https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news.atom summitmedicalphysics - News 2024-10-14T16:49:36+01:00 summitmedicalphysics https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/tanzania-coffee-a-fruity-aromatic-delight 2018-12-06T10:39:00+00:00 2018-12-06T10:39:05+00:00 Tanzania Coffee – A Fruity, Aromatic Delight Janice Spencer Tanzania Coffee is a medium strength origin coffee, with wonderful complex flavours and a divine aroma. African coffees are generally known for being deliciously fruity and sweet, and Tanzania Coffee delivers all this and more. It has been variously described as having sweet berry flavours, being intense and creamy, soft, floral, rich and interesting, with a bright and lively acidity. It is a particularly aromatic coffee, and perfect to brew in a cafetière or filter machine.

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Pack of Tanzania CoffeeTanzania Coffee is a medium strength origin coffee, with wonderful complex flavours and a divine aroma. African coffees are generally known for being deliciously fruity and sweet, and Tanzania Coffee delivers all this and more. It has been variously described as having sweet berry flavours, being intense and creamy, soft, floral, rich and interesting, with a bright and lively acidity. It is a particularly aromatic coffee, and perfect to brew in a cafetière or filter machine.

Tanzania is an East African country that shares its borders with Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Indian Ocean. It is home to a number of national parks, notably the Serengeti National Park, known for its abundance of wildlife species, as well as the spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration. Swahili is the national language of Tanzania, but there are believed to be more than a hundred languages spoken there.

Coffee is thought to have been first introduced to Tanzania in the 16th century from Ethiopia, and used by the Haya people as a stimulant, that was chewed rather than brewed as a drink. They also used coffee as currency. Arabica seedlings were first cultivated commercially in the early 20th century, when the country was under German colonial rule. After the First World War, the British took control of Tanzania (then called Tanganyika), and in 1961 the country was granted independence. It has taken many years for coffee production to increase in Tanzania and become a successful industry, but now coffee is one of its main agricultural exports, along with tobacco, cashew nuts, tea, cloves and cotton. The Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) was set up almost 20 years ago, with the purpose of rejuvenating the coffee industry by providing advice and education to farmers on advanced technology and best practices in coffee farming. New coffee plants that are resistant to disease have also been planted as part of the initiative.

Most of the coffee produced in Tanzania is grown on smallholder farms in highland regions, where the altitude, mild climate with adequate rainfall, and mineral-rich soil are favourable conditions for growing high quality coffee. Mount Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Arusha, Ngara, Bukoba, Morogoro and the Usambara Mountains are just some of these areas. Arabica is the predominant crop, but Robusta beans are also grown, particularly in the Kagera region. On many farms coffee plants are intercropped with banana trees, effectively shading them from the harsh rays of the sun.

Tanzania Coffee is just one of many fabulous origin coffees from around the world for you to try. At summitmedicalphysics we roast to order, so your coffee will always arrive in the freshest condition possible, and offer a range of grind options as well as whole beans. We also offer a sumptuous range of teas, as well as our ever-popular coffee gift hampers.

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https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/the-coffee-beans-journey-from-seedling-to-cup 2018-01-15T16:58:00+00:00 2020-08-28T18:50:21+01:00 The Coffee Bean's Journey from Seedling to Cup Janice Spencer More

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Pouring CoffeeFor thousands of years people have derived pleasure from drinking coffee. This flavoursome beverage with its delightful aroma is often the first thought of the morning, and the perfect way to kickstart the day. As well as having a reputation for boosting energy, drinking coffee is thought to help improve memory, mood and concentration. Coffee beans also contain high levels of antioxidants and other compounds that are believed to offer health benefits for a number of common medical conditions. Coffee is one of the world's most important commodities. It is consumed worldwide, and its production provides employment for millions. Throughout history it has been the subject of folklore, customs and myths, and in many cultures coffee houses and cafes have provided a hub for people to meet and an opportunity to socialise.

