What’s Next In Coffee Beans To Buy

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you’re a fan of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase these beans. If you’re not lucky enough to live near one, try searching online for companies who roast and then ship to you.

Geography plays a significant role in what coffee tastes like therefore, pay attention to the origins of the beans you’re purchasing.

Arabica vs. Robusta

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

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffee produced around the world. While it’s true that an inferior batch of robusta can taste like burned rubber, a high-quality blend made from specialty beans can be able to surpass Arabica in flavor. The problem is, with few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who are focused on quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them invulnerable to disease and pests. This is the reason why Robusta a popular option for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee beans Manchester (medexmd.com). Even though some companies advertise their product as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with a sort of robusta in order to save money and provide their customers with a subpar cup of coffee. Robusta bulk coffee beans is typically more harsh and more bitter than arabica. It also has an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop in small, bright fruits called coffee berries. When ripe, these berries are removed from the coffee plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being used to make our beloved coffee brew.

Arabica is the most adored bean variety in the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. These beans are also known as being complex and able to offer a variety of flavors. These beans are primarily grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for brewing high-quality coffee.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more care. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. In reality, the top coffee beans originate from Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro-scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is essential to know if the coffee is of single origin or not. “Single origin” can mean a variety of things, but generally it means that the coffee is sourced from a single farm, crop or region within a single country. Third wave coffee is so great because you can taste it in its purest form by knowing where it originated from.

Grind

A high-quality brew starts with the best coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can alter the flavor of your cup. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brew methods.

Grind size plays a big influence on the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during making, and this affects the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse the water won’t be able to get through the grind to extract those soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction, and can lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, water is able to pass through the ground too quickly and suffers an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee but it’s better to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans directly prior to making. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they were pre-ground.

The burr grinder is preferred for a consistent grind but you can also make use of a food processor, a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to create a particular grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in more fine grind, while a larger one produces coarser grind.

Storage

It is best to keep your bean bag tightly shut and only grind the amount you’ll need for your next coffee. You may want to purchase an resealable container that will remove the air and allow CO2 to escape once the beans are crushed.

If properly stored, whole bean coffee can be kept fresh for as long as one month. Once ground, the quality of your coffee can diminish in as little as 30 minutes. It is best to use as much coffee as you need, and store the remainder in a transparent, airtight container.

You can buy a wide assortment of attractive, simple-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from getting in. Some have a one way valve that releases the gases generated by freshly roasted beans, which can prolong the beans’ freshness.

The ideal storage space for your unopened coffee is in a dark, cool area with a stable temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet by the oven or stove as the heat can speed up the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. It is also important to keep the beans away from direct sunlight, as they will absorb sunlight and lose their flavor.