The 10 Scariest Things About Coffee Beans To Buy

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase them. If you're unable to be near one, try searching online for companies who medium roast coffee beans and then ship to order.

Geography plays a huge role in what coffee beans unroasted tastes like therefore, pay attention to the country of origin of the beans you're buying.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties however, the two most frequently utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is better able to withstand drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also cheaper than arabica in terms of cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee beans to buy production. While it's true that a poor quality robusta batch can taste like burned rubber, a high-quality coffee made with specialty beans can be able to rival Arabica in flavor. The problem is there are some exceptions, however, most robusta that is sold on the market comes from plantations that are focused on quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to diseases and pests is the result of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is the reason why Robustas a favorite option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. Even though some companies advertise their product as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some sort of robusta in order to save money and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee is typically more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It also has an nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant to some people or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are removed from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our favorite brew.

The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. These beans are also known as complex and able to provide a variety of flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-good quality coffee beans coffee are optimal.

These beans tend to have an expensive price than Robusta because they require more care in order to flourish. They require certain temperatures and sufficient rainfall to develop their flavor profile. In fact, the best beans in the world originate from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms and operated on a micro-scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is crucial to consider whether 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 a single farm, crop or region within one country. Third wave coffee is excellent because you get to experience it in its most pure form knowing where it came from.

Grind

A high quality coffee beans-quality brew starts with the finest coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can alter the flavor of your cup. The process of experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods will allow you to find the best blend of coffee that matches your personal preferences.

The size of the grind plays a major impact on how the soluble coffee components are extracted from the grounds during making, and this affects the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine it is unable to penetrate the ground to pull the soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction and can result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will flow through the coffee grounds faster and result in an over extraction. This can lead to bitterness.

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

The burr grinder is the most popular for creating a consistent grinding, but you can utilize a food processor, hand-grinders or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs, which break the beans to a specific grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in more fine grind, while the one with a larger gap results in more coarse grind.

Storage

It is best to keep your coffee bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you will need for the next brew. You may also look into buying a resealable canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first ground to escape.

Whole bean coffee can remain at its freshest for up to a month when stored in a safe manner. However, once the coffee is ground the quality of your coffee will deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. It is best to only drink as much coffee as you need, and store the remainder in a transparent airtight container.

You can find a vast selection of attractive and easy-to-use coffee bean suppliers storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed, which will eliminate moisture from entering. Some come with a one-way valve that releases the gases generated by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the freshness of beans.

The best place to keep your coffee that is not used is a dark, cool place with a constant temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your stove or oven since heat can accelerate chemical reactions that degrade the coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans away from direct sunlight, as they will absorb it and reduce their flavor.