Legends exist telling of how coffee beans were first discovered. One of the most popular is the tale of Kaldi, the Ethiopian goat herder, who observed how his goats became energised and playful after eating the red berries from a bush. It is said he took the berries to a local monastery, where disapproving monks threw them onto the fire, so creating a wonderful aroma that resulted in them brewing the embers with water to drink. Whilst truth in such legends may be questionable, it is believed that coffee was being drunk in Ethiopia as far back as the 9th century.

Coffee is currently produced in more than 65 countries. When Frank Sinatra sang, 'They've got an awful lot of coffee in Brazil', he certainly had a point, since Brazil is known to produce around 40 percent of the world's supply. Other main suppliers are Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Most of the world's coffee growing countries can be found in the coffee 'Bean Belt', an area of land that lies between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn where the climate and conditions are best for growing coffee.

There are many different species of coffee, but the two most common are Arabica Coffee Beans(Coffea arabica) and Robusta (Coffea canaphora). There are several varieties of the Arabica coffee tree and they account for more than 60 percent of coffee produced. Arabica originates from Ethiopia and is recognised as the first species of coffee ever cultivated. It predominantly grows in subtropical climates with high altitudes; Brazil, Columbia and Central America are principal areas of cultivation.

There are two main species of Robusta trees, mainly grown in Brazil, Central and West Africa and South East Asia. They thrive at lower altitudes, in hotter temperatures, and require less rainfall. Robusta plants are more resilient to pests and diseases such as leaf rust, since they contain significantly more caffeine, which has anti-microbial properties and is poisonous to insects. As the beans are usually grown on plantations, they are easier to cultivate and commercially cheaper to produce. Robusta beans have little acidity but are more bitter than Arabica beans. They are more often used to make instant soluble coffee, and for espresso coffee making.

Before being harvested, Arabica coffee beans appear a darker shade of green to Robusta, and their shape is oval, and flatter than Robusta's rounded shape. When roasted, Arabica beans produce a milder, more aromatic flavour compared to Robusta's stronger taste, which has been described as earthy, woody, harsh, or even like burnt rubber. The most superior coffee blends are made up of 100% Arabica, but cheaper alternatives are made by mixing Arabica with Robusta beans. The price of Robusta beans can be half the price of Arabica. There are, however, many good quality Robusta blends that can easily rival an inferior Arabica blend.

Coffee trees are evergreen plants that can grow as high as ten metres, but for ease of harvesting are normally kept much shorter. They have dark green, waxy leaves and bear white, fragrant flowers, that appear a few years after planting. The fruit, or cherries, that form can take up to nine months to ripen. Some types grow in clusters on the branch and others are evenly spaced along them. The coffee beans inside are the seeds of the fruit, the size of bean being dependent on variety. Coffee trees are continually producing fruit; the same tree can be seen bearing blossoms and cherries at varying stages of ripeness.

When the cherries first appear they are green, and gradually change to red as they mature. The raw fruit is best picked when perfectly ripe. Coffee beans grown in mountainous regions pose more of a challenge to those cultivated on flat land, where machines can effectively work by shaking the fruit loose from the trees, or they can be strip-picked. Otherwise cherries have to be picked by hand, making production costs more expensive. On the plus side, this can ensure only ripe cherries are picked, whereas machine harvested or strip-picked ones need to be sorted to separate ripe from the unripe ones that also fall down. This can be done by hand or use of a flotation tank, where ripe fruits sink to the bottom.

The cherries next have to be processed to remove the surrounding layers of the seed: silverskin, parchment, pulp and outer skin. The wet method of processing involves them being cleaned and pulped to separate the flesh and skin from the bean, leaving the protective parchment intact. They are then dried out in the sun or in a drying machine, before being hulled to remove the parchment, cleaned, sorted and graded for sale. The dry method of processing cherries is an older, more natural way. Once the cherries have been sorted and cleaned, they are laid out in the sun on brick patios or matting to dry, and periodically turned so they dry evenly. This process can take up to four weeks. The dried fruits are then hulled and processed similarly for sale.

