Coffee Beans To Buy: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do
Where to Buy Coffee Beans
If you are a fan of whole coffee beans, your local independent roaster or coffee shop is the best place to buy them. If you're not fortunate enough to live close to one, look for online companies that roast and ship to you.
The origin of your coffee beans will have a big impact on the flavor.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are over 100 different coffee species However, the two most commonly used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries per year. It is also cheaper than arabica to cultivate.
Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffees produced in the world. While it's true that a low-quality batch of robusta might taste like burned rubber, a good robusta brewed with special beans can surpass Arabica in flavor. The issue is that there are a few exceptions, but the majority of robusta sold on the market comes only from plantations that are only focused on quantity.
The high caffeine content of the beans makes them resistant to disease and pests. It's this fact that makes Robusta a popular choice for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. While some companies claim their product as being 100 arabica, they often mix it with some type of robusta to save money and give their customers an inferior cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside small, vibrant fruit called coffee berries. When they are mature, the berries are taken from the coffee plant and separated into two beans. The beans are roasted, and then used to make our most-loved beverage.
Arabica is the most popular variety of bean in the world. They are famous for their soft, non-bitter flavor. They are also regarded as complex and able to provide a variety flavors. The primary regions of cultivation for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for making high-quality coffee are perfect.
These beans typically have a higher price tag than Robusta as they require more care in order to flourish. They require certain temperatures and sufficient rain to build their flavor profile. In reality, the best coffee beans around originate from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms, and operate in a small scale.
Aside from the growing region another crucial aspect to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's single origin. "Single Origin" could mean a number of things, but it most commonly refers to the fact that the coffee comes from one particular farm, crop, or region in the same country. This is a big aspect of what makes third wave coffee so amazing - knowing exactly the source of your coffee lets you enjoy it in its purest form.
Grind
A high-quality brew starts with excellent coffee beans however the process of grinding, brewing and serving can alter the taste of your drink. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods.
The size of the grind plays an important impact on how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during the brewing process, which affects the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too fine it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds and extract the soluble coffee solids. This is known as under extraction and can lead to weak coffee. If the grind is fine the water will move through the grounds more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.
It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee, but it's best to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans immediately before making. high quality coffee beans will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they were ground pre-priced.
A burr grinder is the best tool to create an even grind, however you can also use a hand grinder or a food processor, or a mortar and pestle. The burr grinder is equipped with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to create the perfect grind consistency. A smaller gap leads to an easier grinding, whereas larger ones result in more coarse grinding.
Stores
Coffee beans degrade at an astonishing rate once they are opened, so it's a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly shut and only grind as much as you need for your next brew. You might want to invest in the resealable containers that eliminate the air and allow CO2 to escape when the beans are crushed.
Whole bean coffee will stay at its freshest state for up to a month if stored properly. Once ground, the quality of your coffee can diminish in as little as 30 minutes. This is the reason it's important to only grind the amount you need and then store the remainder of your beans in a sealed, airtight container.
You can buy a wide range of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed, which prevents moisture from getting inside. Some even have a one-way valve that releases the gasses produced by freshly roasted beans, which prolongs the beans' freshness.
The best place to store your unused coffee is a dark, cool place with a constant temperature. Avoid storing it in the cabinet next to your oven or stove as the heat can speed up the chemical reactions that destroy coffee. Keep the beans away as direct sunlight will cause them to absorb it and degrade the flavor.