Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a big fan of whole beans the best place to buy them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not fortunate enough to be near one, you can search for online companies that roast and ship to customers who order.

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

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee species. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, pests and diseases. It can be planted at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica.

Robusta accounts for 40% of all coffee produced around the world. While a low-quality batch can taste like burned rubber, a superior coffee made from specialty beans can surpass the flavor of Arabica. The issue is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta sold on the market comes from plantations that care only about the quantity.

The high amount of caffeine in beans makes them immune to disease and pests. This is why they are a favorite selection in traditional diner drinks and instant coffees. However, although 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 less than ideal cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have an nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. These flavors can be unpleasant to some people or too strong.

Origin

coffee bean shop beans are actually seeds that grow inside of small, colorful fruits called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are taken from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our most-loved coffee brew.

The world's most popular variety of beans are Arabica, and they're known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. They are also renowned for their richness and offer an array of flavors. They are mostly grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for producing high-quality coffee.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta because their growth requires more attention. They need specific temperatures and enough rainfall to develop their flavor profile. The top coffee beans in the world come originate from Africa. Many of the farms are family-owned and run on a small scale.

When buying coffee, it is crucial to know if the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can refer to a variety of things, but typically it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a specific country. This is an important element of what makes third wave coffee so wonderful knowing exactly the origin of your Barista Coffee Beans lets you experience it in its purest form.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by way it is prepared. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

Grind size plays a big role in the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during brewing, and this impacts the taste of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too coarse, water cannot penetrate the grounds and extract the solids in the coffee that are soluble. This is known as under extraction, and can result in weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will move through the grounds more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee however it is preferential to buy whole beans and then grind them yourself prior to brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and will also last longer than if you were to purchase the pre-ground variety.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool to create a consistent grind, but 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 that cut the beans into a specific grind consistency by altering the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in more fine grinding, whereas larger ones result in an even coarser grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate rapidly after they've been opened. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the bag tightly sealed and only grind the amount you'll need for the next time you brew. It is also advisable to look into purchasing a resealable coffee container, which will block out air and allow the CO2 emissions that occur when the beans are first ground to be released.

When stored properly If stored properly, whole bean coffee can keep fresh for up to one month. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will diminish in less than 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind the amount you need and then store the remaining beans in an airtight, opaque container.

You can pick from a wide selection of attractive and convenient containers to store cafe coffee beans. Some are vacuum-sealed, which prevents moisture from getting inside. Others have a one-way valve that releases gasses that are produced by freshly roasted coffee which will prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to store your unused coffee is in a dark roast coffee beans, cool location that has a steady temperature. Avoid storing it in a cabinet near your oven or stove, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight will cause the coffee to absorb and lose flavor.