Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole beans, the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you don't live near the roaster, you can search online for companies who will roast and deliver your order.

The origin of your coffee beans will affect the taste.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee varieties, but the two most frequently utilized 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 to grow.

Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all coffee produced in the world. While it's true that a subpar batch of robusta might taste like burned rubber, a quality blend made from special beans can compete with Arabica in flavor. The issue is that there are some exceptions, however, most robusta that is sold on the market comes from plantations who are concerned 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 them a popular choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. Even though some companies advertise their product as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some sort of robusta in order to save money and provide their customers with a lower quality cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have the peanut, nutty or dark chocolate taste. These flavors can be unpleasant to some or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When they are ripe, the berries are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our favorite drink.

Arabica is the most popular variety of beans around the world. They are known for their soft, non-bitter flavor. They're also regarded for their richness and capacity to offer a variety of flavors. The main growing regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for coffee Beans types making high-quality coffee beans types are perfect.

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

When purchasing coffee, coffee beans types it is essential to consider whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can mean a variety of things, but most often it means that the coffee comes from a single farm, crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is so good because it allows you to experience it in the purest form, knowing exactly where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink is affected by the way it is prepared. Try different grind sizes and brewing methods will allow you to find the best blend of beans that matches your personal preferences.

The size of the grind plays an important influence on how the soluble coffee particles are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, which affects the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too fine, water cannot penetrate the grounds to extract the coffee solids that are soluble. This is called under extraction and could result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water goes through the coffee too quickly and undergoes an over extraction that results in bitterness.

It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and will last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground coffee.

The burr grinding machine is ideal to ensure a consistent grinding however, you can also make use of a food processor a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. The burr grinder is equipped with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to ensure a particular grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in the finest grinding, while a bigger one produces a coarser grinding.

Stores

It is best to keep your coffee bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you'll require for 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 at its freshest state for up to a month when stored properly. But once it's ground, the quality of your coffee may begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. This is why it's best to only grind as much as you'll need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight, opaque container.

You can purchase a wide variety of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some even have a single valve that lets out the gases generated by freshly roasted beans, which prolongs the beans' freshness.

The ideal place to store your unused coffee is in a dark, cool area that has a steady temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet near your oven or stove as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans out of direct sunlight, as they will absorb the light and reduce their flavor.