Commercial x Gourmet Coffee Definition
There are many ways to set a Commercial x Gourmet Coffee Definition. We will try to simplify the idea for the average consumer. Let’s see!
An ordinary coffee lover can get real lost with so many options and definitions in the coffee market.
First Ideas
Let’s establish something from the beginning:
We are talking about that person who loves coffee but doesn’t want to know if Sumatra beans are a new type of grain to make Panama Chili or a kind of coffee from the Far East.
The next fellow just wants to drink good coffee. Names, origin, tastes, bodies, aromas, acidities, etc. are just too complicated for him.
Whatever crazy stuff you may come up with is just incredibly overwhelming and particularly to scary, to begin with.
The frightened consumer just grabs any good old breakfast coffee pack and runs away.
It doesn’t have to be like that.
We’ll try to specify a Commercial x Gourmet Coffee Definition and simplify the equation.
(I’m not using the “specialty definition” on purpose. I’d like to loosen up the boundaries here.)
Forget about all the rest; That unintelligible mumbo-jumbo that makes coffee drinking a snobbish pain in the back.
And don’t ever forget one thing:
Every average consumer can enjoy any coffee, as long as it is brewed properly. Aren’t we lucky?
One other thing:
Don’t go drinking pure brewed black coffee just because some barista told you that’s the correct way to do it.
Brew and drink coffee the way it pleases you.
Even commit the heretic sin of boiling your coffee if that’s what you like. (but, please, don’t do it!)
From the average drinker point of view, we are going to try forming a simple particular standard without all the fuzz and buzz that has been brought to the coffee business.
Simple is Easier
For that reason, I find that the terms Commercial and Gourmet are a great watershed that maybe will lead us to better coffee drinking.
Let’s take a look at our two options then.
Commercial Coffee
A General Definition could be:
Every ground coffee that’s is marketed by large companies that produce and sell them in massive scale, using aggressive nationwide campaigns.
General characteristics:
- Coffee comes ground or in grain directly from a factory plant.
- Little bottles of instant coffee
- Plastic-encased bricks of ground coffee.
- Roasted and packed in large plants
- Large national campaigns and brands
- Profit comes mainly from large-scale
- Limited selection of blends and roasts
- Offers less power of choice.
- Uses less quality coffee.
- Uses low-quality coffee
- Uses some Robusta type, a cheaper option, in the blend.
- Darker roast to hide poor tastes also removes flavor subtleties.
- Coffee is standardized
- Lower prices
- More presence of green beans
- The best information you will get is country or continent of origin.
Commercial coffee does have variations in quality from brand to brand.
Gourmet
Gourmet types are high-quality coffees that are usually sold locally and roasted for brewing in a shorter time.
- Stored or delivered as whole beans
- One-pound bags or in bulk.
- Ground not too long before brewing.
- Usually distributed locally.
- Roasted in small stores or factories with traditional methods and technology.
- Usually sold by the roaster.
- More options and varieties give the consumer more power of choice.
- Significant variation of taste and smell profiles.
- Selection types can vary over: place, roast, blend, flavor, among others factors.
- Excellent grinding conditions.
- Processed very carefully.
- Eventually roasted in small batches for an ideal flavor profile.
- Meant to be savored within a few weeks of roasting at most.
- Uses more expensive beans.
- Higher prices.
- Usually pure Arabica beans.
- If any, slight amounts of Robusta.
- Gourmet coffee dealers are picky when choosing what to buy.
- Very few green beans, if any.
- Profit comes from a higher price
- Every stage of processing can be traced, from farm to store.
Being gourmet does not necessarily mean the coffee is good. Usually is.
Some Other Commercial x Gourmet Coffee Definition Ideas
- All coffees have different types of quality.
- Farmers separate the best from the lesser and sell them for different prices.
- Best beans sell at highest prices
- Defective beans sell for lower prices.
- Bad seeds can spoil the whole batch.
Both types can be appreciated by the average coffee drinker. It won’t be the same, but the price won’t either.
The ordinary consumer is a luckier guy because he cares less about the subtleties. He is willing to lose some of the refined taste in exchange for the lower price and better availability.
The above is only a fair trade as long as you are happy with it.
Finally, why are we saying all this?
It’s very simple:
We want everyone to enjoy both types of coffee. For that, it’s just a matter of choosing the right coffee and brewing correctly. Check out this article about Brazil Coffee Regions.
Please, leave a comment about this Commercial x Gourmet Coffee Definition article.
i’m a coffee lover myself and I enjoy a cup of mojo in the morning every day.
I used to work in a cafe where we sold gourmet coffee using a mix of 4 different beans from different countries. ( I believe it was called Adagio) .
A majority of the customers would compliment about how the coffee was delicious and was able to tell some difference.
It’s crazy how there is so many varieties of beans that I myself am overwhelmed at times. Just like you mentioned , i just stick with something I like and try not to let other’s opinion really change what I enjoy.
Definitely will be checking other posts on your website and see If i can find a way to roast some gourmet coffee straight from home.
Hello, Jason,
Thank you so much for your words and opinion. After each sip, each cup of coffee, what really counts is the sensation, not the educated evaluation. Good quality brewster should be widely popularized. And I hope I can help people to learn about Brazilian coffee.
