Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans the best place to buy them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're not fortunate enough to live near one, search online for companies that roast and ship to 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 better able to withstand drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also cheaper than arabica to cultivate.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of the world's coffee production. Although a poor-quality batch may taste like burned rubber, a high-quality coffee made from specialty beans can rival Arabica's flavor. The problem is, with few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes only from plantations who are concerned about quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to disease and pests is the result of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is the reason why Robusta a popular option for traditional cafes and instant Coffee beans to buy. However, even though certain companies advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with a variety of robusta to save money and provide their customers with an unsatisfactory cup of coffee. Robusta is known to have a stronger sharp, bitter and more granular taste than arabica. It also has an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside of small fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant once they have reached ripeness and then divided into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our most-loved beverage.

The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smooth taste that doesn't have any bitterness. These beans are also regarded for their complexity and ability to provide a variety flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for producing high quality coffee are ideal.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more attention. They need specific temperatures and sufficient rain to build their flavor profile. The finest coffee beans in the world come made from Africa. Many of the farms are run by family members and operate on a smaller scale.

Apart from the region of production, another important factor to consider when buying coffee is whether or not it's of single origin. "Single origin" can refer to a variety of things, but generally it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, crop or region within one country. Third wave coffee beans manchester is so good because you can experience it in its purest form, knowing exactly where it originated from.

Grind

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

The size of the grind has a major impact on the extraction of the soluble coffee solids from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able get through the grind to extract the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction and can result in a weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water passes through the grounds too quickly and suffers an over extraction, resulting in bitterness.

You can purchase pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and also last longer than if were to bulk buy coffee beans the pre-ground variety.

A burr grinder is the most popular tool for creating 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, which break beans into a particular grind consistency by adjusting the distance between burrs. A smaller gap creates a finer grind while an increased gap creates coarser grind.

Storage

It is recommended to keep your bean bag tightly closed and only grind as much as you'll need for your next brew. You may also want to look into buying a resealable canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first ground to be released.

If properly stored When stored properly, whole bean coffee will last for up to one month. However, once the coffee is ground, the quality of your coffee will diminish in as little as 30 minutes. It is best to only drink the amount of coffee you require, and then store the remainder in a transparent airtight container.

You can purchase a wide range of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from entering. Others have a valve that releases gasses released by freshly roasted coffee which will extend the freshness of the beans.

The ideal location to store your leftover coffee is in a dark, cool space that is at a constant temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your oven or stove since heat can accelerate chemical reactions that destroy the coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight will cause them to absorb it and lose flavor.