Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you are a fan of whole
coffee beans bulk buy beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy these beans. If you're unable to live near one, try searching online for companies which
light roast coffee beans and ship to you.
The origin of your coffee beans will affect the flavor.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are more than 100 coffee species however, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries in a year. It is also less expensive to cultivate than arabica.
Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta can taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality blend made from specific beans can easily compete with Arabica in taste. The problem is with a few exceptions the majority of the robusta available on the market comes only from plantations that are concerned about quantity.
The high content of caffeine in the beans makes them invulnerable to diseases and pests. It's this fact that makes Robustas a favorite option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. However, even though some companies may advertise their product as 100% arabica, they often mix it with other varieties of robusta to save money and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee may be more bitter and more bitter than arabica. It may also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow in small, bright fruits called coffee berries. When they are ripe, the berries are taken from the coffee plant and divided into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our favourite beverage.
Arabica is the most well-known bean variety in the world. They are known for their soft, non-bitter flavor. They are also renowned for their complexity and can provide diverse flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for brewing high-quality coffee.
These beans are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more care. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall. The finest coffee beans in the entire world are originate from Africa. A lot of farms are family-owned and operated on a small scale.
When purchasing coffee, it is crucial to be aware of whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single Origin" can mean many things but generally means that the coffee comes from one particular farm, crop, or region in the country. Third wave coffee is excellent because you get to experience it in the purest form, knowing exactly where it came from.
Grind
A high-quality cup starts with the best coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can affect the final taste of your beverage. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you discover the best blend of coffee that suits your individual taste.
The grind size has a significant impact on the extraction of the soluble
gourmet coffee beans solids from the ground. This affects the taste of the coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able get through the grind to extract the soluble coffee solids out. This is referred to as under extraction, and can result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water is able to pass through the ground too quickly and experiences an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.
You can buy pre-ground coffee but it is better to purchase whole beans and then grind them yourself immediately before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground
light roast coffee beans.
The burr grinder is favored for creating a consistent grinding, but you can use a food processor, a hand grinder or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs which cut the beans into a certain grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap creates the finest grind, whereas the larger gap produces coarser grind.
Stores
Coffee beans can degrade in a rapid manner once they've been opened, so it's best to keep the bean bag tightly closed and only grind the amount you'll need to make your next cup. You might also look into buying a resealable canister, which will remove air and allow CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first crushed to be released.
Whole bean coffee will remain at its freshest state for up to a month when stored correctly. Once ground the quality of your
coffee bean will deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. This is the reason it's important to only grind as much as you require and then store the rest in a sealed, airtight container.
You can choose from a wide selection of attractive and simple-to-use containers for storing coffee. Some are vacuum sealed to stop moisture from getting inside. Some have a one-way valve that releases the gases produced by freshly roasted
coffee Beans to buy, which will prolong the freshness of the beans.
The best place to keep your unused coffee is an area that is cool and dark with constant temperature. Do not store it in the cabinet by the stove or oven, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Keep the beans away as direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the coffee and lose its flavor.