Notes

A Rewind What People Said About Coffee Beans To Buy 20 Years Ago
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 shop or roaster. If you're not near an espresso machine, look online for companies that roast and then ship your order.

The origin of the coffee beans can have a big impact on the flavor.

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 more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also cheaper than arabica for cultivation.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffee produced around the world. While it's true that an inferior robusta batch can taste like burnt rubber, a quality blend made from special beans can surpass Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta sold on the market is sourced from plantations that only care about the quantity.

The high content of caffeine in the beans makes them invulnerable to pests and disease. This is what makes Robustas a favorite option for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. Even though some companies advertise their coffee as being 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with a sort of robusta in order to save money, but give their customers an inferior cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have the flavor of peanut or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.


Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside tiny, vibrant fruits called coffee berries. When they are mature, the fruit are removed from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favorite beverage.

The most popular variety of beans is Arabica, and they're known for their smoky flavor which isn't bitter. These beans are also known for their richness and can provide an array 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 ideal.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta due to their growth requires more attention. They need specific temperatures and enough rainfall to establish their flavor profile. The best coffee beans in the entire world are made from Africa. A lot of farms are owned by families and run on a small scale.

Aside from the growing region, another important factor to take into account when buying coffee is whether or not it's single origin. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but typically it means that the coffee is sourced from one farm, a crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is so good because you can experience it in its most pure form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume is affected by the method of preparation. The process of experimenting with different grind sizes and brew methods will allow you to find the most optimal blend of coffee that matches your personal preferences.

The size of the grind can have a significant impact on the extraction of the soluble coffee solids from the ground. This impacts the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water isn't able penetrate the grounds to get the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction and may result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine, water goes through the coffee too quickly and suffers an over extraction that results in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee, but it's best to buy whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before brewing. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they were ground pre-priced.

The burr grinder is favored to create a consistent grinding, but you can utilize a food processor, hand grinder or mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs, which break the beans to a specific grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap will result in more fine grinding, whereas a bigger one produces more coarse grinding.

Storage

Coffee beans deteriorate at an astonishing rate once they've been exposed, so it's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly closed and only grind the amount you'll need for the next time you brew. You might also look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will eliminate air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to be released.

Whole bean coffee can stay in its best condition for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. But once it's ground, the quality of your coffee will begin to decline in less than 30 minutes. This is why it's best to only grind the amount you need and then store the rest in a sealed, airtight container.

You can pick from a wide selection of attractive and practical containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed to keep moisture from entering. Some have a one-way valve that will release the gasses produced by freshly roasted coffee which will prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to store your coffee that you don't use is in a dark, cool place with an even temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet that is near your stove or oven, as the heat could accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Keep bulk buy coffee beans out of direct sunlight can cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and degrade the flavor.

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