Information about coffee can be a bit confusing or conflicting at times so to keep things simple we've put together some commonly asked questions about coffee.
Grab a cup of your favourite coffee and let's begin.
Where did coffee come from?
No one knows exactly how or when but coffee can be traced back centuries to Ethiopia. Legend says the goat herder Kaldi first discovered the potential of these loved beans.
What is green coffee?
Green coffee refers to un-roasted coffee beans. They have been picked and processed but they haven't been roasted.
How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
Caffeine content can vary. A standard cup of coffee (8oz) will contain an average of 94.8mg of caffeine, a standard size espresso would be less.
Is coffee vegan?
Yes coffee is vegan. If you want a coffee with milk you would need to pick a vegan alternative, we recommend Oatly Barista Oat Milk.
Which has more caffeine, coffee or tea?
There is significantly less caffeine in the average cup of tea than there is in coffee. Before tea has been prepared and brewed (its dry form does contain more caffeine) but once brewed it drops to about 26mg of caffeine per cup of tea.
How many types of coffee beans are there?
There are two main types of coffee bean: Robusta and Arabica. Robusta are a lower grade of beans grown at lower altitudes. Arabica are referred to as gourmet coffee beans providing a more refined flavour and aroma. Mara Coffee only sell the finest Arabica beans.
What is single origin coffee?
Single origin coffee is grown within a single geographic origin. They offer unique characteristics and specific tastes when compared to blended coffees from multiple origins. This is where African coffee excels.
What is the difference between light, medium and dark roast?
Light roast - is a light brown colour and has no oil on the surface of the beans. These coffees are roasted in order to preserve the unique characteristics of the bean.
Medium roast - Medium roast coffee is a brown color and rarely has an oily surface. Roasting to this level also preserves many of the unique flavours of the coffee's origin, but it also begins to reach into the deep caramel sweetness of a longer roast
Dark roast - Dark roast coffee is a dark brown colour and often has an oily surface. These coffees have a low acidity, heavy body, and tend to reveal deeper, darker flavours.
Why is African coffee so good?
Our favourite question! With rich soils, perfect coffee harvesting climate, and skilled farmers the majority of African coffee beans are the best quality and are often classified as specialty grade. Simply put it's the home of coffee!
I hope you found this an easy read whilst enjoying your cup of coffee. Reach out if there are any other topics you'd like us to blog about.
Until the next time keep smiling and drinking the finest African coffee!
Mara Coffee Team