Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you're a big fan of whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're unable to live near one, look for online companies who roast and then ship to order.
Geography plays an important influence on what coffee tastes like and so be aware of the origins of the beans you purchase.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are more than 100 different 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 altitudes and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive to cultivate than arabica.
Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all coffee produced around the world. Although a poor-quality batch might taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality brew using specialty beans can surpass the flavor of Arabica. The issue is that, with only a few exceptions the majority of robusta on the market comes from plantations that are only concerned about quantity.
Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to disease and pests is the result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. This is why they are a common option in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, while some companies claim their product as 100 arabica-based, they typically mix it with other varieties of robusta in order to save money and give their customers the least desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee may be more bitter, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It also has an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overpowering.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. When they are mature, the berries are removed from the coffee plant and split into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being used to create our beloved beverage.
Arabica is the most sought-after variety of bean in the world. They are well-known for their soft, non-bitter flavor. These beans 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.
They are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more care. For the flavor profile of these beans to develop, they need specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. strong coffee beans in the entire world are from Africa. A lot of farms are owned by families and run on a small scale.
Aside from the growing region an additional factor to consider when buying coffee is whether or not it's single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things however, it typically indicates that the coffee is from only one 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 by knowing where it came from.
Grind
The quality of the coffee you drink can be affected by way it is prepared. You can discover the perfect combination of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods.
Grind size plays a big role in how the soluble coffee components are extracted from the grounds during the brewing process, which affects the taste of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too coarse it is unable to penetrate the ground to pull the soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction, and can cause a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water is able to pass through the ground too quickly and undergoes an over extraction that results in bitterness.
You can purchase coffee that has been ground, but it's best to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they were already ground.
The burr grinder is the most popular for creating a consistent grinding, but you can make use of a food processor hand grinder, or mortar-and-pestle. The burr grinder is equipped with two cutting discs which can be adjusted to produce a specific consistency in the grind. A smaller gap results in more fine grind, while the larger gap produces an even coarser grind.
Storage
It is best to keep your bag tightly closed and only grind what you'll require for the next coffee. It is also advisable to look into purchasing a resealable coffee container, which will block out air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first crushed to escape.
Whole bean coffee will remain at its freshest state for up to a month when kept in a proper storage. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will begin to diminish in just 30 minutes. It is best to only drink the amount of coffee you need, and store the remainder in an opaque, airtight container.
You can pick from a wide selection of attractive and convenient containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum sealed to stop moisture from getting inside. Some even have a single valve that lets out the gasses generated by freshly roasted beans, which prolongs the freshness of beans.
The best place to store your unused coffee is a dark, cool area with a constant temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet near your oven or stove, since it can be heated and accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans away from direct sunlight, since they will absorb the light and lose their flavor.