What coffee do most cafes use?

The Unsung Hero Behind Your Latte: Why Brazilian Coffee Dominates Café Menus

Ever wondered what coffee bean is the silent protagonist in your daily latte, the dependable foundation beneath that meticulously crafted flat white? While single-origin beans and exotic roasts often grab headlines, chances are, the backbone of your favorite café’s coffee is a humble, yet incredibly versatile, bean from Brazil.

Brazilian coffee is a workhorse, a dependable player on a coffee roster packed with sometimes-temperamental stars. It might not boast the intense floral notes of an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or the bright acidity of a Kenyan AA, but that’s precisely its strength. Instead, Brazilian coffee is prized for its accessibility and balanced profile. It’s the bean that plays well with others.

Think of it as the supporting actor that makes the leading role shine. Its inherently approachable flavor, typically described as possessing chocolate and nutty undertones, makes it incredibly versatile. This low acidity is key. Highly acidic coffees, while delightful to some, can be overwhelming in milk-based drinks or prove challenging for sensitive stomachs. Brazilian coffee avoids this pitfall, offering a smooth, comforting experience that appeals to a wide range of palates.

This neutrality is why Brazilian coffee is so beloved by café owners. It provides a perfect canvas for baristas to create their masterpieces. Its consistent profile ensures that espresso shots are dependable, providing a solid base for lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. It can also hold its own in simple brews, offering a straightforward, enjoyable cup of coffee without demanding an overly discerning palate.

Furthermore, Brazilian coffee’s inherent qualities make it an ideal blending component. It can be combined with more complex and vibrant beans to create nuanced flavor profiles. For example, a café might blend Brazilian coffee with a small percentage of a brighter, fruitier bean from Central America to add a layer of complexity without sacrificing the overall balance and accessibility.

In short, while the world of coffee is constantly evolving with new regions and experimental processing methods, the enduring appeal of Brazilian coffee remains steadfast in the café scene. Its balance, approachability, and versatility make it the perfect foundation for a wide array of coffee drinks, ensuring that your daily dose of caffeine is both satisfying and consistently delicious. So, next time you’re enjoying your favorite café beverage, take a moment to appreciate the unsung hero working behind the scenes – the dependable, and often Brazilian, coffee bean.

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