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 lucky enough to live close to one, look for online companies that roast and deliver to you.

The origin of your coffee beans will have a significant impact on the taste.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties, but the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, disease and pests. It can be planted at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive than arabica in terms of cultivation.

Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all good coffee beans produced around the world. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta can taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality brew made with specialty beans can actually compete with Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta on the market comes from plantations that only care about the quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower altitudes and their resistance to disease and pests is a result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. It's this fact that makes Robustas a favorite choice for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. But, even though some companies may advertise their product as 100 arabica, they frequently mix it with a variety of robusta in order to save money and offer their customers the less than ideal cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, sour and more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside tiny fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. When they are mature, the fruit are removed from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being used to make our beloved drink.

The most popular variety of beans are Arabica and are renowned for their smooth taste that doesn't have any bitterness. They're also regarded for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of top-quality coffee.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more attention. They require specific temperatures and enough rainfall to establish their flavor profile. In reality, the top coffee beans around come from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms and operated in a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is important to be aware of whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single Origin" can mean many things but generally means that the coffee comes from one particular farm, crop, or region in the same country. Third wave coffee is so excellent because you get to experience it in the most pure form knowing where it came from.

Grind

A high-quality cup starts with the best coffee beans, however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving will affect the final flavor of your beverage. You can discover the perfect combination of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brew techniques.

Grind size plays a big factor in how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, which affects the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine it is difficult for water to penetrate the ground and extract solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is called under extraction and can result in a weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine it will allow the water to pass through the grounds much faster and experience an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee but it is recommended to purchase whole beans and then grind them yourself immediately before making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they had been pre-ground.

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 are equipped with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to produce a particular grind consistency. A smaller gap produces more fine grinding, whereas an increased gap produces the coarser grinding.

Stores

It is recommended to keep your bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you will need for the next brew. It is also advisable to think about purchasing a resealable container, which will block out air and allow CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to escape.

Whole bean to cup coffee beans coffee can remain at its peak freshness for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. After the coffee beans for sale has been ground, its quality will diminish in less than 30 minutes. This is why it's recommended to only grind as much as you'll need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight and opaque container.

You can choose from a selection of attractive and convenient containers for storing coffee. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from getting in. Some even have a single-way valve that lets out the gases produced by freshly roasted coffee, which will prolong the freshness of the beans.

The best place to keep your coffee that you don't use is in a dark, cool area with the same temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet near your stove or oven, as the heat can speed up the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Also, keep the beans out of direct sunlight, since they will absorb the light and lose their flavor.