Are you wondering why gourmet coffee beans have suddenly been on the rise? Well, we are here to give you 4 reasons why high-quality coffee beans have taken the market by storm! Earlier, coffee beans used to be only about the energy they gave us to stay awake. But in the last couple of years, coffee has made quite a name for itself as a gourmet beverage – something people experiment with, build different flavors out of, and enjoy every day.

So if you are wondering why one should ditch the instant coffee beans and settle for high-quality fresh coffee beans, you have landed in the right place. Read on as we discuss the benefits of choosing good-quality coffee!

Reasons Why Choosing High-Quality Coffee Beans Matters

  • Growth Of Gourmet Coffee

The growth of the “gourmet” sector is one of the most astonishing trends in the coffee industry. Gourmet coffee accounted for almost 59% of daily coffee consumption in 2017, and the young generation is mostly responsible for this!

Coffee is seen as a form of luxury by today’s coffee lovers, rather than just an energy-filled requirement to get them through each day. Because coffee has evolved into an artisan experience, having high-quality or gourmet coffee is slowly taking the front stage. Thus, we can bid the era of instant coffee blends goodbye and welcome high-quality coffee beans for a luxurious gourmet experience.

  • Importance Of Fair Trade

As a result of increased globalization, more individuals are concerned about supply chain and production ethics. As a result, the sustainability and fair-trade movements swept the United States, impacting the coffee business.

Products of fair trade are designed to give independent farmers from developing countries a fair deal. Fairtrade products are frequently more expensive than their non-labeled counterparts, yet buyers are ready to pay the higher price. In a 2014 study, fair-trade labeled coffee witnessed a whopping 10% increase in sales, even though the products’ costs were up to 8% higher. Thus it is evident that modern consumers prefer ethical sourcing, even if it means paying a higher price.

  • Growth Of The Art and Science Of Coffee-Making

Today’s market is teeming with customers who are aware that their daily cup of coffee isn’t only the responsibility of the barista — the manufacturer and roaster are also credited with the final cup. Coffee-drinkers are thus much more aware of how their coffee gets made and are more careful of the quality of coffee they consume.

This new wave, also known as the third wave, represents a movement of upgrading a  consumer from just consuming a caffeinated drink to truly enjoying and appreciating a great product. Customers in this third-wave sector are truly knowledgeable about their coffee and thus want a high-quality product.

  • Extension Of Direct Trade

Direct trade is another rising trend in the coffee industry. A roaster buys beans from the source, i.e., directly from the producer, bypassing the middleman. However, the trend also indicates a change toward a higher emphasis on quality at every level of the supply chain.

These roasters are increasingly gaining a good reputation as master artisans, capable of coaxing coffee beans’ most vibrant and distinct tastes. These experts expect gourmet coffee, and thus roasters are looking for the best beans to keep up with this demand.

What Makes a Coffee Bean A “High-Quality” One?

Now that you know all about reasons to choose high-quality coffee beans, you might be wondering what exactly lends them their status of being superior to other beans. Here are some factors that lend a coffee bean its elevated taste – lookout for these criteria while buying coffee, and you will land up with the best quality coffee beans in the market!

  • Origin

The place of origin matters a lot while choosing a specialty coffee bean. Factors like climate, humidity, soil erosion, and others have a huge role in enhancing the taste of these coffee beans.

  • Altitude

Altitude plays an important role in enhancing the quality of the coffee bean. The higher the altitude while growing the bean, the more slowly it grows, and the more complex flavor profiles it produces.

  • Variety

The two types of gourmet coffee beans are Robusta and Arabica. While Robusta contains more caffeine, Arabica has more complex flavors and is thus often regarded as the higher quality coffee bean.

  • Processing

The types of processing (natural and washed) the coffee bean goes through can also change its flavors. While natural processing gives a fruitier taste to the coffee, washed processing brings a more acidic flavor.

Conclusion

Good-quality coffee beans are difficult to come by but trust us; they are not super rare. You can find the best coffee beans in dedicated coffee stores – those who specifically deal with artisan coffee beans. So if you are looking to upgrade your coffee beans, ditch the instant supermarket coffee beans and buy gourmet coffee beans today!