Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you are a fan of whole coffee beans the local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy the beans. If you're not lucky enough to live near one, look for online companies that roast and ship to customers who order.

The origin of the coffee beans can affect the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee species however, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also cheaper to cultivate than arabica.

Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all coffee produced in the world. While it's true that a subpar robusta batch can taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality robusta brewed with special beans can compete with Arabica in flavor. The problem is that, with a few exceptions, the majority of robusta on the market is from plantations that care only about quantity.

The high amount of caffeine in the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a favorite selection in traditional diner drinks and instant coffees. Even though some companies advertise their coffee as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with a type of robusta to save money and provide their customers with a lower quality cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It also has an almond, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, colorful fruit called Planet Java Blue Label Decaf Coffee Beans 1kg berries. When they are mature, the fruit are removed from the unroasted coffee beans wholesale plant and divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favorite coffee brew.

The most well-known variety of beans are Arabica They are well-known for their smooth taste that isn't bitter. These beans are also known as complex and able to provide a variety of flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for producing high-quality coffee.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more attention. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. In fact, the best coffee beans come from Africa and the continent of Africa, where many coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms, and operate at a micro level.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to know if the coffee is single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but most often it means that the coffee is sourced from a specific farm, crop or region within one country. Third wave coffee is good because you can experience it in its purest form, knowing exactly where it originated from.

Grind

A high-quality brew starts with the finest coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your cup. You can find the perfect mix of coffee by testing with different grind sizes and brew methods.

The size of the grind can have a significant impact on the extraction of the soluble coffee solids from the grounds. This affects the taste of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse the water won't be able to penetrate the grounds to get those soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction and may lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, water passes through the grounds too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee however it is preferential to buy whole beans and grind them yourself before brewing. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the best tool to create a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand grinder or a food processor, or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs which can be adjusted to provide a specific consistency in the grind. A smaller gap produces an easier grinding, whereas larger ones result in an even coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans degrade in a rapid manner once they've been exposed, so it's best to keep the bag tightly shut and Coffeee grind only the amount you'll need to make your next cup. You might also look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will eliminate air and allow the CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first ground to be released.

Whole bean coffee will remain at its freshest state for up to a month when stored properly. Once ground, your coffee's quality will decrease in only 30 minutes. This is the reason it's important to only grind as much as you'll need, and then keep the rest of the beans in an airtight, opaque container.

You can choose from a wide selection of attractive and convenient containers to store coffee. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some even have a single-way valve that will release the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which will extend the beans' freshness.

The ideal place to store your empty coffee is in a dark, cool space that is at a constant temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or oven since heat can accelerate chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. You should also keep the beans out of direct sunlight, since they will absorb the light and reduce their flavor.