Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee Beans To buy independent or roaster. If you're not fortunate enough to live close to one, look for online companies that roast and deliver to customers who order.

Geography plays a major factor in the taste of coffee like therefore, pay attention to the source of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties. The two most popular are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant against diseases, pests and drought. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also cheaper than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta can taste like burned rubber, a quality coffee made with specific beans can easily surpass Arabica in flavor. The issue is that, with only a few exceptions, the majority of robusta available on the market is sourced from plantations that are only concerned about the quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to diseases and pests is the result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. It's this fact that makes them a popular choice for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. However, even though some companies claim their product as 100 arabica-based, they typically mix it with other varieties of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with an unsatisfactory cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher sharp, bitter and more granular taste than arabica. It also has the flavor of peanuts or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, colorful fruit called coffee berries. These berries are removed from the coffee plant when ripe and then separated into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our most-loved drink.

Arabica is the most sought-after bean variety in the world. They are renowned for their smooth, non-bitter taste. They are also regarded for their richness and capacity to offer a variety of flavors. These beans are primarily 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, because their growth requires more care. For the flavor profile of these beans to develop, they require certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall. In reality, the best coffee beans originate from Africa and the continent of Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family farms and operated on a micro scale.

Aside from the growing region, another important factor to take into account when buying coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things but generally refers to the fact that the coffee comes from a single farm, crop, or region in a particular country. This is a big part of what makes third wave coffee so amazing knowing exactly where your coffee originated allows you to experience it in its purest form.

Grind

A high-quality cup starts with great coffee beans, however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your drink. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you find the best blend of coffee that is a perfect match for your taste.

The size of the grind plays an important factor in how the soluble coffee particles are extracted from the ground during brewing, and this impacts the taste of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water isn't able penetrate the grounds to get the soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction and can result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will flow through the grounds much faster and result in an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

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

A burr grinder is a preferred tool to create an even grind, however you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders feature two cutting discs, which break the beans to a specific grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in the finest grind, whereas the one with a larger gap results in more coarse grind.

Stores

It is best to keep your bag tightly shut and only grind the amount you will need for the next coffee. You may also consider purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will remove air and allow the CO2 emissions that occur when the beans are first ground to escape.

When stored properly If stored properly, whole bean coffee can be kept fresh for as long as one month. Once ground the quality of your coffee could begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind the amount you need and then store the rest in a sealed, airtight container.

You can pick from a wide selection of attractive and simple-to-use containers for storing coffee. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from entering. Some have a one-way valve that lets out the gases produced by freshly roasted coffee which will extend the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store your empty coffee is in a dark, cool space that is at a constant temperature. Avoid placing your coffee near the oven or stove as the heat can accelerate chemical reactions that can degrade the coffee. Be sure to keep the beans out of direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the specialty coffee beans and degrade the flavor.