11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your Coffee Beans To Buy

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase the beans. If you're unable to be near one, look for online companies that roast and deliver to customers who order.

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

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee varieties. The two most commonly used are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also less expensive than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. While a poor quality batch may taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality blend made with specialty beans can surpass the flavor of Arabica. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta on the market is from plantations who only care about quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them impervious to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a common option in traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. However, while some companies might advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they typically mix it with a variety of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with an unsatisfactory cup of coffee. Robusta is known to have a stronger bitter, sour and more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have the flavor of peanuts or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside of small vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. When they are ripe, the berries are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to create our favorite coffee brew.

The world's most popular variety of beans are Arabica, and they're known for their smooth taste that doesn't taste bitter. strong coffee beans are also known for their complexity and offer many different flavors. They are typically 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 as their growth requires more attention. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall. In reality, the top beans in the world come from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms that operate in a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to be aware of whether the coffee is single origin or not. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things however, it typically refers to the fact that the coffee comes from only one farm, or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is good because you can experience it in the most pure form by knowing where it originated from.

Grind

A good-quality brew begins with great coffee beans, however the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your beverage. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brew methods.

The size of the grind plays a major role in how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during making, and this affects the taste of your coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able penetrate the ground to pull the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction, and can lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, water goes through the coffee too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

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

The burr grinder is the most popular for a consistent grind however, you can use a food processor, hand-grinders or a mortar and pestle. The burr grinder is equipped with two cutting discs which can be adjusted to provide an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in an easier grind, while an increased gap creates coarser grind.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate at an astonishing rate once they've been exposed, so it's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly closed and only grind as much as you need for your next brew. You may also think about purchasing a resealable canister that will shut out air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first ground to escape.

If stored properly, whole bean coffee can last for up to one month. However, once the coffee is ground the quality of your coffee can decrease in just 30 minutes. It is recommended to only use as much coffee as you require, and then store the remainder in a transparent, airtight container.

There is a huge variety of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Others have a valve that releases the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee which can prolong the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store your coffee that you don't use is in a cool, dark area with the same temperature. Avoid placing your coffee near the oven or stove as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that can degrade the coffee. You should also keep the beans out of direct sunlight as they absorb sunlight and reduce their flavor.