Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you're a lover of whole beans the best place to buy them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're unable to be near one, you can search for online companies that roast and ship to you.
The origin of the coffee beans can have a significant impact on the taste.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are more than 100 coffee species However, the two most frequently used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, disease and pests. It can be planted at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also cheaper to cultivate than arabica.
Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta may taste like burnt rubber, a good blend made from special beans can compete with Arabica in flavor. The problem is that, with only a few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who only care about quantity.
The high amount of caffeine in the beans makes them invulnerable to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a favorite choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. Even though some companies proclaim their product to be 100 arabica, they often mix it with a type of robusta to save money, but offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh and more bitter than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant to some people or too strong.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that are cultivated inside small fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant when ripe and then divided into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to create our favorite beverage.
Arabica is the most sought-after variety of beans around the world. They are renowned for their smooth, non-bitter taste. They're also regarded for their complexity and ability to offer a variety flavors. They are typically grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of top-quality coffee.
These beans tend to have more expensive prices than Robusta because they require more care in order to flourish. They require certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall to create their flavor profile. The best coffee beans in the world come made from Africa. A lot of farms are owned by families and run on a small scale.
Aside from the growing region, another important factor to consider when buying coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things however it usually indicates that the coffee is from a single farm, or region within a country. Third wave coffee is great because you can taste it in its purest form, knowing exactly where it originated from.
Grind
The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by the method of preparation. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brew techniques.
The grind size is a significant factor in the extraction of coffee solids soluble from the ground. This impacts the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds to extract the coffee solids that are soluble. This is called under extraction and can lead to weak coffee. If the grind is fine the water will move through the ground much more quickly and result in an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.
You can buy pre-ground coffee, but it's best to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before making. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and also last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground variety.
A burr grinder is the preferred tool for creating an even grind, however you can also use a hand grinder or a food processor as well as a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that cut the beans into a certain grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap produces more fine grind, while a larger one produces coarser grind.
Storage
Coffee beans are degraded rapidly after they've been opened. Therefore, bulk coffee beans 's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly closed and only grind enough for the next time you brew. You may also want to think about purchasing a resealable canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first ground to be released.
Whole bean coffee can stay at its peak freshness for up to a month if stored properly. However, once ground, the quality of your coffee will begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. It is best to use the amount of coffee you'll need, and keep the remainder in an opaque airtight container.
You can buy a wide variety of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from entering. Some even have a single-way valve that lets out the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which will preserve the freshness of the beans.
The best location to store your leftover coffee is in a dark, cool area with a stable temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your stove or the oven as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that destroy the coffee. It is also important to keep the beans out of direct sunlight, as they absorb sunlight and lose their flavor.