Coffee Beans To Buy: What No One Is Talking About
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 don't live near the roaster, you can search online for companies that will roast and ship your order.
Geography plays a huge factor in the taste of coffee like, so pay attention to the source of the beans you're purchasing.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are more than 100 different coffee varieties. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is better able to withstand drought, pests, and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica.
Robusta accounts for 40 percent of all coffees produced around the world. Although a poor-quality batch may taste like burnt rubber, a top-quality coffee made from specialty beans can match the taste of Arabica. The problem is there are some exceptions, however, the majority of robusta sold on the market is from plantations that are focused on quantity.
Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations and their resistance to disease and pests is a result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. It's this fact that makes Robustas a popular option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. However, although some companies might advertise their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with a variety of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with the least desirable 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 peanut or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or too strong.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. When they reach their peak, the berries are taken from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our beloved coffee brew.
Arabica is the most sought-after variety of beans in the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. They're also regarded as being complex and able to provide a variety of flavors. The most popular regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are perfect.
These beans typically have a higher price tag than Robusta because they require more attention for growth. They require specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall to establish their flavor profile. The best coffee beans in the entire world are from Africa. Many of the farms are owned by families and run on a smaller scale.
Aside from the region that is growing, another important factor to take into consideration when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's of single origin. "Single Origin" can mean a variety of things however, it typically means that the coffee comes from a single farm, crop, or region in the same country. This is a significant component of what makes the third wave coffee so great - knowing exactly the source of your coffee lets you experience it in its purest form.
Grind
The quality of the coffee you drink can be affected by the way it is prepared. You can find the perfect combination of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brew techniques.
The grind size is a significant factor in the extraction of soluble coffee solids from the grounds. This affects the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse the water won't be able to get through the grind to extract the soluble coffee solids out. This is called under extraction, and could result in weak coffee. If the grind is too fine, water is able to pass through the ground too quickly, and it experiences an over extraction, which results in bitterness.
It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to purchase whole beans and grind your own beans right away before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if were to purchase the pre-ground variety.
A burr grinder is the most popular tool for creating an even grind, but you can also use a hand grinder, a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs which can be adjusted to ensure an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap leads to a finer grinding, while the larger gap results in more coarse grinding.
Storage
Coffee beans degrade in a rapid manner once they've been opened, so it is a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly sealed and grind only as much as you need to make the next brew. You might want to invest in an resealable container that will remove the air and allow CO2 to escape after the beans are crushed.
If stored properly When stored properly, gourmet coffee beans will last for up to one month. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will decrease in only 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind as much as you need and then store the rest in a sealed, airtight container.
You can find a vast assortment of attractive, simple-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from getting inside. Others have a valve that releases the gasses produced by freshly roasted coffee, which will preserve the freshness of the beans.
The ideal location to store your leftover coffee is in a cool, dark area that has a steady temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or oven since the heat can speed up chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the coffee and lose its flavor.