Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy the beans. If you're unable to find a roaster, go online for companies that roast and deliver your order.

The origin of the coffee beans can influence the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every 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 might taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality brew using specialty beans can rival Arabica's flavor. The problem is there are a few exceptions, but the majority of robusta sold on the market comes only from plantations that are only focused on quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations and their resistance to diseases and pests is because of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is the reason they are the most popular option in traditional diner coffees and bean coffee instant coffees. Although some companies claim their coffee as being 100 arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money and provide their customers with a subpar cup of coffee. Robusta may have a harsher bitter, sour and more grainy taste than arabica. It also has the flavor of peanuts or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When they reach their peak, the fruits are removed from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our most-loved drink.

The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica, and they're known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. They're also regarded for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for making high-quality coffee are perfect.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more care. They need certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall to develop their flavor profile. In reality, the best beans in the world originate from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are owned by family farms and operated on a micro-scale.

Aside from the region that is growing, another important factor to take into consideration when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's of single origin. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but most often it means that the coffee comes from a single farm, crop or region within a particular country. This is a big component of what makes the third wave coffee so amazing knowing exactly where your coffee originated lets you enjoy it in its purest form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by the method of preparation. You can discover the perfect mix of coffee by testing with different grind sizes and brew techniques.

The size of the grind plays a significant role in how the soluble coffee components are extracted from the grounds during brewing, and this impacts the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able get through the grind to extract the soluble coffee solids out. This is called under extraction and can lead to weak coffee. If the grind is fine the water will move through the ground much more quickly and experience an over extraction. This can cause bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to buy whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before making. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the most popular tool for creating 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 create a specific consistency in the grind. A smaller gap will result in more fine grinding, whereas larger ones result in a coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans can degrade at an astonishing rate once they've been opened, so it is a good idea to keep the bag tightly closed and only grind enough for your next brew. You might also consider purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will remove air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to be released.

If stored properly If stored properly, whole bean coffee can keep fresh for up to one month. However, once ground, the quality of your coffee may diminish in as little as 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind the amount you need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight, opaque container.

You can pick from a variety of attractive and practical containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum sealed to stop moisture from getting inside. Others have a one-way valve that will release the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which can prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to store the coffee you haven't used is in an area that is cool and dark with a constant temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your oven or stove as the heat can accelerate chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight will cause them to absorb it and lose its flavor.