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 purchase the beans. If you’re not fortunate enough to be in the vicinity of one, try searching online for companies who roast and then ship to order.

Geography plays a major factor in the taste of coffee like So, be sure to consider the origin of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee varieties However, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant against drought, pests, and diseases. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also cheaper than arabica in terms of cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffees produced around the world. While it’s true that a low-quality robusta batch can taste like burned rubber, a good blend made from special beans can compete with Arabica in flavor. The issue is that there are a few exceptions, but the majority of robusta sold on the market is from plantations that are concerned about quantity.

The high amount of caffeine in beans makes them immune to disease and pests. This is why they are the most popular choice in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. But, even though some companies may advertise their product as 100 arabica, they frequently mix it with a variety of robusta to save money and offer their customers the less than ideal cup of coffee. Robusta may have a harsher, bitter and more grainy taste than arabica. It also has a nutty or peanut flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. These berries are plucked from the coffee plant when ripe and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our cherished beverage.

The most well-known variety of beans is Arabica and are renowned for their smoky flavor that isn’t bitter. They are also renowned for their complexity, and they can offer many different flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for the production of high-quality coffee are ideal.

They are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more care. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall. In reality, the top coffee beans originate from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro scale.

In addition to the region in which it is grown an additional factor to take into account when buying coffee is whether or not it’s of single origin. “Single origin” could mean a range of things, but most often it means that the organic coffee beans is sourced from a single farm, crop or region within a single country. This is a large part of what makes third wave coffee so great knowing exactly the source of your coffee allows you to enjoy it in its purest form.

Grind

A good-quality brew begins with excellent coffee beans however the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can alter the flavor of your drink. Try different grind sizes and brew methods will allow you to find the best blend of coffee that suits your individual taste.

Grind size plays a big role in how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, and it affects the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too fine, water cannot penetrate the grounds to extract the soluble coffee solids. This is called under extraction, and can result in weak coffee. If the grind is fine it will allow the water to pass through the ground much more quickly and experience an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee however, it is recommended to purchase whole beans and grind your own beans as soon as you can prior to brewing. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool for creating a consistent grind, but you can also use a hand local grinder or local a food processor as well as a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs, which break the beans into a specific grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap creates more fine grind, while an increased gap creates a coarser grind.

Storage

Coffee beans are degraded at a rapid rate after they are opened, so it’s best to keep the bag tightly closed and only grind enough for your next brew. It is possible to purchase the resealable containers that remove the air and allow CO2 to escape when the beans are crushed.

Whole bean coffee will remain at its freshest state for up to a month when stored in a safe manner. Once your coffee is ground, its quality will degrade in just 30 minutes. It is best to only drink the amount of coffee you’ll need, and keep the remainder in an opaque, airtight container.

You can pick from a variety of attractive and easy-to-use containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum sealed to stop moisture from entering. Some come with a one-way valve that releases the gases produced by freshly roasted beans, which prolongs the freshness of beans.

The best place to store your unused coffee is a dark, cool place with an even temperature. Do not store it in the cabinet by the oven or stove, since it can be heated and accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause them to absorb it and degrade the flavor.