Top rated coffee beans: what are they? Traditionally there were a relatively small number of coffees that were considered to be top rated coffee beans, with people generally offering up Jamaican Blue Mountain, Hawaiian Kona, or some other prestigious coffee. Much has changed in the coffee world, in particular producers understand that the market will pay a premium for quality; that it doesn't need to be a race to the bottom for the lowest price as it is in a commodity market.
The pursuit of quality is partly a luxury of choice that is only available to the larger producers; those who have sufficient surpluses from trading to be able to invest in and develop their business in a way that small holders are not. It tends to be something of an escalator, and if the grower can afford to make the commitment to quality it generates further surpluses that provide funding for another layer of investment in the future. Quality based initiatives, such as the Cup of Excellence program that was devised by McKinsey Consulting Group is an example of a quality driven initiative that provides growers with a platform on which to showcase their best efforts to the highest bidders, thus providing an opportunity to be rewarded for their pursuit of excellence.
In short the world of gourmet coffee has become much less based on romantic tales of coffee estates in far flung parts of the former empires of European nations and much more scientific, although you may share our observation that the pendulum has swung too far in some cases and the levels of accuracy proclaimed feel a bit contrived. This merely serves to intimidate prospective customers who want to enjoy gourmet coffee yet have busy lives and are unable to set aside half an hour each morning before work to go through an obsessive science experiment involving the mixing of coffee and water.
Secondly, we observe that coffees with impeccable 'quality' credentials dont always translate into a taste that we find appealing. Often we find the Emperor is not wearing any clothes. Sometimes this is the result of applying an inappropriate brewing method to the coffee, sometimes it merely confirms our belief that no end of science can rescue a coffee that has been grown in an inappropriate location, has been subject to poor weather conditions or rough handling at some point prior to delivery.
Londinium's role is to identify what we consider to be top rated coffee beans based on how they taste under a particular brewing method. We are not affiliated to any industry body and larger commercial interest; we are completely independent. You may not not always agree with our thoughts, but at least you'll know they're our own and not a subversive marketing push. In concluding we would say that you are the ultimate arbiter of what constitutes top rated coffee beans. Londinium hold a wide range of coffee beans and roast them fresh to try and ensure we have a coffee to suit every taste in the broad spectrum of public opinion on coffee.