The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans

There are more than 100 coffee plant species, but the two that dominate the industry are Arabica and Robusta. The latter is stronger and has more caffeine than the former.

The best coffee beans may be a little more expensive but that shouldn't shock anyone, since they're made with greater care and consideration. Here are some suggestions to help you find high-quality coffee beans.

Origin

When purchasing premium coffee beans the roasting process is just as crucial. The area in which the beans are grown has a direct impact on the flavors, body, acidity and more.

The most popular and well-known type of coffee beans is arabica, and are generally thought to be superior to robusta beans. There are four kinds of arabica coffee beans each one with a distinct taste and growing conditions.

Coffee from Ethiopia is a good example. It is well-known for its floral and fruity flavor, while coffees from Panama are sought-after for their bright acidity. Geisha is another well-known kind of. These small beans are produced only in certain regions and need to be sorted manually prior to roasting. Geisha beans are distinctive and can be tea-like with mild flavors, vanilla or citrus notes.

Other things to consider when buying coffee is whether the beans are of single origin, microlot, fair trade, sustainably sourced or organic. Some of these buzzwords could be just marketing tactics however, others are real indicators of the quality of the coffee. Single origin coffee is all the beans coming from the same region. Microlot coffee refers to the beans were grown in high altitudes with rich soil.

Variety

There are more than 100 species of coffee. However, only two types dominate the market: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans are regarded as higher quality and have a smoother flavor. They are less bitter and more caffeine than robusta.

If you're looking to purchase the highest-quality whole bean be sure to look for the seal of a specialty roaster. This seal indicates that the beans were tested for aroma and taste, cup quality and aroma. This ensures that beans have been roasted to the correct level of darkness and the proper consistency.

A good roaster should also provide a variety of methods of brewing. This means you can select the one that is most suitable to your taste and brewing style. For instance, a filter coffee works well with french presses, whereas espresso is best paired with an automatic drip machine.

Purchasing a bag of whole beans is an excellent way to play with a variety of flavors. The cost varies however, it's generally worth the additional cost. You can also find many varieties in the same bag, letting you try several different flavors at once. Certain brands, such as Stumptown blend beans from several regions to create unique flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for example, has beans from some of the most exquisite regions in the world. It's a medium-bodied flavor with hints of fruit jam and caramel.

Roast

The color of coffee beans will change from green to the rich brown shades that we associate with premium beans. You can see and even feel the transformation in the flavor of the finished product.

You must also pay attention to the roast level. There are a variety of levels of roasting for coffee. The darker roasts have greater intensity and a stronger flavor. You can play around with different roast levels to find the one you like best when you roast your coffee.

It's important to choose beans that are uniform in size and color so that you can ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is important to stir the beans during roasting as it helps them cook evenly and keeps them from burning.

The first step is to heat the beans until they begin to steam. As the steam increases, you'll hear a cracking sound and realize that your beans are beginning to roast. You can now turn off the popper, and spread out the beans to cool on an oven tray.

When they're ready to be chilled, place them in a colander made from metal and shake them until they're warm to the touch (this will help remove any chaff). Then let the beans cool in an airtight container giving them time to off-gas carbon dioxide prior to storage.

Stores

The most important thing you can do when it comes gourmet 500g coffee beans is to store your beans in a proper manner. This will ensure that the beans stay fresh and have a great flavor. The beans' greatest enemies are air, moisture and heat. It is therefore important to keep your dried beans in an airtight container. This will keep them from inhaling odors that are present in other food items in your pantry, and also prevent them from losing the fresh roast flavor. The beans should be stored in a cool, dark location. It is essential to store them in a dark, cool area as light can alter their taste. Also, heat can cause the beans to degrade. Use a container that is opaque for your beans. This can be a glass container, or a vacuum-packed coffee container. These containers will keep your beans fresh for many years.

Keep the beans in the fridge as soon as they are purchased. If you can't immediately use them then it is recommended to freeze them. Freezing beans will increase their shelf life, however it is important to thaw them prior to roasting.

Many people store their unopened beans in attractive jars in order to display them. However, this can damage the quality of the beans. It is recommended to have a separate container for storage and to secretly keep the unused beans in an optimal location.