The distinctive shape of a coffee bean is formed by two seeds contained within the cherry becoming flattened as they mature. Sometimes a small mutation occurs when only one seed forms inside the fruit, producing a smaller, more oval bean. These are known as 'peaberries' and thought to make up around five per cent of coffee grown. They tend to roast more evenly because of their shape, produce a fuller, sweeter flavour, and are the bean of choice for some. summitmedicalphysics’s Kenya Peaberry Coffee is one to try

Green coffee beans can stay fresh far longer than roasted beans. They can be stored in their bags for a few months in a dark, dry environment, ideally at room temperature. If kept longer, it's advisable to store them in an air-tight container or bag, and periodically open and shake them up to circulate air. Some people prefer to store their green coffee beans in calico bags or other breathable containers.

Coffee is roasted commercially using various types of machine, that allow the beans to tumble or spin whilst being heated. Drum and hot air roasters are the two more commonly used; others are packed-bed, tangential and centrifugal roasters. Those who prefer to roast their own green beans can experiment to achieve the desired flavour profile; factors such as origin, variety, and other criteria should be borne in mind, as such things can influence the end result. Home roasting methods can include roasting in a pan, oven, grill, or popcorn maker, although home roasting machines can also be purchased.

When coffee beans are roasted their characteristic flavours will emerge. Chemical changes occur and they expand in size, but end up weighing less as they lose moisture. As the beans start to brown, pressure from built-up gasses causes them to break open and emit a popping sound. This is known as the 'first crack', and is a good indicator of the stage of roast. If beans are left to roast longer they will eventually pop again. This 'second crack' is a more subdued sound. If the beans are roasted until they are very dark, oils and sugars caramelise, and care must be taken not to roast for too long as they can become charred and taste bitter.

A light roast will turn the beans to a pale brown colour and they will look dry. The flavour will be light, mild-bodied and fragrant. They will be more acidic and have slightly more caffeine than those roasted for longer. Examples of light roasted beans are: Kenya AA CoffeeEthiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee and Kivu Coffee.

Medium roasted beans will be a medium brown colour. They will still be dry, but are likely to be sweeter due to slight caramelisation. They will be lower in acidity but more bitter. Medium roasted beans tend to be the most popular choice. Examples include: Kenya Blue Mountain Coffee, Viennese Coffee, Rainforest Colombian Coffee and Yemeni Matari Coffee.

Beans that are medium-dark roasted will become a richer dark brown colour, with a semi-oily surface. They carry deep flavours and a possible bittersweet aftertaste. Examples are: Nepal Coffee, Barahona Paraiso Coffee and Dark Maragogype Coffee.

Dark roasts will be nearly black and have an oily sheen. There may be a pronounced bitterness and heavy mouthfeel. Spicy notes may be evident. Some examples are: Blue Sumatra Coffee, Continental Coffee, Old Brown Java Coffee and Monsoon Malabar Coffee.

When coffee beans are ground, there is more surface area exposed to unlock the flavour within. Ideally, once ground, coffee should be brewed as soon as possible to appreciate it at its best since it soon starts to lose flavour. There are basically three types of coffee grinder: blade, burr and hand grinders. Electric blade grinders have metal blades, similar to a blender. These machines are inexpensive, but the method of grinding the beans, by spinning and smashing them, sometimes results in an uneven mix which can affect their flavour. Electric or manual burr grinders have steel or ceramic cutting discs, that grind with more precision to produce a far more uniform result, and can be adjusted to suit the brewing method required. These machines are costlier than blade grinders; manual alternatives are cheaper, but just require a little elbow grease!

