Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans the best place to buy them is at your local coffee beans To buy shop or roaster. If you're not fortunate enough to live near one, you can search for online companies who roast and then ship to order.

Geography plays a major influence on what coffee tastes like, so pay attention to the origin of the beans you're purchasing.

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 to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also cheaper to cultivate than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While it's true that an inferior batch of robusta can taste like burnt rubber, a premium coffee beans blend made from special beans can surpass Arabica in taste. The problem is, with few exceptions, the majority of robusta sold on the market comes from plantations that are concerned about quantity.

The high content of caffeine in the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are the most popular option in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. Although some companies claim their product as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some type of robusta to save money, and give their customers an inferior cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh and more bitter than arabica. It also has the flavor of peanuts or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant once they have reached ripeness and then divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being used to create our beloved beverage.

Arabica is the most sought-after variety of bean in the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. They're also renowned for their complexity and offer diverse flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of high-quality coffee.

They are generally an expense that is higher than Robusta due to the fact that they require more care in order to thrive. In order for the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall. In fact, the finest coffee beans on the planet come from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms that operate at a micro level.

Aside from the growing region an additional factor to consider when buying coffee is whether or not it's of single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things however, it typically means that the coffee comes from one particular farm, or region within the country. This is a big aspect of what makes third wave coffee so great - knowing exactly where your coffee originated lets you enjoy it in its purest form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by method of preparation. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brewing techniques.

Grind size plays a big impact on the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, and it affects 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 the coffee solids that are soluble. This is referred to as under extraction and can lead to weak coffee beans to buy. If the grind is too fine, the water passes through the grounds too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans right away prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and will last longer than if were to purchase the pre-ground coffee.

A burr grinder is the most popular tool to create 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 can be adjusted to produce an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in a finer grinding, while the larger gap results in the coarser grinding.

Storage

It is recommended to keep your coffee bag tightly closed and only grind as much as you'll require for the next brew. You may also want to look into buying a resealable container, which will block out air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first ground to escape.

Whole bean coffee will stay in its best condition for up to a month if stored correctly. Once ground, the quality of your coffee can decrease in just 30 minutes. This is why it's best to only grind as much as you'll need, and then keep the rest of the beans in a sealed, airtight container.

You can choose from a range of attractive and easy-to-use containers for storing coffee. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from getting in. Some come with a one-way valve that lets out the gases produced by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the beans' freshness.

The ideal storage space for your unopened coffee is in a dark, cool area with a stable temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or oven since heat can accelerate chemical reactions that degrade the coffee. It is also important to keep the beans out of direct sunlight as they absorb sunlight and reduce their flavor.