Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not near a roaster, go online for companies that will roast and ship your order.

The origin of the coffee beans can influence the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 distinct Coffee Beans to buy varieties. Two of the most well-known are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also cheaper to grow than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffee that is produced around the world. While it's true that an inferior robusta batch can taste like burned rubber, a premium robusta brewed with specific beans can easily surpass Arabica in taste. The issue is that, with few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market is from plantations that are only focused on quantity.

The high level of caffeine in the beans makes them resistant to disease and pests. This is why they are the most popular choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, although some companies claim their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with some form of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta has a more harsh bitter, sour and more grainy taste than arabica. It also has an almond, peanut or dark chocolate taste. These flavors can be unpleasant for some or too strong for others.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, colorful fruit called coffee berries. When ripe, these fruits are removed from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our favorite beverage.

The most popular variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. These beans are also known for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. They are typically grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for brewing high-quality coffee.

These beans usually have an expensive price than Robusta, due to the fact that they require more attention in order to thrive. In order for the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and coffee beans to buy a sufficient amount of rainfall. In fact, the best beans in the world originate from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms that operate at a micro level.

Aside from the region that is growing Another important aspect to take into consideration when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things but generally means that the coffee comes from one particular farm, crop, or region in the same country. Third wave coffee is so good because you can experience it in the purest form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee beans to buy you consume will be affected by the method of preparation. You can discover the perfect mix of coffee by testing with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

The size of the grind plays an important impact on how the soluble coffee particles are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, which affects the taste of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water isn't able penetrate the ground to pull those soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction. It can lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is fine, the water will pass through the coffee grounds faster and will experience an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to buy whole bean and grind your own beans right away prior to making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they were ground pre-priced.

The burr grinder is the most popular for creating a consistent grinding however, you can also make use of a food processor a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs that cut the beans into a certain grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap produces more fine grinding, whereas a bigger one produces a coarser grinding.

Stores

Coffee beans are degraded rapidly after they've been opened, so it is a good idea to keep the bag tightly shut and grind only enough for your next brew. You might also consider purchasing a resealable coffee canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first ground to escape.

Whole bean coffee can remain at its peak freshness for up to a month when stored properly. Once ground the quality of your coffee can begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. It is recommended to only use as much coffee as you require, and then store the remainder in a transparent airtight container.

You can pick from a range of attractive and convenient containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed to keep moisture from getting inside. Some even have a single-way valve that releases the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which can prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to store your unused coffee is in a cool, dark area that has a steady temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet next to your oven or stove, since the heat can speed up the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. You should also keep the beans out of direct sunlight as they absorb sunlight and lose their flavor.