Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole coffeee beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not lucky enough to live near one, look for online companies that roast and ship to order.

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

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee varieties however, the two most frequently used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also less expensive to cultivate than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While it's true that a subpar batch of robusta may taste like burnt rubber, a quality blend made from specific beans can easily compete with Arabica in flavor. The problem is that, with only a few exceptions the majority of robusta on the market comes from plantations who only care about the quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason why Robusta a popular choice for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. However, even though certain companies advertise their product as 100 arabica, they frequently mix it with some type of robusta to cut costs and offer their customers an unsatisfactory cup of coffee. Robusta is known to have a stronger, bitter and more grainy taste than arabica. It also has a nutty or peanut flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that are cultivated inside small vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. When ripe, these fruits are removed from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to create our favorite beverage.

The most sought-after variety of beans is Arabica and are known for their smooth flavor that doesn't taste bitter. They're also regarded as complex and able to provide a variety of flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee bean suppliers near me are ideal.

These beans typically have an expensive price than Robusta, due to the fact that they require more care in order to thrive. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. In reality, the best beans in the world come from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms and operated in a small scale.

When buying coffee, it is essential to determine if the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but generally it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a single country. This is a big part of what makes third wave coffee so appealing knowing exactly the source of your coffee lets you experience it in its most pure form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink can be affected by way it is prepared. Try different grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you find the perfect blend of barista coffee beans that is a perfect match for your taste.

The size of the grind plays a major impact on the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during making, and this affects the taste of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water is unable to penetrate the ground and extract the solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is referred to as under extraction and can result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water flows through the grounds too quickly and suffers an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee however it is preferential to purchase whole beans and grind them yourself immediately before brewing. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they were already ground.

The burr grinder is the most popular to ensure a consistent grinding however, you can utilize a food processor, hand grinder or mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders feature two cutting discs, which break beans into a particular grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap produces an easier grinding, whereas the larger gap results in an even coarser grinding.

Stores

Coffee beans deteriorate at an astonishing rate once they've been opened. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep the bag tightly shut and grind only enough for the next time you brew. You may also want to think about purchasing a resealable canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first crushed to be released.

Whole bean coffee can stay at its freshest state for up to a month if kept in a proper storage. But once it's ground the quality of your coffee could diminish in as little as 30 minutes. This is why it's recommended to only grind the amount you need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight and opaque container.

You can pick from a selection of attractive and practical containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from getting in. Others have a valve that lets out the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee which will prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to keep the coffee you haven't used is in an area that is cool and dark with constant temperature. Do not store it in the cabinet that is near your oven or stove, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. You should also keep the beans out of direct sunlight as they absorb sunlight and lose their flavor.