Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole beans the best place to buy them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're not near the roaster, you can search online for companies that will roast and deliver your order.

The origin of your coffee beans will have a significant impact on the taste.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are over 100 different coffee species however, the two most commonly utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica.

Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all barista coffee beans that is produced in the world. While a low-quality batch can taste like burnt rubber, a top-quality brew using specialty beans can rival Arabica's flavor. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of the robusta available on the market is sourced from plantations who only care about quantity.

The high level of caffeine in beans makes them immune to disease and pests. This is the reason they are a popular option in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. But, even though certain companies advertise their product as 100 arabica, they frequently mix it with other varieties of robusta in order to save money and provide their customers with the least desirable cup of coffee. Robusta has a more harsh bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have a nutty or peanut flavor. These flavors can be unpleasant for some or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside tiny vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee beans wholesale suppliers berries. When ripe, these fruit are removed from the coffee plant and split into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our favorite coffee brew.

Arabica is the most adored variety of beans in the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. These beans are also known for their richness and offer diverse flavors. The primary regions of cultivation for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for producing high quality coffee are ideal.

These beans typically have a higher price tag than Robusta as they require more care to ensure their growth. For the flavor profile of these beans to develop, they need specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. In fact, the finest coffee beans originate from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms and operated in a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to be aware of whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can refer to a variety of things, but generally it means that the coffee comes from a single farm, crop or region within a single country. Third wave coffee is good because it allows you to experience it in the purest form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

A high-quality cup starts with the best coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving will affect the final flavor of your beverage. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brewing techniques.

The grind size is a significant factor in the extraction of soluble coffee solids from the ground. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine, water cannot penetrate the ground and extract solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction and could result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water is able to pass through the ground too quickly and experiences an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee but it is better to bulk buy coffee beans whole beans and grind them yourself prior to making. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they were ground pre-priced.

The burr grinder is preferred to ensure a consistent grinding however, you can make use of a food processor, hand grinder, or mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that break the beans to a specific grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in the finest grind, whereas a larger one produces a coarser grind.

Storage

Coffee beans degrade in a rapid manner once they've been exposed, so it's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly shut and only grind enough to make the next brew. You may want to buy an open-top canister that is resealable to eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape after the beans are ground.

Whole bean coffee can stay in its best condition for up to a month when stored correctly. However, once the coffee is ground, the quality of your coffee could deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. It is best to only drink as much coffee as you need, and store the remainder in an opaque airtight container.

You can pick from a range of attractive and convenient containers to store coffee. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from getting in. Some even have a single valve that lets out the gases that are produced by freshly-roasted decaf beans coffee (you can try Cameradb), which can prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to keep your coffee that you don't use is in an area that is cool and dark with a constant temperature. Avoid storing it in a cabinet next to your oven or stove as the heat could accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans away from direct sunlight, since they will absorb the light and lose their flavor.