10 Best Facebook Pages Of All Time About Coffee Beans To Buy

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're unable to find a roaster, search online for companies that will roast and ship your order.

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

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties 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 elevations and produces more coffee cherries in a year. It is also cheaper to cultivate than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta may taste like burned rubber, a premium coffee made with special beans can rival Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with a few exceptions, the majority of robusta on the market is sourced from plantations who only care about quantity.

Robusta plants thrive in lower altitudes, and their resistance to disease and pests is because of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. This is what makes Robusta a popular option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. While some companies claim their product to be 100 arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, and provide their customers with a lower quality cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher and more bitter than arabica. It also has an nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors can be unpleasant to some people or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are removed from the coffee plant and split into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favorite beverage.

Arabica is the most adored variety of beans in the world. They are known for their smooth, non-bitter taste. They're also regarded for their complexity and ability to provide a variety of flavors. They are typically 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 because their growth requires more attention. They need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall to establish their flavor profile. In fact, the best coffee beans originate from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms that operate on a micro-scale.

In addition to the region in which it is grown another crucial aspect to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single origin" can mean a number of things, but typically it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a single country. Third wave coffee is good because you can experience it in the purest form by knowing where it originated from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink is affected by the method of preparation. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brewing techniques.

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

You can buy pre-ground coffee however, it is recommended to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans immediately prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground coffee.

A burr grinder is the most popular tool for creating a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand-grinder or a food processor, or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to ensure a particular grind consistency. A smaller gap produces an easier grind, while the larger gap produces coarser grind.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate at an astonishing rate once they are opened, so it's best to keep the bean bag tightly closed and only grind the amount you'll need for the next time you brew. It is possible to purchase 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 remain in its best condition for up to a month when stored correctly. Once ground, your coffee's quality will degrade in just 30 minutes. It is best to use the amount of coffee you'll need, and keep the rest in an opaque, airtight container.

You can choose from a selection of attractive and convenient containers to store coffee. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from getting in. Some come with a one-way valve that releases the gasses that are produced by freshly-roasted beans, which helps prolong the freshness of beans.

The best place to keep the coffee you haven't used is in a dark, cool area with constant temperature. Do not store coffee bean suppliers in the cabinet near your oven or stove, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Keep the beans out of direct sunlight will cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and degrade the flavor.