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 unable to find a roaster, search online for companies that will roast and ship your order.

Geography plays a huge factor in the taste of coffee like, so pay attention to the origin of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee species, but the two most frequently used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries in a year. It is also cheaper than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of all coffee produced around the world. While it's true that a subpar batch of robusta can taste like burnt rubber, a premium robusta brewed with specific beans can easily compete with Arabica in taste. The issue is that, with only a few exceptions the majority of robusta available on the market comes from plantations who only care about the quantity.

Robusta plants thrive in lower altitudes and their resistance to diseases and pests is a result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. This is the reason why Robustas a popular option for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. But, even though some companies may advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with other varieties of robusta to save money and give their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee may be more bitter, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It also has an almond, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors can be unpleasant to some or too strong for others.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside tiny, colorful fruits called coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant once they have reached ripeness and separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our cherished brew.

Arabica is the most popular bean variety in the world. They are renowned for their smooth, non-bitter taste. They're also renowned for their complexity and are able to provide a wide range of flavors. The main growing regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are ideal.

They are generally a higher price tag than Robusta because they require more care to ensure their growth. In order for the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. In fact, the finest coffee beans around originate from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to know if the coffee is single origin or not. "Single Origin" can mean many things however, it typically means that the coffee originates from only one farm, or region within the country. Third wave coffee is great because you can taste it in the most pure form knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink can be affected by the way it is prepared. The process of experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you discover the most optimal blend of coffee that fits your personal taste.

The grind size has a significant impact on the extraction of coffee solids soluble from the ground. This impacts the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine and water is unable to penetrate the ground and extract the solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction, and can result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water goes through the coffee too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, which results in bitterness.

It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee however it is preferential to buy whole beans and grind them yourself before making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool to create an even grind, but you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or bean coffee a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs which can be adjusted to ensure the perfect grind consistency. A smaller gap results in a finer grinding, while the larger gap results in an even coarser grinding.

Stores

Coffee beans deteriorate at an astonishing rate once they are opened, so it's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly sealed and bean coffee grind only as much as you need to make the next brew. You may want to purchase an open-top canister that is resealable to eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape when the beans are ground.

Whole bean coffee will remain at its freshest for up to a month when stored properly. However, once the coffee is ground the quality of your coffee will decrease in just 30 minutes. This is why it's best to only grind the amount you'll need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight, opaque container.

There is a huge range of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from getting inside. Some come with a one-way valve that releases the gases that are produced by freshly-roasted beans, which helps prolong the freshness of beans.

The ideal location to store your leftover coffee is in a dark, cool area that has a steady temperature. Avoid placing your coffee near the stove or the oven as the heat can accelerate chemical reactions that can degrade the coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight can cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and lose its flavor.