Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a big fan of whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're unable to find a roaster, search online for companies who will roast and ship your order.

The origin of the coffee beans can affect the flavor.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties, but the two most frequently utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, pests and drought. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more Bulk coffee beans cherries every year. It is also cheaper than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffees produced in the world. While it's true that a low-quality batch of robusta can taste like burnt rubber, a good robusta brewed with specialty beans can be able to surpass Arabica in flavor. The issue is that, with a few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who only care about the quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them resistant to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a common selection in traditional diner drinks and instant coffees. Although some companies claim their product to be 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, but offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher and more bitter than arabica. It can also have the flavor of peanut or nutty. These flavors may be unpleasant for some or too strong for others.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside of small fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. These berries are pulled from the coffee plant when they are ripe and separated into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to create our favorite brew.

The world's most popular variety of beans is Arabica They are well-known for their smooth flavor which isn't bitter. They're also regarded as complex and able to provide a variety flavors. The main growing regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for the production of high-quality coffee are optimal.

These beans tend to have more expensive prices than Robusta as they require more care in order to flourish. They require specific temperatures and enough rainfall to establish their flavor profile. The finest coffee beans in the entire world come originate from Africa. Many of the farms are family-owned and run on a smaller scale.

Aside from the growing region, another important factor to take into account when buying coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single origin" can mean a variety of things, but most often it means that the coffee is sourced from a specific farm, crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is so great because you can taste it in the purest form by knowing where it originated from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee beans in bulk you consume will be affected by the method of preparation. You can discover the perfect mix of bulk coffee beans by testing with different grind sizes and Coffee Beans Near Me brewing methods.

The size of the grind has a significant impact on the extraction of soluble coffee particles from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able penetrate the grounds to get the coffee's soluble solids out. This is called under extraction and can result in weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine, the water will pass through the grounds more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans directly prior to making. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool for creating a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to produce an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap produces an easier grinding, whereas a bigger one produces a coarser grinding.

Stores

It is best to keep your bag tightly closed and only grind what you will need for the next coffee. It is also advisable to look into buying a resealable canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first ground to escape.

If properly stored, whole bean coffee can keep fresh for up to one month. However, once the coffee is ground the quality of your coffee can deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. It is recommended to only use as much coffee beans unroasted as you need, and store the remainder in an opaque airtight container.

You can pick from a variety of attractive and convenient containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Some come with a one-way valve that lets out the gases generated by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the beans' freshness.

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