There are various levels of grind, from extra coarse (suitable for cold brew coffee), to extra fine, (more suited for Turkish coffee), and several in between. A little trial and error may be required to achieve the best outcome for the type of coffee used; for example, darker roasts tend to be more brittle so a coarser grind is preferable, and a finer grind may benefit coffee grown at higher altitudes. The method of brewing ground coffee at home is down to personal choice. There are various appliances on the market, from inexpensive filter brewers and machines, stove top moka pots, and French press or cafetières, to state of the art bean to cup coffee machines. The flavour and cup quality of coffee beans is influenced by many factors, from the type of soil and climate they grow in, to the method of processing, grinding, and intensity of roast. The quality of water used when brewing coffee can also make a difference to taste and affect the way it brews.

Coffee lovers have never before had such a wealth of choice when buying coffee, with the multitude of varieties available today, that include single-origin and speciality coffees, and learning about a certain bean's origin and its journey from seedling to cup can take coffee appreciation to another level.

summitmedicalphysics has been selling freshly roasted coffee online since 2007, but our roots run far deeper than that with over 25 years experience in importing and roasting coffee from all corners of the world. With an extensive network of gifted buyers, we’re able to bring together what we consider to be the finest collection of high quality coffee beans ready to be freshly roasted to order.

Coffee starts to lose its freshness the moment it interacts with the air around it; that’s why we’re strong believers in only roasting to order, and packing our coffees immediately in one-way valve, foil fresh bags. This way, the CO2 in the bags can escape, but air cannot get in. Using this method, our freshly roasted coffee will stay in perfect condition unopened for up to nine months. Once opened, our coffee should be kept in an airtight container to extend the life of the bean. Coffee beans can also be frozen, providing an even longer means of preserving that freshly roasted taste and aroma.

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https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/monsoon-malabar-coffee-a-remarkable-indian-coffee 2017-12-21T12:37:00+00:00 2021-03-18T10:34:37+00:00 Monsoon Malabar Coffee - A Remarkable Indian Coffee Janice Spencer Monsoon Malabar coffee is one of the most popular coffees produced in India for the international market, and for many years has been considered a speciality. The history of when coffee was first grown in India goes back as far as the 17th Century.

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Monsoon Malabar coffee is one of the most popular coffees produced in India for the international market, and for many years has been considered a speciality. The history of when coffee was first grown in India goes back as far as the 17th century. Legend has it that a Muslim pilgrim called Baba Budan introduced the coffee plant to India when he smuggled out seven raw coffee seeds from Yemen whilst travelling home from a pilgrimage to The Holy Land, surreptitiously hidden in his beard! He managed to escape punishment for this deed because the number of seeds was seven, a sacrosanct number in Islam, so it was considered to be a religious act. It is said he planted the seeds near his mountain cave at Chikmagular in the Western Ghats. Today this is still an important coffee-growing area and the hills where the first seeds were planted have been named 'Baba Budan Giri' after him. The first coffee plantation in India was established there in 1840 during the days of British colonial rule, and India is now the seventh largest coffee producing country in the world, with just under a third of its coffee being produced in this area.

Monsoon Malabar is a unique variety, produced from Arabica cherry coffee beans grown in Malabar, a mountainous region of southern India, rich in lush vegetation. The high altitude, humus rich soil and the fact it is one of the wettest regions, provide the perfect climate for coffee cultivation. The story of how Monsoon Malabar coffee became the high grade, speciality coffee it is today goes back to the days when the raw green beans were transported from India, around the Cape of Good Hope, to Europe on a voyage that could take up to six months. The environment in which the beans were stored, deep within the hulls of wooden sailing ships, along with the humid atmosphere and sea winds that occurred during the monsoon season, caused changes in the character of the beans. They absorbed water, started to swell up and change in texture, and their colour turned from green to a pale yellow. They also became less acidic. This transformation resulted in a great enhancement of their flavour, and could be considered one of those serendipitous events that occurred in history for the benefit of mankind!

Today this 'monsooning' process is replicated by the beans being transported to the Malabar Coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala soon after being harvested, washed in spring water and sun dried. Here they are spread across the floors of open warehouses, where good ventilation ensures they can naturally absorb moisture from the Arabian Sea monsoon winds that prevail between June and September. During this time the beans are periodically raked and turned and spread out again, and great care is taken to ensure uniform exposure and prevent mould. The beans are then sorted and graded for quality before being shipped.

