Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you're a big fan of whole coffee beans Your local roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase these beans. If you're not near a roaster, go online for companies that will roast and ship your order.
The origin of your coffee beans will have a significant impact on the flavor.
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 to drought, disease and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also cheaper than arabica to grow.
Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. Although a poor-quality batch might taste like burnt rubber, a top-quality brew using specialty beans can compete with Arabica's taste. The issue is that, with few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who are concerned about quantity.
Robusta plants thrive at lower altitudes and their resistance to diseases and pests is the result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. It's this fact that makes Robustas a popular choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. However, even though some companies might advertise their product as 100 arabica, they frequently mix it with a variety of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with the least desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh and more bitter than arabica. It can also have an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside small, colorful fruit called coffee berries. When ripe, these fruits are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to create our favorite drink.
Arabica is the most adored variety of beans around the world. They are well-known for their smooth, non-bitter taste. These beans are also known for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. coffee beans bulk are primarily grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of top-quality coffee.
These beans are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more care. They require specific temperatures and enough rainfall to establish their flavor profile. In reality, the top coffee beans around come from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro-scale.
Aside from the growing region Another important aspect to consider when buying coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single origin" can mean a variety of things, but most often it means that the coffee comes from a specific farm, crop or region within one country. Third wave coffee is great because you can taste it in its most pure form by knowing where it came from.
Grind
A great-quality brew begins with the finest coffee beans, however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the flavor of your coffee. The process of experimenting with different grind sizes and brew methods will help you find the best blend of coffee that suits your individual taste.
The size of the grind plays a significant role in the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during making, and this affects the taste of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water is unable to penetrate the ground and extract the solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction, and can cause a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, water is able to pass through the ground too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, which results in bitterness.
You can purchase coffee that has been ground but it is better to buy whole beans and grind the coffee yourself prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and also last longer than if were to purchase the pre-ground variety.
The burr grinder is favored for a consistent grind however, you can also make use of a food processor, hand grinder or mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs which cut the beans into a specific grind consistency by adjusting the distance between burrs. A smaller gap results in more fine grinding, whereas the larger gap results in the coarser grinding.
Storage
Coffee beans deteriorate in a rapid manner once they've been opened, so it is a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly sealed and grind only enough to make the next brew. You may want to purchase a resealable canister that will eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape once the beans are ground.
Whole bean coffee can stay at its peak freshness for up to a month when stored in a safe manner. Once ground, the quality of your coffee may decrease in just 30 minutes. It's best to only use the amount of coffee you need, and then store the remainder in a transparent airtight container.
You can choose from a range of attractive and easy-to-use containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed to keep moisture from getting inside. Some have a one way valve that releases the gases created by freshly roasted beans, which helps prolong the beans' freshness.
The ideal storage space for your unopened coffee is in a cool, dark space that is at a constant temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or the oven as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that destroy the coffee. Keep the beans away as direct sunlight can cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and degrade the flavor.