beans have a long shelf life compared to freshly roasted coffee, but there are no hard rules for how long coffee's shelf life will last. In short, coffee beans can go bad. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when storing coffee to extend their shelf life.

Whether you use your old, trusty coffee maker for your daily morning pick-me-up or a French press or a pour over, you want the delightful notes of each flavor in your favorite coffee beans to jump out at you. Proper coffee bean storage is key to this experience. Without it, your coffee beans will quickly get stale and present a rather disappointing cup of coffee.

Finding the right brewing method can be daunting, especially when you realize how many different coffee brewing methods there are! Here we break down some of the most common and popular based on which roast profile they fit best with.

Fair trade coffees must meet the standards set by the particular fair trade organization that is certifying them. These organizations set similar standards aimed at helping improve the quality of life for farming communities in the developing world. They promote fair wages, safe working conditions, community development, and good environmental practices.

At first glance, the Coffee Bean Matrix can appear intimidating. That being said, we wanted to create a resource to walk you through using the matrix. Whether you’re new to Coffee Bean Corral or have been around for a while, we hope this guide helps you get the most out of the Matrix!