Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you don't live near a roaster, search online for companies that will roast and ship your order.

The origin of your coffee beans will influence the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 different coffee varieties. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to pests, diseases and drought. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also less expensive than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While it's true that a low-quality batch of robusta might taste like burned rubber, a premium robusta brewed with specialty beans can actually compete with Arabica in flavor. The issue is that, with few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes only from plantations concerned about quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a popular choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, even though some companies claim their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with some type of robusta in order to save money and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, vibrant fruit 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 world's most popular variety of beans is Arabica and are renowned for their smooth flavor that isn't bitter. They're also regarded for their richness and capacity to provide a variety flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of high-quality coffee.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more care. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. In fact, the finest coffee beans around originate from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms that operate in a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to know if the coffee is single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but typically it means that the coffee comes from one farm, crop or region within a specific country. Third wave coffee is so good because you can experience it in the most pure form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

A great-quality brew begins with excellent coffee beans but the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your beverage. Try different grind sizes and brew methods will help you find the best blend of coffee that matches your personal preferences.

The size of the grind can have a significant impact on the extraction of soluble coffee solids from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine it is unable to get through the grind to extract the soluble Organic coffee beans to buy Beans (Led-5I8L419H33N.Net) solids out. This is known as under extraction and may result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will move through the ground much more quickly and will experience an over extraction. This can lead to bitterness.

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

The burr grinder is the most popular to create a consistent grinding however, you can also make use of a food processor, hand grinder or mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs which can be adjusted to create the perfect grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in the finest grinding, while the larger gap results in the coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans degrade at an astonishing rate once they've been exposed, so it's best to keep the bag tightly shut and only grind as much as you need to make the next brew. It is possible to purchase a resealable canister that will eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape after the beans are crushed.

Whole bean coffee can stay in its best condition for up to a month if stored correctly. Once ground, your coffee's quality will diminish 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 purchase a wide selection of attractive and easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from entering. Some even have a single-way valve that releases the gasses produced by freshly roasted coffee beans types which will extend the beans' freshness.

The best place to store your coffee that you don't use is in an area that is cool and dark with an even temperature. Do not store it in the cabinet near your oven or stove, as it can be heated and accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Also, keep the beans away from direct sunlight since they will absorb sunlight and lose their flavor.