Origin, or Single-origin coffees, such as Monsoon Malabar, are sourced from a single geographical area rather than being blended. Many well known coffees owe their names to the areas or plantations responsible for their cultivation, and origin coffees form the basis of the extensive range available At summitmedicalphysics. We only source the very finest origin coffees and roast fresh to order giving you the very best coffee experience possible.

Monsoon Malabar is a very popular coffee that has been variously described as being exceptionally smooth, rich, intense, wonderfully mellow, bold, pungent, earthy, sweet, spicy, having tobacco or wood notes, and aromas of chocolate, spice and nuts. This isn't surprising when you consider the beans are grown in the same exotic regions where spices such as anise, cardamon, pepper and cinnamon have also been grown.

Coffee starts to lose its freshness the moment it interacts with the air around it; that’s why we’re strong believers in only roasting to order, and packing our coffees immediately in one-way valve, foil fresh bags. This way, the CO2 in the bags can escape, but air cannot get in. Using this method, our freshly roasted coffee will stay in perfect condition unopened for up to 9 months. Once opened, our coffee should be kept in an airtight container to extend the life of the bean. Coffee beans can also be frozen, providing an even longer means of preserving that freshly roasted taste and aroma.

Those who choose to roast their own Monsoon Malabar beans will notice the difference in their raw appearance to that of other beans. They may look bigger, will obviously be lighter in colour and may weigh less. With this variety it's advisable to start roasting at a low temperature until the first crack, to prevent the surface of the beans becoming scorched. A light to medium roast profile can bring out pleasant earthy notes and a slight sweetness, but some people prefer to dark roast the beans, so bringing out spicy flavours and chocolatey tones. For those who like to experiment, try using Monsoon Malabar in a blend with other varieties. Its low acidity means it can help redress the acidity of certain other coffees. It makes an excellent espresso when dark roasted, particularly because of the volume of crema it produces, and its unique flavours also complement milk based drinks.

Everyone has his or her own preferred brewing method for coffee, and we aim to cater for all requirements by offering a full spectrum of grind options, all the way from whole bean to Turkish grind and everything in between. Simply select your preferred method when adding to the basket and we’ll freshly grind your order before packaging.

Monsoon Malabar is suitable for coffee bean-to-cup, cafetière, espresso and filter machines, and is just one of over 30 sumptuous origin coffees that summitmedicalphysics have to offer, along with our very own secret recipe blends and flavoured coffees.

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https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/34692036-its-all-in-the-numbers-new-ways-to-find-your-perfect-coffee 2015-06-29T11:06:00+01:00 2020-10-27T10:10:59+00:00 It's All In The Numbers - New Ways To Find Your Perfect Coffee Lewis Spencer We've just launched a new addition to our product pages to make finding your perfect coffee even easier. Throughout our range of origin and blended coffees, you'll now see dials on the left hand side of the page indicating various features of the particular coffee you're browsing. With indicators including strength, acidity, flavour, body and aroma, you can at a glance see how our range matches your tastes. If you know exactly the type of coffee you're looking for, you can also use our new check sheets, listing our range by all of those attributes, starting with Coffee by Strength. To finish off our improvements, we've also listed the brewing methods each coffee is particularly suited to, making your choices even easier to make.]]> https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/16762072-how-to-store-your-coffee-beans-and-keep-your-coffee-fresh 2014-06-13T11:00:00+01:00 2020-10-27T13:04:19+00:00 How To Store Your Coffee Beans And Keep Your Coffee Fresh Lewis Spencer When it comes to enjoying delicious, fresh and aromatic coffee, there are a few simple but important rules to follow if you want to experience the best cup. Firstly, it's always favourable to buy your beans from a dedicated coffee supplier, rather than at the supermarket. Secondly, you'll want to store your pre-ground coffee beans appropriately, in a suitable container and in the ideal environment. You'll also want to grind your beans just before brewing, whenever possible; the benefits of freshly ground beans cannot be stressed enough, and you'll soon be able to tell the difference between a recently ground brew, and one that's been prepared using older ground beans.