Cheers!
I like that your post is easy to read. I totally agree with you on the topic of coffee. I like how you explain the different aspect of coffee step by step. you went into a lot of detail which cleared up a lot of stuff i did not know about coffee myself. All in all i liked reading this blog. keep up the good work.
Hello, Carlyle,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Cheers!
All those people who just want good coffee and don’t want to know the brand are like me four years ago when I was pregnant and had an unexpected craving for coffee.
When you say pure brew, do you mean coffee with no sugar or cream (yuck, you won’t catch me drinking that). My thing about coffee is the smell, I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee but I pack it with cream so much to make others cringe.
Thanks for making the difference between commercial and gourmet coffee so clear. I bet the gourmet ones smell even better when freshly brewed. I’ll try the Brazilian gourmet options on Amazon.
I’m curious, what’s wrong with boiled coffee?
Hello, Denise,
Thanks for leaving your impressions.
I mean, by pure brewed, without anything added; not talking about drinks like lattes and such.
When you boil coffee it ends up becoming awfully bitter. (Just a few seconds is OK, but it’s better to try avoiding it completely. Just in case. The water can boil BEFORE brewing, but don’t let it touch the coffee while boiling… Again, just in case. Call it “safety play”.
Cheers!
Hello
Well for starters, you really know about coffee!
I actually had absolutely no idea that we could choose between two kinds of qualities, gourmet or Commercial, so I already feel I learned something useful.
I do enjoy a good coffee cup now and then, and now with this useful info I feel I can explore more my possibilities next time I feel like having a cup.
Ruben
Hello, Daggok,
Thank you so much for sharing you impressions and kind words.
Cheers!
I may or may not be addicted to coffee.
You really know your coffee! This was a really informative read for someone who drinks commercial coffee every day. Sometimes we go gourmet, but we like to call that our “Saturday Morning Coffee.” I like how gourmet coffee is made with a bit more love. Thanks for shining a light on it!
Hello, Ash,
Thanks for sharing your impressions and kind words.
Cheers!
I am a big coffee lover like most people and I love the smell, but I only drink it socially now because it’s soooo addictive. I’m not partial to instant coffee out of a jar, it has to be freshly ground and smooth tasting. My local cafe makes awesome coffee, lol I dream of drinking it everyday but I try remain disciplined. Great article 🙂
Hello, Sharon,
Tell me about addictive! hahaha 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and kind words.
Cheers!
This is a very interesting website. I am an avid coffee drinker myself. I usually drink 2-3 cups every morning. I have never really given much thought to the type I was drinking, I usually just pick up a can from the store that has the best value.
Your website has shown me that there is plenty more options for me to chose from, so hopefully next time I buy I can try some new , or roasts, that maybe suit my taste buds more!
Hello, Jaime,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I hope you find your way around in the wonderful realm of Brazilian coffee.
Cheers!
I couldn’t agree more with your point regarding HAVING COFFEE YOUR WAY.
So many people only go to sleep at night so that they CAN get up in the morning and start it with COFFEE!!!
I’m a self-admitted coffee addict, and I can never learn enough about coffee. While I can tolerate the average coffee, the gourmet coffees and organic coffees and blending them up with special stuff to make that magic cup of energy be DREAMY is something I look forward to EVERY DAY.
In fact I even have to ration myself… I really don’t need to be laying on the coffee at 5pm but it’s SO GOOD that a lot of times I just can’t say no.
Thanks for the interesting information!
Hello, Alexx,
Thanks for sharing your experience and impressions.
Cheers!
I really enjoyed reading your article. I don’t know much about coffee but the way you wrote and explained things is amazing. You gave me a great idea of the difference between commercial and gourmet coffee things that i haven’t a clue about and i wait for more articles like this !
Hello, Xristina,
Thanks for sharing your impressions.
Cheers!
I love my coffee and drink three to four cups a day. I’m not what I would call a snooty coffee drinker. I usually drink what I can find on sale and don’t have a particular brand I stick to.
I like what you said about drinking coffee as you like. I used to add a lot of sugar and cream. The last few yeras though, I have gone to drinking it black only and I enjoy the taste of the coffee itself.
I may start trying different gourmet coffees in the future though to see the differences!
Hello, Chris,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Cheers!
I love coffee but I guess I would fall into the category of someone who isn’t well versed on the lingo. I honestly had no idea what the difference in commercial and gourmet coffees was for example. I drink what I think tastes good haha. What do you think of the instant brew coffee makers like the Keurig?
Hello, Heather,
I think the mumbo jumbo lingo means nothing if people were not to drink what they like. What you like is really what counts in the end.
I like it a lot, especially the Keurig Brazilian coffee options.
Thanks for sharing your impressions. Cheers!
Very interesting and informative article! Sometimes I find coffee to be a lot like wine, so many choices and so many words I do not understand even if though I used to work at Starbucks!
I have a friend who roasts coffee beans and I have been learning a lot, this article paired perfectly with what I have been learning!
Thanks for sharing!
Hello, Abby,
Thank you for leaving this input about your experience with coffee roasting. I hope that you improve your technique and share it with a lot of people. Maybe someday you could contact us and leave a post about it. Cheers!