If you love to drink coffee, you’ve probably noticed the varying taste of your beans, but have you ever considered what makes each brew different? Other than roasting methods, there are numerous factors that alter how the beverage taste. Here are a few reasons for the different tastes in beans.

What Affects the Taste of Coffee?

1. Origin

Where the plant is grown impacts the final flavor of the beans. This influence is known as terroir. Altitude, climate, soil type, topography, and many other factors will help to produce a unique taste. For instance, coffee from Hawaii is mild in taste and acidity due to the combination of rainfall, mineral-rich, volcanic soil, and growing the crop on higher elevations. You might also notice these beans are likely to have fruity or floral notes and a slightly syrupy body.

2. Subspecies

There are a variety of plants, and each breed produces a unique type of bean. The most notable varieties used in specialty coffees are referred to as cultivars, which means they were produced by horticultural or agricultural techniques. The Hawaiian Kona beans are creamy, smooth, have a medium body, and taste slightly of chocolate while the Catuai variety has a sweet aroma with earthy notes. If neither of those flavor profiles works for you, Hawaii is also home to many popular subspecies, including Caturra, Kauai Blue Mountain, Mokka, Mundo Novo, and Typica.

3. Drying Process

After the beans have been picked, they must be dried before roasting. The three most common methods of drying are natural, wet, and honey processing. The first involves drying the beans while still in the fruit and without a lot of running water. This method helps retain sugar and produces a fruity, low-acidic flavor. During wet processing, the fruit is slightly fermented before removing the bean and washing it, which creates a brew with higher acidity. The last method combines the benefits of both by drying some of the outer fruit layers before removing the bean.

When you’re in the mood for a delicious cup of joe, visit Maleko Coffee and Pastries in Honolulu, HI. They sell a variety of affordable beverages including espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, Frappuccinos, and a drip coffee brewed from locally grown Waialua beans. Pair your hot drink with one of their freshly-baked pastries or malasadas. Visit their website or call (808) 561-2846 for more information. Also, view their Yelp page to find out how much their customers love them.