How has the Trend of Small-Scale Family Farms Impacted Ecuadorian Coffee Quality?

  If you're a coffee lover, you've probably heard about Arabica coffee green beans . They're known for their smooth flavor, lower bitterness, and complex aroma. But not all Arabica beans are created equal. If you're sourcing beans for roasting, selling, or brewing, knowing how to pick the high-quality ones is essential. Below is how you can find the best beans. 1. Look at the Appearance High-quality Arabica green beans are consistent in shape and size. They should be oval with a slightly curved crease. Uniformity matters because even-sized beans roast evenly. Watch out for defects—broken, insect-bitten, or moldy beans are red flags. Color is another clue. Good green beans are usually bluish-green or light green. If they look yellow, brown, or white, it may mean they're old, under-dried, or poorly processed. 2. Smell Matters Fresh green beans have a grassy, herbal smell. If they smell sour, moldy, or fermented, it's a sign of poor storage or processing....

  Specialty coffee is more than a treasured morning ritual—it is more of a valuable experience that begins long before the roasting of beans happens. Green coffee beans—unroasted seeds of the coffee cherry—are at the heart of specialty coffee. These beans may seem like any other dried seed, but high-quality ones have a world of care, craftsmanship, and flavor potential. For small roasters, coffee shop owners, or just the curious home brewer, spotting signs of high-quality specialty green coffee beans is essential to producing a brew that pleases the senses.   It is also worth knowing the definition of specialty coffee because it is a category, not just a name, based on measurable standards. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) categorizes specialty coffee as beans that score over 80 or above on a 100-point scale in cupping (a formal taste test). High-quality beans reveal their excellence through a variety of visible and sensory qualities. Knowing the signs of high-qualit...