Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or organic coffee beans shop is the best place to purchase them. If you're unable to find an espresso machine, look online for companies who will roast and deliver your order.

Geography plays a major role in what coffee tastes like therefore, pay attention to the country of origin of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties However, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, pests and drought. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive to cultivate than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffee that is produced in the world. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta might taste like burned rubber, a good robusta brewed with specialty beans can be able to surpass Arabica in taste. The issue is that, with few exceptions, most robusta that is sold on the market is from plantations who are concerned about quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower altitudes, and their resistance to disease and pests is because of the high caffeine content in the beans. It's this fact that makes Robustas a favorite choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. Although some companies claim their product as 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some sort of robusta in order to save money and give their customers an inferior cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

coffee beans gift set beans are actually seeds that develop in small, bright fruits called coffee berries. When they are mature, the fruit are removed from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to create our favorite brew.

The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica, and they're known for their smooth flavor that isn't bitter. They're also regarded for their richness and capacity to provide a variety flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for Decaffeinated coffee beans making high-quality coffee are ideal.

They are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more attention. They need specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall to develop their flavor profile. In fact, the best beans in the world originate from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee beans in chocolate farms are owned by family farms and operated on a micro scale.

When buying coffee, it's important to know if the speciality coffee beans is single origin or not. "Single origin" can mean a number of things, but generally it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, crop or region within one country. This is a large aspect of what makes third wave coffee so appealing knowing the source of your coffee lets you experience it in its purest form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by method of preparation. Try different grind sizes and brew methods will allow you to find the perfect blend of coffee that fits your personal taste.

The grind size has a significant impact on the extraction of coffee solids soluble from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the decaffeinated coffee Beans. If the grind is too coarse it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds and extract the soluble coffee solids. This is known as under extraction and may lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will flow through the grounds much faster and suffer from an over extraction. This can cause bitterness.

You can purchase coffee that has been ground but it's better to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans directly prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and will last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground variety.

The burr grinder is the most popular to create a consistent grinding however, you can utilize a food processor, hand grinder, or mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs that can be adjusted to provide the perfect grind consistency. A smaller gap creates an easier grind, while an increased gap creates more coarse grind.

Storage

It is recommended to keep your bag tightly closed and only grind the amount you'll need for the next brew. You may want to buy the resealable containers that eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape when the beans are crushed.

Whole bean coffee will stay at its freshest for up to a month when stored correctly. Once your coffee is ground, its quality will diminish in less than 30 minutes. This is why it's best to only grind as much as you require and then store the remaining beans in a sealed, airtight container.

You can choose from a range of attractive and simple-to-use containers to store coffee. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from entering. Others have a valve that releases the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which will extend the beans' freshness.

The best place to store your coffee that is not used is an area that is cool and dark with the same temperature. Avoid placing it in the cabinet next to your oven or stove, as the heat could accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause them to absorb it and degrade the flavor.