Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're in love with whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you're not fortunate enough to live close to one, you can search for online companies who roast and then ship to you.

The origin of your coffee beans will influence the taste.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 coffee species however, the two most frequently utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries in a year. It is also less expensive than arabica to grow.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's wholesale coffee beans uk production. While it's true that a poor quality batch of robusta might taste like burnt rubber, a premium brew made with specific beans can easily surpass Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta on the market is from plantations that care only about quantity.

The high caffeine content of the beans makes them invulnerable to pests and disease. This is the reason why them a popular option for traditional diner coffee and instant coffee. Even though some companies proclaim their product as 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, and provide their customers with a lower quality cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be harsher, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have the peanut, nutty or dark chocolate flavor. Some people find these flavors unpleasant, or even overwhelming.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside of small, colorful fruits called coffee berries. When they are mature, the berries are taken from the coffee plant, and then separated into two decaf beans coffee. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favorite beverage.

Arabica is the most popular variety of bean in the world. They are renowned for their soft, non-bitter flavor. These beans are also known for their richness and offer many different flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for producing high quality coffee are optimal.

These beans are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more care. They need specific temperatures and sufficient rain to build their flavor profile. The finest coffee beans in the world are made from Africa. Many of the farms are family-owned and run on a smaller scale.

When purchasing coffee, it is important to be aware of whether the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" can mean a number of things, but most commonly it means that the coffee comes from a specific farm, crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is good because you can experience it in the purest form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you consume can be affected by the way it is prepared. You can discover the perfect blend of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

Grind size plays a big role in how the soluble coffee components are extracted from the grounds during making, and this affects the flavor of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too coarse the water won't be able to get through the grind to extract the soluble coffee beans wholesale suppliers solids out. This is known as under extraction, and can 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 purchase coffee that has been ground however, it is recommended to purchase a whole bean to cup coffee beans and grind your own beans immediately prior to 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 utilize a food processor, hand grinder or mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders feature two cutting discs that break beans into a particular grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap produces more fine grind, while the one with a larger gap results in more coarse grind.

Stores

Coffee beans can degrade at an astonishing rate once they are opened, so it's best to keep the bean bag tightly sealed and only grind the amount you'll need for your next brew. It is also advisable to consider purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first crushed to escape.

Whole bean coffee will stay at its peak freshness for up to a month when stored properly. Once the coffee is ground, its quality will diminish in less than 30 minutes. It is best to only drink as much coffee as you need, and then store the remainder in a transparent, airtight container.

You can purchase a wide variety of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed, which will eliminate moisture from entering. Others have a one-way valve that lets out the gasses that are produced by freshly roasted coffee which will prolong the beans' freshness.

The best place to keep your coffee that is not used is a cool, dark area with constant temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your oven or stove since heat can accelerate chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight can cause them to absorb it and lose flavor.