Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole coffee beans the local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy the beans. If you're not close to a roaster, search online for companies who will roast and deliver your order.

Geography plays a major factor in the taste of coffee like and so be aware of the origins of the beans you're buying.

Arabica vs. Robusta

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

Robusta accounts for 40% of all coffee produced around the world. While it's true that a poor quality robusta batch can taste like burnt rubber, a good robusta brewed with specialty beans can actually surpass Arabica in taste. The problem 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 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 Robusta a popular option for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. Even though some companies proclaim their product to be 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee may be more bitter and more bitter than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, colorful fruit called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our beloved brew.

The most well-known variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smooth taste that doesn't taste bitter. These beans are also renowned for their richness and are able to provide diverse flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, coffee bean suppliers near me where the conditions for the production of high-quality coffee are perfect.

These beans tend to have an expensive price than Robusta because they require more care in order to thrive. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. The top coffee beans in the entire world are originated from Africa. A lot of farms are family-owned and run on a smaller scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is crucial to consider whether the coffee is single origin or not. "Single Origin" can mean many things, but it most commonly means that the coffee Bean suppliers near me originates from only one farm, or region within a country. This is a large aspect of what makes third wave coffee so appealing knowing where your coffee originated allows you to enjoy it in its most pure form.

Grind

A high-quality brew starts with great coffee beans, however the process of grinding, brewing and serving can affect the final taste of your drink. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing methods will allow you to find the best blend of beans that suits your individual taste.

The size of the grind plays a major role in how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during brewing, and this impacts the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the ground and extract solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction, and can result in a weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine it will allow the water to pass through the grounds much faster and experience an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

It is possible to 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 were pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool for creating a consistent grind, but you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs which cut the beans into a certain grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap results in a finer grinding, while an increased gap produces more coarse grinding.

Stores

It is recommended to keep your bean bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you will need for the next brew. You may also want to look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will remove air and allow the CO2 emissions that occur when the beans are first crushed to escape.

If stored properly If stored properly, whole bean coffee can be kept fresh for as long as one month. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will begin to diminish in just 30 minutes. This is the reason it's important to only grind as much as you'll need and then store the rest in an airtight, clear container.

You can purchase a wide selection of attractive and easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, which will eliminate moisture from entering. Some even have a single-way valve that releases gasses released by freshly roasted coffee which can prolong the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store your coffee that is not used is a cool, dark area with an even temperature. Avoid placing it in the cabinet that is near your oven or stove, since the heat could accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Be sure to keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause the strong coffee beans to absorb and degrade the flavor.