A Productive Rant About Coffee Beans To Buy
Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you're a lover of whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're not close to a roaster, go online for companies that will roast and ship your order.
Geography plays a major factor in the taste of coffee like, so pay attention to the origins of the beans you're purchasing.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are more than 100 coffee varieties The two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, disease and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also less expensive than arabica for cultivation.
Robusta is responsible for 40% of all coffee produced in the world. Although a poor-quality batch might taste like burned rubber, a high-quality coffee brewed with specialty beans could compete with Arabica's taste. The problem is, with few exceptions, most robusta that is sold on the market is from plantations that are only concerned about quantity.
The high caffeine content of beans makes them immune to diseases and pests. This is the reason they are a favorite choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. Even though some companies advertise their product as being 100 arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, but offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It also has a nutty or peanut flavor. These flavors may be unpleasant for some or too strong for others.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When ripe, these fruits are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to create our favorite coffee brew.
www.coffeee.uk of beans is Arabica and are known for their smooth flavor that isn't bitter. These beans are also regarded as complex and able to provide a variety flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for the production of high-quality coffee.
These beans tend to have a higher price tag than Robusta, due to the fact that they require more care to ensure their growth. For the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. The top coffee beans in the entire world come originated from Africa. A lot of farms are family-owned and operated on a smaller scale.
Aside from the region that is growing an additional factor to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or if it's of a single origin. "Single origin" can refer to a variety of things, but most commonly it means that the coffee comes from one farm, crop or region within a specific country. This is an important aspect of what makes third wave coffee so wonderful knowing where your coffee came from allows you to enjoy it in its purest form.
Grind
A good-quality brew begins with the finest coffee beans, however the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your drink. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing techniques.
The size of the grind plays a significant influence on the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, and it affects the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too coarse the water won't be able to get through the grind to extract the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction and can cause a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, the water passes through the grounds too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, which results in bitterness.
It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can prior to making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they had been pre-ground.
A burr grinder is the best tool to create a consistent grind. However, you can also use a hand-grinder or a food processor as well as a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs, which break the beans into a specific grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in a finer grinding, while larger ones result in a coarser grinding.
Stores
Coffee beans can degrade in a rapid manner once they've been opened. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you need to make your next cup. You may also want to consider purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to be released.
Whole bean coffee will remain in its best condition for up to a month if stored properly. However, once the coffee is ground, the quality of your coffee could begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind as much as you'll need, and then keep the rest of the beans in a sealed, airtight container.
You can purchase a wide selection of attractive and easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum sealed to stop moisture from getting inside. Some even have a one-way valve that releases the gasses that are produced by freshly-roasted beans, which extends the freshness of beans.
The best place to keep your unused coffee is a cool, dark area with constant temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or the oven as heat can accelerate chemical reactions that degrade the coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans out of direct sunlight since they will absorb sunlight and diminish their flavor.