10 Things We Are Hating About Coffee Beans To Buy

Where to Buy Coffee Beans If you're a lover of whole beans, the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not close to a roaster, go on the internet for companies that can roast and ship your order. The origin of the coffee beans can influence the flavor. Arabica vs. Robusta There are over 100 different coffee species The two most commonly utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant against drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also less expensive to cultivate than arabica. Robusta is responsible for 40 percent of all coffees produced around the world. While it's true that an inferior batch of robusta can taste like burned rubber, a premium robusta brewed with specific beans can easily compete with Arabica in flavor. The problem is with a few exceptions most robusta that is sold on the market is from plantations that are only focused on quantity. Robusta plants thrive in lower altitudes, and their resistance to diseases and pests is the result of the high amount of caffeine in the beans. It's this fact that makes Robustas a favorite choice for traditional diner and instant coffee. Even though some companies advertise their coffee as being 100 arabica-based, they often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, but give their customers an inferior cup of coffee. Robusta coffee is typically more harsh and more bitter than arabica. It also has an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming. Origin Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow in small, bright fruits called coffee berries. These berries are plucked from the coffee plant when they are ripe and separated into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to make our favorite brew. The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica and are known for their smooth taste that isn't bitter. These beans are also regarded as complex and able to offer a variety 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. They are more expensive than Robusta as their growth requires more attention. They require specific temperatures and a sufficient amount of rainfall to establish their flavor profile. The best coffee beans in the world come originated from Africa. quality coffee beans of the farms are owned by families and run on a small scale. In addition to the region in which it is grown an additional factor to consider when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. “Single Origin” could mean a number of things but generally means that the coffee originates from one particular farm, crop, or region in a country. Third wave coffee is good because it allows you to experience it in its purest form, knowing exactly where it came from. Grind A great-quality brew begins with great coffee beans, but the process of grinding, brewing, and serving can affect the final taste of your beverage. Making a variety of grind sizes and brewing techniques will allow you to discover the most optimal blend of coffee that suits your individual taste. Grind size plays a big impact on how the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the ground during the brewing process, which affects the flavor of your coffee. If the grind is too coarse and water is unable to penetrate the grounds to extract the soluble coffee solids. This is known as under extraction, and can result in a weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine the water will move through the ground much more quickly and result in an over extraction. This can cause bitterness. You can purchase coffee that has been ground however it is preferential to buy whole beans and grind them yourself before brewing. This will keep your beans fresher for longer than if they had been pre-ground. The burr grinding machine is ideal to create a consistent grinding but you can also use a food processor, a hand grinder or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders feature two cutting discs which cut the beans into a certain grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap leads to more fine grinding, whereas a bigger one produces an even coarser grinding. Stores It is recommended to keep your coffee bag tightly sealed and only grind as much as you'll require for the next coffee. It is possible to purchase an open-top canister that is resealable to eliminate air and allow CO2 to escape when the beans are ground. If stored properly Whole bean coffee can be kept fresh for as long as one month. After the coffee has been ground, its quality will decrease in only 30 minutes. It is best to only drink as much coffee as you need, and store the rest in an opaque airtight container. You can pick from a variety of attractive and simple-to-use containers to store coffee. Some are vacuum-sealed, which will eliminate moisture from getting in. Some even have a one-way valve that lets out the gasses generated by freshly roasted beans, which can prolong the freshness of beans. The ideal place to store your unused coffee is in a cool, dark area with a stable temperature. Avoid storing it in a cabinet next to your stove or oven, as the heat can accelerate the chemical reactions that degrade coffee. Keep the beans away from direct sunlight will cause them to absorb the coffee and degrade the flavor.