Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole coffee beans The local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase them. If you're not lucky enough to live close to one, search online for companies who roast and then ship to you.

Geography plays a significant impact on how organic coffee beans tastes like therefore, pay attention to the source of the beans you're purchasing.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee species. Two of the most well-known are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant against pests, diseases and drought. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. Although a poor-quality batch may taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality blend made with specialty beans can match the taste of Arabica. The issue is that, with a few exceptions, the majority of robusta sold on the market comes from plantations that care only 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. This is why they are a popular choice in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. Even though some companies proclaim their product as being 100 arabica, they often mix it with some type of robusta to save money, but offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta is known to have a stronger, bitter and more grainy taste than arabica. It also has an nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. These flavors can be unpleasant for some or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. These berries are pulled from the coffee plant when ripe and then split into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to create our favorite brew.

The most sought-after variety of beans is Arabica and are renowned for their smooth taste that doesn't have any bitterness. These beans are also known for their richness and offer many different flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for making high-quality coffee are perfect.

They are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more attention. For the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall. In fact, the finest coffee beans around originate from Africa, where many coffee farms are owned by family farms and operated on a micro-scale.

Aside from the region that is growing an additional factor to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single origin" can mean a variety of things, but most often it means that the coffee is sourced from a specific farm, crop or region within one country. This is a significant aspect of what makes third wave coffee so great - knowing exactly where your coffee came from allows you to enjoy it in its most pure form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by the way it is prepared. The process of experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods will help you discover the best blend of coffee that suits your individual taste.

The size of the grind plays a major role in the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during brewing, and this impacts the taste of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine it is difficult for water to penetrate the ground and extract the coffee solids that are soluble. This is known as under extraction, and can result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water passes through the grounds too quickly and experiences an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can purchase coffee that has been ground but it is recommended to buy whole beans and grind them yourself before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and also last longer than if were to purchase the pre-ground coffee.

The burr grinding machine is ideal to ensure a consistent grinding, but you can utilize a food processor, hand grinder or mortar and pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs which can be adjusted to produce an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap produces an easier grind, organic coffee beans while the one with a larger gap results in an even coarser grind.

Storage

It is best to keep your coffee bag tightly shut and only grind what you'll require for the next coffee. You might also look into purchasing a resealable coffee container, which will block out air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first crushed to escape.

If stored properly When stored properly, whole bean coffee will remain fresh for up to one month. Once ground, the quality of your coffee can decrease in just 30 minutes. It is best to use as much coffee as you need, and then store the remainder in an opaque airtight container.

You can choose from a range of attractive and practical containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from getting in. Others have a valve that releases gasses that are produced by freshly roasted coffee, which can prolong the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store your unused coffee is in a cool, dark location that has a steady temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or the oven as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and lose flavor.