Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a big fan of whole coffee beans the local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy them. If you don't live near a roaster, go online for companies that roast and ship your order.

The origin of your coffee beans will influence the taste.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 different coffee varieties. The two most commonly used are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to diseases, pests and drought. It can be grown at lower elevations and whole bean coffee produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also cheaper than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While a low-quality batch can taste like burnt rubber, a premium coffee brewed with specialty beans could surpass the flavor of Arabica. The issue is that, with few exceptions, the majority of robusta sold on the market comes only from plantations that are focused on quantity.

The high content of caffeine in beans makes them immune to disease and pests. This is why they are a popular choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, although certain companies advertise their product as 100% arabica, they often mix it with some form of robusta in order to save money and offer their customers an unsatisfactory cup of coffee beans fresh. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It also has the peanut, nutty or dark chocolate covered coffee beans taste. These flavors can be unpleasant to some or too strong for others.

Origin

organic coffee beans beans are actually seeds that grow inside of small vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. When they are ripe, the fruit are removed from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our beloved brew.

The most well-known variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smooth flavor which isn't bitter. They're also regarded as being complex and able to offer a variety of 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 optimal.

They are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more care. For the flavor profile to develop, they require certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall. The finest coffee beans in the entire world are made from Africa. A lot of farms are run by family members and operate on a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to know if the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can mean a number of things, but most often it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a specific country. Third wave coffee is great because you can taste it in its purest form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by method of preparation. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing methods will allow you to find the perfect blend of coffee that fits your personal taste.

The size of the grind plays a significant role in how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during brewing, and this impacts the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too fine, water isn't able to penetrate the ground to pull the coffee's soluble solids out. This is referred to as under extraction, and can result in a weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water goes through the coffee too quickly and undergoes an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee but it is recommended to buy whole beans and grind the coffee yourself prior to making. This will ensure that your beans are fresh coffee beans and also last longer than if you were to purchase the pre-ground variety.

The burr grinding machine is ideal for a consistent grind but you can also make use of a food processor, hand-grinders or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs which cut beans into a particular grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap produces the finest grind, whereas an increased gap creates coarser grind.

Storage

It is best to keep your coffee bag tightly closed and only grind as much as you will need for the next brew. It is also advisable to look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will remove air and allow CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first ground to escape.

If properly stored, whole bean coffee can last for up to one month. Once ground, your coffee's quality will degrade in just 30 minutes. It is best to use the amount of coffee you need, and store the rest in an opaque, airtight container.

You can choose from a selection of attractive and simple-to-use containers for storing coffee. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, Whole bean coffee which stops moisture from getting in. Some even have a one-way valve that lets out the gases generated by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the freshness of beans.

The best place to store your empty coffee is in a cool, dark area with a stable temperature. Do not store it in the cabinet near your oven or stove, as the heat can speed up the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Be sure to keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and lose its flavor.