Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole coffee beans Your local roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase the beans. If you're unable to live close to one, search online for companies that roast and ship to you.

Geography plays an important impact on how coffee tastes like therefore, pay attention to the origin of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee varieties however, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, disease and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also cheaper than arabica to grow.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While a low-quality batch can taste like burned rubber, a high-quality coffee brewed with specialty beans could match the taste of Arabica. The issue is that with a few exceptions the majority of the robusta available on the market comes only from plantations who are focused on quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations and their resistance to diseases and pests is a result of the high caffeine content in the beans. It's this fact that makes them a popular choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. However, although certain companies advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they typically mix it with a variety of robusta to save money and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher sharp, bitter and more granular taste than arabica. It may also have an almond, peanut or dark chocolate taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overpowering.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are taken from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being then used to make our favorite brew.

Arabica is the most well-known variety of beans around the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. These beans are also known for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for brewing high-quality coffee.

These beans tend to have a higher price tag than Robusta due to the fact that they require more attention for growth. They require certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall to create their flavor profile. The top coffee beans in the world are originated from Africa. Many of the farms are family-owned and operated on a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is essential to determine if the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can mean a number of things, but most often it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a particular country. This is a large part of what makes third wave coffee so appealing - knowing exactly the source of your coffee allows you to enjoy it in its purest form.

Grind

A high-quality cup starts with great coffee bean (www.coffeee.uk) beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can alter the taste of your cup. Experimenting with different grind sizes and brew methods will allow you to find the most optimal blend of coffee that suits your individual taste.

The grind size has a significant impact on the extraction of soluble coffee particles from the ground. This impacts the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds to extract the solids of the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction. It can lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water is able to pass through the ground too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

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

A burr grinder is a preferred tool for creating a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand-grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that cut beans into a particular grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap creates a finer grind while the one with a larger gap results in coarser grind.

Stores

It is best to keep your bag tightly shut and only grind what you will need for the next coffee. You might want to invest in an open-top canister that is resealable to eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape once the beans are ground.

Whole bean coffee can remain at its peak freshness for up to a month if stored correctly. But once it's ground the quality of your coffee may deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind the amount you'll need, and then keep the rest in a sealed, airtight container.

There is a huge selection of attractive and easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some even have a single valve that lets out the gasses produced by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to keep the coffee you haven't used is in a dark, cool place with the same temperature. Avoid storing your coffee near your oven or stove as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the coffee and degrade the flavor.