It's generally agreed that the best way to enjoy fresh coffee and experience the fullest flavours is to buy whole beans and grind them yourself. By doing this you can grind a new portion of your favourite beans every time you prepare a drink, which not only ensures freshness, but means you won't be left with an excess of unused ground beans that will quickly lose their flavours and aromas. This is the key difference between buying whole beans and buying ready-ground coffee from supermarkets; whereas your freshly ground coffee can be prepared to order, ready-made coffee grinds are left for days, if not weeks, after being ground, during which time they will become bland and insipid. It's therefore important to grind your coffee yourself if you want to enjoy the freshest and most complex flavours.

Once you've bought your coffee beans you'll want to keep them fresh for as long as possible, although it's best to enjoy them within 7 to 10 days after they have been roasted. There are several methods to prolong the freshness of beans, including freezing, but the general consensus among coffee lovers is that the sooner you prepare beans after they have been roasted, the better your coffee will taste. In fact, coffee beans tend to be at their peak within 24 to 72 hours after being roasted, but given the inevitable delay it takes roasted beans to reach you at home, the 7-10 day span is a great time period in which to aim.

Our coffee from Coffee-Direct comes sealed in one-way valve, foil fresh bags, which are ideal for locking in the freshly roasted flavours of the beans during their short journey from us to you, and can maximise the amount of time you have to enjoy your favourite coffees before the beans being to lose their flavour and intensity.

The simplest, yet most effective way to store your roasted coffee beans at home is to keep them sealed in an airtight container. By keeping your beans sealed tight they will avoid exposure to the four main compromisers of freshness and flavour: air, moisture, heat and light. An airtight container ensures that the beans aren't in constant contact with air and moisture, and stops the aromas from escaping. It's best to store your beans at room temperature, unless, of course, you are freezing them. By placing the airtight container in a suitable location, out of direct sunlight and far away from warm areas of your home such as the oven area or on a windowsill, you can help to maintain freshness for a longer period of time. As coffee beans are porous they will rapidly adsorb any moisture if left out in the open, so it's best to place them away from sinks, windows and other damp areas, and, to avoid exposure to light, it's recommended that beans are kept in opaque containers, preferably ceramic.

As a method of preserving beans, freezing should ideally be done only as a last resort; for example, if you need to store them, unused, for a longer period of time and an airtight container isn't available. If you do choose to freeze your beans, there are a few rules to to go: be sure you wrap them up as thoroughly as possible; if frozen beans are not completely covered and sealed there will be a risk of exposure to moisture, and potentially to light from the constant opening and closing of the freezer door. We suggest that your beans, if unopened, can be frozen for up to 9 months before they begin to lose their freshness. You'll also want to make sure the sealed beans don't come in contact with other produce being stored in your freezer; this will not only avoid flavour contaminations, but will lessen the risk that moisture will reach the beans from other foods. As for placing your beans in the fridge instead of the freezer, the answer is simple; don't do it. The temperatures within a fridge are not low enough to preserve the beans' flavours and aromas, and there is an even greater risk of exposure to moisture and air.

You'll want to enjoy your coffee beans as soon as possible after they have been roasted, which is why it's a good idea to purchase your coffee in smaller quantities; you won't have to worry about larger portions losing their roasted flavours, and you won't have to throw away unused coffee beans that have become bland during storage. At Coffee-Direct we produce our coffees in three sizes: Sample 227g, Regular 454g and Large 908g. This allows customers to buy smaller sizes and enjoy the strong, complex flavours of their favourite coffees without having to rush through larger packs.

