Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're not lucky enough to be in the vicinity of one, search online for companies that roast and ship to order.

Geography plays a huge factor in the taste of coffee like therefore, pay attention to the source of the beans you're purchasing.

Arabica vs. Robusta

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

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While a low-quality batch can taste like burnt rubber, a superior brew using specialty beans can rival Arabica's flavor. The issue is that, with only a few exceptions the majority of robusta available on the market comes from plantations that are only concerned about quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to diseases and pests is because of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is what makes Robustas a favorite choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. However, although some companies may advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with a variety of robusta to save money and give their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee may be more bitter, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have a nutty or peanut flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant for some or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, colorful fruit called coffee berries. These berries are removed from the coffee plant at the time they are ripe and separated into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our favourite coffee brew.

The most popular variety of beans is Arabica, and they're known for their smooth taste that doesn't have any bitterness. These beans are also renowned for their richness and offer an array of flavors. The main growing regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are perfect.

These beans typically have an expensive price than Robusta as they require more care for growth. They require specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall to establish their flavor profile. In fact, the best coffee beans around come from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro-scale.

Aside from the growing region an additional factor to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single origin" can mean a variety of things, but most commonly it means that the coffee is sourced from a specific farm, crop or region within one country. This is an important part of what makes third wave coffee so great knowing exactly where your coffee came from allows you to experience it in its most pure form.

Grind

A high-quality cup starts with the best coffee beans, however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving can affect the final taste of your coffee. You can find the perfect mix of organic coffee beans by testing with different grind sizes and brew techniques.

The size of the grind has a major impact on the extraction of the soluble coffee solids from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine it is unable to penetrate the ground to pull the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction. It can cause a weak cup of coffee. If the grind isn't fine, the Premium Organic Swiss Water Decaf Coffee - Mycotoxin Free will pass through the grounds more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans directly before brewing. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the best tool for creating a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs that cut the beans to a specific grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in a finer grinding, while larger ones result in a coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate rapidly after they've been opened. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the bag tightly shut and only grind as much as you need for the next time you brew. It is also advisable to look into buying a resealable canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to be released.

Whole bean coffee can remain in its best condition for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. However, once the coffee is ground, the quality of your coffee could 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 a transparent airtight container.

You can choose from a variety of attractive and easy-to-use containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some even have a one-way valve that releases the gases produced by freshly roasted beans, which extends the freshness of beans.

The ideal storage space for your unopened coffee is in a cool, dark area with a stable temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your stove or oven since the heat can speed up chemical reactions that can degrade the coffee. Keep the beans away as direct sunlight will cause them to absorb the coffee and degrade the flavor.

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