Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're unable to be in the vicinity of one, you can search for online companies that roast and deliver to customers who order.

Geography plays a significant role in what coffee tastes like So, be sure to consider the source of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee species However, the two most frequently utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to pests, diseases and drought. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also less expensive than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffee produced in the world. While a poor quality batch may taste like burned rubber, a superior coffee brewed with specialty beans could rival Arabica's flavor. The issue is that, with a few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who only care about quantity.

The high content of caffeine in the beans makes them resistant to disease and pests. It's this fact that makes Robusta a popular option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. Although some companies claim their product as 100 arabica, they often mix it with some sort of robusta in order to save money, but provide their customers with a subpar cup of coffee. Robusta coffee is typically more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It may also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant to some people or too strong for others.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which are cultivated inside small vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. These berries are removed from the coffee plant at the time they are ripe and then divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favourite coffee brew.

Arabica is the most well-known variety of beans in the world. They are known for their smooth, non-bitter taste. These beans are also renowned for their complexity and can provide many different flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for producing high quality coffee are ideal.

These beans typically have an expense that is higher than Robusta because they require more attention to ensure their growth. In order for the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. In reality, the top coffee beans originate from Africa and the continent of Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms that operate at a micro level.

Aside from the region that is growing another crucial aspect to take into account when buying coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but most commonly it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, crop or region within a specific country. This is a large part of what makes third wave coffee so appealing knowing where your coffee came from lets you enjoy it in its purest form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume is affected by the method of preparation. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing methods will help you discover the perfect blend of coffee that fits your personal taste.

The grind size is a significant factor in the extraction of soluble coffee particles from the grounds. This affects the taste of the coffee. If the grind is too fine the water won't be able to penetrate the grounds to get the coffee's soluble solids out. This is referred to as under extraction and can result in a weak coffee beans wholesale suppliers. If the grind isn't fine the water will flow through the grounds more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee however it is preferential to purchase whole beans and grind them yourself immediately before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if you were to purchase the pre-ground variety.

The burr grinding machine is ideal for a consistent grind however, you can also make use of a food processor, a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs, which break the beans into a certain grind consistency by adjusting the distance between burrs. A smaller gap results in more fine grinding, whereas the larger gap results in the coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate in a rapid manner once they've been opened, so it is a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly closed and grind only enough for your next brew. It is also advisable to look into buying a resealable container, which will block out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to escape.

Whole bean coffee can remain in its best condition for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. Once ground the quality of your coffee may decrease in just 30 minutes. This is why it's recommended to only grind as much as you'll need, and then keep the rest of the beans in an airtight and opaque container.

You can pick from a wide selection of attractive and convenient containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some have a one-way valve that releases gasses produced by freshly roasted coffee, which will prolong the freshness of the beans.

The ideal storage space for your unopened coffee is in a dark, cool space that is at a constant temperature. Avoid placing your cafe coffee beans in close proximity to your oven or stove as the heat can accelerate chemical reactions that destroy the coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and degrade the flavor.