It's no secret that beans purchased from supermarkets are, on average, several months old already. These beans are left to sit on shelves for extended periods of time, which compromises flavours and aromas, and leaves customers with an inferior product. At Coffee-Direct we roast our beans to order, which means that when you're coffee arrives at your door, you can be sure that it has gone from being roasted, to being packaged and delivered in a short amount of time. Not only does this mean that your coffee will arrive incredibly fresh and flavourful, but it means that you can tailor your order size to your needs and avoid any wasted beans. What's more, you can set up a subscription service with Coffee-Direct once you've found your ideal size and coffee variety, so you'll never run out of your favourite beans.

Because we roast to order, we avoid excess produce, which means we're able to offer a wonderful selection of almost 100 coffee varieties, all of which will be freshly prepared for your order. Our range spans delicious origin coffees, exciting blended coffees and unique flavoured coffees, and includes a great selection of decaffeinated favourites. We also offer a collection of carefully picked coffee hampers, which would make the perfect gift for all coffee lovers.

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https://summitmedicalphysics.com/blogs/news/16761992-coffee-beans-why-buy-fresh-coffee-beans 2014-06-02T09:30:00+01:00 2020-10-27T13:04:57+00:00 Coffee Beans - Why Buy Fresh Coffee Beans? Lewis Spencer

When it comes to buying your coffee beans and blends, it's clear that ordering from a specialised coffee provider is always preferable over shopping from the supermarket.

While supermarkets have come to offer a growing selection of coffee beans and blends, they will never be able to compete with the range, diversity of products and the guarantee of freshness that dedicated coffee businesses, such as Coffee-Direct, are able to offer their customers. There are many reasons why coffee lovers favour the kind of service that Coffee-Direct provides, over that of supermarkets: we pride ourselves on a dedicated service that roasts beans to order, rather than mass-producing our products; we stock a vast choice of coffees and blends that includes speciality beans and rare coffees; we employ an innovative method of packaging that locks in flavours and guarantees freshness.

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When it comes to buying your coffee beans and blends, it's clear that ordering from a specialised coffee provider is always preferable over shopping from the supermarket. When you buy coffee from Coffee-Direct, you're benefitting from a wealth of experience in the wonderful world of coffee. 

While supermarkets have come to offer a growing selection of coffee beans and blends, they will never be able to compete with the range, diversity of products and the guarantee of freshness that dedicated coffee businesses, such as Coffee-Direct, are able to offer their customers. There are many reasons why coffee lovers favour the kind of service that Coffee-Direct provides, over that of supermarkets: we pride ourselves on a dedicated service that roasts beans to order, rather than mass-producing our products; we stock a vast choice of coffees and blends that includes speciality beans and rare coffees; we employ an innovative method of packaging that locks in flavours and guarantees freshness.

With more than 25 years' experience in the coffee business, we're able to offer a passionate and professional service. All of our batches are roasted by our team of expert roasters, who keep a close eye on our coffee at every stage of preparation to ensure sustained high standards and a quality product. This dedicated attention to the preparation of our coffee differs greatly from the machine-prepared coffees stocked by supermarkets, and means we can ensure a quality finished product that contains no imperfections.

Unlike mass-produced supermarket coffees, which are produced by automated methods in large quantities, our coffees are roasted and prepared in small batches. Not only does this allow us to roast to order, but means our coffees maintain maximum freshness and perfect results at every stage of production – from roasting, to packaging and delivery. No matter what bean or blend you order, you can be sure that it will be roasted and prepared strictly for your order, which means no waste or surplus coffee beans, and allows roasted beans to be delivered to you as soon as they are ready. This process differs markedly from supermarket production, where large scale roasts and mass packing means that previously fresh beans are left to await store delivery and purchase, and subsequently lose their flavours and aromas.

Freshness is a priority at Coffee-Direct, so we ensure that all of our coffee bags are prepared in a way that guarantees wonderfully aromatic and full flavoured coffee. Unlike supermarkets, where bags of coffee can sit on shelves, untouched, for a number of months, Coffee-Direct roast all our coffees to order, thus avoiding any dated and inferior coffee beans. We also generally deliver our coffee orders within 24-72 hours after being roasted, so customers can enjoy a burst of aromas and flavours as soon as they open their bags of beans – something that is not always possible with supermarket coffees, which are left on shelves at the expense of their freshness.

