Vergnano Antica Bottega, 1kg coffee beans

Its delicious aroma is the result of a special roasting process. This coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans.

Caffè Vergnano has a long-standing tradition in the market, dating back to 1882, when Domenico Vergnano opened a grocery shop in the town of Chieri near Turin, Italy. The shop soon became involved in the sale and roasting of coffee. This commitment was driven by bold decisions, including the purchase of the company’s first coffee plantation in Kenya.

From the very beginning, Vergnano focused on selecting the most valuable varieties of coffee, particularly those that grow only at certain altitudes and in special climates, in mineral-rich soils found in Central American countries such as Haiti, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Santo Domingo and Guatemala, and later also in Kenya and Brazil. Quality control actually begins even before the plant starts to grow, through the use of natural compost on the coffee farms that supply Vergnano, as this is the only method that allows the cultivation of flavourful coffee beans.

Rating:

**** — stronger coffee

*** — medium caffeine content

** — suitable as a morning coffee

**** — also excellent as espresso, cappuccino or Latte Macchiato

The processing of coffee beans involves many stages, from drying them through hulling, polishing and sorting to the most important stage — roasting. Before roasting, coffee beans are green; only through roasting do they acquire their characteristic brown colour and aroma.

Roasting is an art. Each type of coffee requires a different degree of roasting, and the beans must never be over-roasted or allowed to become bitter. The quality and aroma of the coffee must be preserved.

Coffee can be prepared in many different ways, and each method requires a different grind size. Unevenly ground coffee can spoil the flavour even of the highest-quality beans.

When purchasing coffee, it is better to buy whole beans and grind only the amount needed immediately before preparation. With ground coffee, the rule is simple: the longer the coffee remains ground, the more its flavour and aroma diminish.

Coffee is now a highly sought-after beverage, and individual countries successfully compete in terms of its consumption. Coffee has become a popular and widely enjoyed drink almost all over the world. It is a natural source of antioxidants and has effects similar to those of green tea. Due to its caffeine content, it is valued for its stimulating effect on the mind, helps combat fatigue and, when consumed in moderation, may support the body's natural cellular defences. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can have a positive effect on human performance.

If we need to overcome fatigue, we will probably choose coffee with a high caffeine content, which is stronger and more stimulating, and will most likely choose Robusta. If, on the other hand, we simply want to gently stimulate our mind while enjoying a delicate, delicious flavour with a pleasant aroma, we will probably choose coffee with a lower caffeine content — Arabica.

When choosing coffee, it is important to remember that coffee must be fresh. It is therefore always preferable to buy whole beans and grind only the amount needed. If buying ground coffee, it should ideally be vacuum-packed. It is also important to consider the occasion for which the coffee is intended.