Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not near the roaster, you can search online for companies who will roast and deliver your order.

The origin of the Coffee beans to buy beans can have a big impact on the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 different coffee varieties. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica.

Robusta accounts for 40% of all coffee produced in the world. Although a poor-quality batch may taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality coffee brewed with specialty beans could surpass the flavor of Arabica. The issue is that with a few exceptions the majority of robusta sold on the market comes from plantations that are focused on quantity.

The high content of caffeine in the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a favorite choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, while certain companies advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they typically mix it with a variety of robusta in order to save money and provide their customers with the less than ideal cup of coffee. Robusta unroasted coffee beans wholesale can be harsher and more bitter than arabica. It can also have the peanut, nutty or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant to some people or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. When they reach their peak, the fruit are removed from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our most-loved beverage.

The most well-known variety of beans is Arabica, and they're known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. They are also regarded for their richness and capacity to provide a variety flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of high-quality coffee.

These beans tend to have an expensive price than Robusta because they require more attention for growth. They require specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall to establish their flavor profile. In reality, the best coffee beans on the planet originate from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms and operated on a micro scale.

Aside from the region that is growing, another important factor to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things, but it most commonly indicates that the coffee is from one farm, a or region within the country. Third wave coffee is good because it allows you to experience it in its most pure form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink will be affected by the way it is prepared. You can find the perfect mix of coffee by testing with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

The grind size has a major impact on the extraction of the soluble coffee solids from the ground. This affects the taste of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds and extract the coffee solids that are soluble. This is referred to as under extraction and could result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water passes through the grounds too quickly and experiences an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can purchase coffee that has been ground however, it is recommended to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans right away prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if were to buy the pre-ground coffee.

A burr grinder is the best tool for creating a consistent grind, but 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 into a certain grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in an easier grinding, whereas a bigger one produces more coarse grinding.

Stores

Coffee beans can degrade in a rapid manner once they've been exposed, so it's a good idea to keep the bag tightly shut and only grind enough for your next brew. You may also consider purchasing a resealable coffee container, which will block out air and allow the CO2 emissions that occur when the beans are first crushed to be released.

If stored properly If stored properly, whole bean coffee can remain fresh for up to one month. Once ground, your coffee's quality will begin to diminish in just 30 minutes. It's best to only use as much coffee as you need, and store the remainder in a transparent, airtight container.

You can pick from a variety of attractive and simple-to-use containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from entering. Others have a one-way valve that will release the gasses that are produced by freshly roasted coffee which will prolong the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store the coffee you haven't used is in a cool, dark area with constant temperature. Avoid placing it in the cabinet next to your stove or oven, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight can cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and degrade the flavor.