11 Strategies To Completely Block Your Coffee Beans To Buy

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 near a roaster, go online for companies that roast and ship your order.

Geography plays a huge influence on what coffee tastes like and so be aware of the origins of the beans you're buying.

Arabica vs.  Suggested Internet page

There are over 100 different coffee varieties, but the two most frequently used are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to diseases, drought and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and produces more coffee cherries in a year. It is also cheaper to grow than arabica.

Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffees produced in the world. Although a poor-quality batch may taste like burnt rubber, a high-quality blend made with specialty beans can match the taste of Arabica. The problem is, with few exceptions, most of the robusta sold on the market is from plantations who are concerned about quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower elevations, and their resistance to diseases and pests is the result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. This is the reason why Robusta a popular choice for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. However, while some companies claim their product as 100 arabica-based, they usually mix it with other varieties of robusta to cut costs and provide their customers with a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher sharp, bitter and more granular taste than arabica. It can also have a nutty, peanut or dark chocolate taste. These flavors may be unpleasant for some or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which are cultivated inside small fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. These berries are plucked from the coffee plant at the time they are ripe and then split into two beans. The beans are then roasted before being used to make our beloved coffee brew.

The most well-known variety of beans are Arabica and are renowned for their smooth flavor which isn't bitter. They're also regarded for their complexity and ability to offer a variety flavors. They are typically grown in Africa, Central America, and South America where the conditions are ideal for brewing high-quality coffee.

These beans usually have more expensive prices than Robusta as they require more attention in order to flourish. They require specific temperatures and enough rainfall to develop their flavor profile. In fact, the finest beans in the world come from Africa and the continent of Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms and operated in a small scale.

When purchasing coffee, it's important to be aware of whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but generally it means that the coffee comes from one farm, crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is so good because it allows you to experience it in its most pure form by knowing where it originated from.

Grind

A good-quality brew begins with great coffee beans, however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving will affect the final flavor of your beverage. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by playing around with different grind sizes and brewing techniques.

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

You can purchase coffee that has been ground but it is recommended to buy whole beans and then grind them yourself immediately before making. This will keep your beans fresher and longer than if they were already ground.

The burr grinder is favored for creating a consistent grinding but you can also use a food processor, a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs that can be adjusted to provide the perfect grind consistency. A smaller gap will result in more fine grinding, whereas a bigger one produces an even coarser grinding.

Storage

It is recommended to keep your bean bag tightly closed and only grind the amount you'll require for the next brew. You may also want to think about purchasing a resealable container, which will block out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that occurs when the beans are first crushed to escape.

If stored properly, whole bean coffee can remain fresh for up to one month. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will diminish in less than 30 minutes. It is best to use as much coffee as you need, and store the rest in an opaque airtight container.

You can pick from a range of attractive and practical containers to store coffee. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed to prevent moisture from getting in. Some even have a one-way valve that releases the gases produced by freshly roasted beans, which prolongs the beans' freshness.

The best storage space for your unopened coffee is in a cool, dark area with a stable temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your oven or stove as heat can accelerate chemical reactions that destroy the coffee. Be sure to keep the beans out of direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the coffee and lose flavor.