Best Coffee Beans To Try: A Roundup of This Year’s Top Picks
As the new year dawns, coffee enthusiasts everywhere eagerly await the arrival of the latest and greatest coffee beans to grace our mugs. 2024 has proven to be an exceptional year for specialty coffee, with roasters around the world pushing the boundaries of flavor and quality.
In this comprehensive roundup, we’ve scoured the globe to bring you our picks for the best coffee beans of 2024. Whether you’re a die-hard pour-over devotee or a casual coffee sipper, these exceptional beans are sure to delight your senses and transform your daily brew.
So brew up a fresh pot, get your tasting notes ready, and let’s dive into the crème de la crème of this year’s coffee scene.
Exploring the Cream of the Crop
As we kick off our 2024 coffee roundup, we’re starting with a true showstopper – the Kenya Nyeri Kianjogu AA. This exceptional single-origin coffee hails from the lush Kenyan highlands, where ideal growing conditions and meticulous processing have yielded a truly remarkable product.
From the moment you open the bag, the aroma of ripe blackberry and juicy citrus zest envelops the senses. The flavor profile is equally captivating, with a vibrant acidity that dances on the palate, complemented by underlying notes of dark chocolate and toasted almond. The mouthfeel is silky-smooth and well-balanced, making each sip an absolute delight.
Next on our list is the Colombia Huila Supremo, a perennial favorite that has once again risen to the top. This coffee showcases the best of what Colombia has to offer, with a flavor profile that is both complex and deeply satisfying. Expect to be treated to notes of juicy red apple, caramelized sugar, and a hint of toasted hazelnut, all wrapped up in a velvety smooth body.
For those seeking a bolder, more intense experience, the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu is sure to impress. This washed process coffee from the legendary Yirgacheffe region delivers a captivating blend of citrus, florals, and dark chocolate. The acidity is bright and vibrant, while the body is surprisingly full and creamy. It’s a true testament to the incredible diversity of Ethiopian coffee.
Rounding out our top four is the Costa Rica Tarrazu Organic, a coffee that exemplifies the renowned terroir of this Central American origin. Cultivated using sustainable organic practices, this coffee offers a delicate and delightful flavor profile. Expect notes of sweet honey, juicy stone fruit, and a delicate, floral aroma. The balanced acidity and medium body make it an exceptionally versatile coffee, perfect for drip, pour-over, or espresso.
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Best Coffee Beans of 2024 Table
| Coffee Bean | Best Features |
|---|---|
| Kenya Nyeri Kianjogu AA | – Ripe blackberry and citrus zest aroma – Vibrant acidity, dark chocolate, toasted almond flavors – Silky-smooth, well-balanced mouthfeel |
| Colombia Huila Supremo | – Juicy red apple, caramelized sugar, toasted hazelnut flavors – Velvety smooth body |
| Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu | – Bright, vibrant citrus and floral notes – Dark chocolate undertones, full and creamy body |
| Costa Rica Tarrazu Organic | – Sweet honey, stone fruit, delicate floral aroma – Balanced acidity, medium body |
| Panama Geisha Jaramillo | – Floral and tea-like aromas – Jasmine, lemon verbena, white peach flavors – Delicate yet impactful mouthfeel |
| Brazil Pedra Bonita Natural | – Dark chocolate, toasted almond, bold syrupy body – Elevated take on classic Brazilian profile |
| Yemen Mocha Matari | – Complex black tea, dried fig, subtle spice notes – Challenges and delights discerning palates |
| Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling | – Dark chocolate, molasses, lingering sweetness – Deep, concentrated flavor profile |
Exploring the Unique and Innovative
While the aforementioned coffees are undoubtedly exceptional, the world of specialty coffee is constantly evolving, and 2024 has seen some truly innovative and boundary-pushing offerings.
One such standout is the Panama Geisha Jaramillo, a coffee that has captivated the hearts and palates of coffee enthusiasts worldwide. This rare and revered variety, grown at high elevations in the Panamanian highlands, delivers a transcendent sensory experience. Expect floral and tea-like aromas, accompanied by delicate flavors of jasmine, lemon verbena, and a touch of juicy white peach. The mouthfeel is delicate yet impactful, making each sip a true delight.
Another coffee that has us buzzing is the Brazil Pedra Bonita Natural. This unique offering takes the classic Brazilian profile and elevates it to new heights. The natural processing method has resulted in a coffee with a truly stunning flavor profile – notes of dark chocolate, toasted almond, and a bold, syrupy body that lingers on the palate. It’s a coffee that commands attention and satisfies the senses with every sip.
For those seeking a more experimental experience, the Yemen Mocha Matari deserves a spot on your radar. This heirloom variety, grown in the legendary coffee-producing region of Yemen, delivers a flavor profile that is both captivating and perplexing. Expect a complex interplay of black tea, dried fig, and a subtle spice note that lingers on the finish. It’s a coffee that will challenge and delight the most discerning palates.
Lastly, we’d be remiss not to mention the Indonesia Sumatra Mandheling, a coffee that has long been a favorite among devotees of full-bodied, earthy brews. This year’s offering is particularly noteworthy, with a deeper, more concentrated flavor profile that showcases the region’s renowned terroir. Expect notes of dark chocolate, molasses, and a subtle, lingering sweetness that makes this coffee an absolute delight.
Brewing the Best: Tips and Techniques
Now that you’ve been introduced to some of the top coffee beans of 2024, it’s time to explore the best ways to brew and enjoy them. After all, even the most exceptional beans can fall short if they’re not prepared with care and attention.
One of the most important factors in bringing out the best in your coffee is the grind size. Start by ensuring you have a high-quality burr grinder that can consistently produce the optimal particle size for your brewing method. For pour-over and drip coffee, aim for a medium-fine grind, while espresso calls for an even finer grind.
Water temperature is also crucial – the ideal range is between 195°F and 205°F. Anything below 195°F and you risk under-extraction, while temperatures above 205°F can lead to bitterness and astringency.
When it comes to brewing, experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your personal preferences. Try out a pour-over method like the Chemex or Hario V60 to really accentuate the coffee’s nuanced flavors. For a bolder, more concentrated cup, the French press or AeroPress can be excellent options.
No matter which brewing method you choose, remember to pay attention to the details. Use a timer to ensure proper extraction time, and be mindful of your water-to-coffee ratio. A good starting point is a 1:16 ratio (one part coffee to sixteen parts water), but feel free to adjust based on your personal taste.
Elevating Your Coffee Experience
As we wrap up our exploration of the best coffee beans of 2024, it’s important to remember that the joy of specialty coffee goes far beyond just the beans themselves. It’s about the entire sensory experience – the aroma, the flavor, the ritual of preparation, and the connection we feel with each cup.
So, as you venture forth and explore the incredible offerings highlighted in this roundup, be sure to approach each tasting with an open mind and a keen sense of curiosity. Savor every sip, take notes, and let the flavors transport you to the lush, high-altitude coffee gardens that birthed them.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun. The world of specialty coffee is vast and ever-evolving, and there’s always something new to discover. So, fill your cup, breathe in the intoxicating aroma, and let the magic of the bean elevate your day.
Cheers to an exceptional year in coffee!