Another of our priorities is choice, and we aim to provide our customers with a broad selection of delicious origin coffees and exciting blends. We sell almost 100 varieties of coffee, including much-loved favourites, flavoured coffees and rare speciality coffees, and you'll also find a selection of Coffee-Direct's very own secret blends, lovingly created by our experts to bring you a flavour that you won't find anywhere else.

Our origin coffees are sourced from some of the most popular coffee producing countries in the world, and from the best regions for the growing of beans. You can browse the range by coffee strength, with a wide choice of strong, medium and mild coffees, and you can choose your beans based on brewing method, with categories for bean-to-cup, cafetiere, espresso and filter brewing methods. As your beans are roasted and packaged to order, you can change your preferred brewing methods and experiment with new ways to prepare your favourite coffees, a choice that is again absent from much supermarket coffee.

 

What's more, our knowledgeable team provide detailed information on all our products, so you'll not only know where you coffee is sourced from and how it is prepared, but also what the best ways are to prepare it, a full rundown of its flavours and aromas, and even the times of day at which it is best enjoyed.

Along with origin coffees, speciality blends and flavoured coffees, you'll also find a wonderful selection of decaffeinated coffees, teas and coffee hampers . We can offer a diverse range of products that supermarkets just aren't able to offer, and you can always be sure that our teas and coffees have been personally selected for their superior flavours and aromas by our knowledgeable and experienced team.

We supply coffee in every form of preparation generally used, including whole coffee beans, cafetiere grind and percolator grind, filter grind and espresso grind, Turkish grind, and even unroasted green beans in our origin lines. This choice of preparation puts you fully in control of how your coffee is served, and gives you the opportunity to try something new and switch between cafetiere and percolator prepared coffees.

Another method employed to guarantee freshness is the use of our one-way valve, foil fresh bags. These innovative bags are designed in such as way that air cannot get inside and reach the coffee, but air can escape via the valve, meaning the coffee aromas can be appreciated before the bag is opened. These bag designs are favoured by coffee lovers who desire the freshest beans available, and they are superior to many of the bags and containers used by supermarkets to store their coffee beans. Be sure to check out our advise on how to store coffee.

At Coffee-Direct we feel that customers should only be paying for our quality, fresh coffee and tea products and nothing more, which is why we offer free standard UK delivery. Customers can get their favourite coffees delivered to them wherever they desire, whether that's at home, at the office or anywhere else, and a fast, efficient delivery means the beans will arrive bursting with freshly roasted flavours.

We offer a choice of convenient delivery options to suit your schedule, including options such as Saturday delivery, pre-10am delivery and pre-12pm delivery. This choice of delivery slots not only ensures that you'll be there to receive your freshly roasted coffee, but also means that as little time as possible goes by between us roasting your coffee to order, and you enjoying your first cup.

We also offer subscriptions on all of our coffees, allowing you set up regular deliveries and avoid running out of your favourite blends. The subscription service is quick and easy to set up: simply place your order and select the subscription, and we'll deliver weekly, every two weeks, monthly or every two months depending on your preference.

You can rest assured that when you shop with Coffee-Direct your order will be sent out by fully tracked courier delivery, provided by DPD. As well as enjoying a fast, safe and secure delivery, you can benefit from an email and text message notification of the one hour time slot during which your coffee will be delivered, meaning that you won't need to wait for your delivery and you'll know just how fast your beans have been roasted, packaged and delivered.

There's no doubting that when it comes to quality coffee, buying from a dedicated coffee business like Coffee-Direct is always preferable over buying from a supermarket. Not only will you find an excellent choice of coffees and teas that you won't find in any supermarket, but you can be sure to get the highest quality product possible. Thanks to our dedicated and passionate team, our packaging methods and our roasted to order coffee deliveries, we can ensure that you'll experience a full flavoured, wonderfully fresh coffee every time your order.

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