How do you choose your favorite coffee every time? With Ahmed El Hani from Mard Coffee

Specialty coffee? The secret to choosing it is simple: region, processing, and roasting.

In this week's video from Marid Coffee, Ahmed Al-Hani explains how to choose the beans that perfectly suit your taste without complications. Only three steps separate you from a perfect cup every time.

Coffee flavor is influenced by three main factors:

• Processing method

• Coffee origin

• Roast level

And here begins the beauty of the coffee world. When you read flavors like berry, chocolate, or nuts on the bag, it doesn't mean the coffee actually tastes like juice or chocolate. Instead, it's a "flavor map" that helps you know what to expect from the cup.
So, if "berry" is written, the flavor will be fruity and refreshing, while "chocolate" means a classic, heavier, and more balanced taste.

These notes or flavors you perceive in a cup of coffee are the result of a complex interaction between the factors mentioned, making the coffee tasting experience unique and enjoyable for everyone. Therefore, understanding these factors helps you choose the coffee that best suits your taste and makes every cup a delightful journey of discovery.

Processing, or the method of separating the bean from the fruit after harvest, is a key factor that determines the taste of coffee. The longer the bean remains inside the fruit, the more sugar it absorbs, making the coffee taste sweeter and richer. In the world of specialty coffee, there are several processing methods, and each gives the coffee a unique character and flavor:

• Washed processing: Characterized by a clean and balanced flavor, it is ideal for daily coffee where you seek a clear and refreshing taste.

• Natural (dry) processing: Relies on letting the beans dry with the whole fruit, which gives the coffee dried fruit flavors, strong sweetness, and a distinctive acidic touch.

• Honey processing: A method between washed and natural, where only the outer skin is removed, and part of the pulp is left on the bean during drying, imparting a smooth body and a balanced sweet taste.

• Anaerobic processing (anaerobic fermentation): A modern and experimental method that produces complex and rich-flavored coffee, often used in competitions to showcase new and distinctive tastes.

For example, try "Colombia Aero" from Marid Coffee – a fruity bean with a delicious tropical character, especially when it cools and its distinctive taste emerges.

• Ethiopia (Guji / Sidamo): Characterized by floral and dried fruit flavors.

• Kenya: Flavors of red fruits and black currant.

• Rwanda and Burundi: Smooth and balanced fruity flavors.
  🔸 Try "Ethiopia Natural" from Marid Coffee – one of the most requested types in specialty coffee shops.

• Brazil: Classic chocolate and nutty flavors — most famous globally.

• Colombia: Balance of sweetness and acidity, with a medium body.

• Costa Rica and Panama: Clean and consistent taste, with Panama famous for "Geisha" coffee, the most expensive in the world.
  🔸 "Colombia Classic" from Marid is an ideal choice for lovers of balanced and smooth flavors.

• Yemen: The first country to export coffee, with earthy and spicy flavors, very popular in Saudi Arabia.

• Saudi Arabia: Similar to Yemeni coffee, limited production with government support for local cultivation.

• Indonesia (Sumatra and Java): Strong, earthy, and spicy flavors.

• India: Rich coffee with a strong taste, ideal for espresso.
  🔸 *Try "Yemeni Haraz" from Marid – a traditional experience with an authentic Arab character.

Roasting is the final step that makes a big difference in taste.

• Light: Highlights the coffee's origin and natural flavors (most commonly used in specialty coffee).

• Medium: A balance between acidity and sweetness, suitable for filters and espresso.

• Dark: Covers any undesirable flavors – common in commercial coffee.

• At Mard Al Qahwa, we don't put "roast level" on the bags, because we do our own testing for each batch and adjust it to give the best flavor from the coffee beans themselves.

Ahmed Al-Hani explains: "Each roast level gives coffee a completely different character. A light roast preserves high fruit and acidic notes, making the coffee vibrant and refreshing. A medium roast is the perfect balance that combines sweetness with rich flavors like chocolate and nuts, and is most suitable for most brewing methods. A dark roast, although it covers some of the original flavors, gives the coffee greater strength and depth, and is common in commercial coffee that focuses on strong taste and intensity.

The secret to specialty coffee is adjusting the roast level to suit the type of bean and its characteristics, not just choosing a random roast level. That's why at Mard Coffee, we conduct precise experiments for each batch to ensure the best balance between flavor and strength, to provide you with a unique experience in every cup."

Everyone has their own taste — ultimately, it's all about experimenting and discovering.
Start by choosing a region you prefer, such as Ethiopia or Colombia, try different processing methods, and record your observations after each cup.
Over time, you'll discover your own unique taste and be able to choose with confidence from the first time.

 Embark on your journey with Mard Al Qahwa's selected samples — from Brazil, Colombia, and Yemen — to discover your favorite flavor for yourself.

Choosing the perfect coffee is a personal journey that requires deep knowledge and experience of its essential elements: Region, Processing, and Roasting. Every cup of coffee is an opportunity to discover new flavors and unique details that reflect the story of each bean. With each experience, your ability to distinguish and choose according to your unique taste increases, making every cup an unforgettable moment of enjoyment.

Start your journey with Mard Al Qahwa today, and experience the diversity and quality in the world of specialty coffee where craftsmanship meets passion to offer you an exceptional coffee experience with every sip.