The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Coffee Beans To Buy
Where to bulk buy coffee beans Coffee Beans
If you're a big fan of whole coffee beans Your local roaster or coffee shop is the best place to purchase them. If you're unable to live close to one, look for online companies which roast and ship to you.
The origin of the coffee beans can have a big impact on the taste.
Arabica vs. Robusta
There are over 100 different coffee varieties However, the two most commonly utilized are Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta). Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases 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% of world's coffee production. While it's true that an inferior batch of robusta may taste like burnt rubber, a good coffee made with specialty beans can actually rival Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with only a few exceptions, the majority of the robusta available on the market comes from plantations who only care about the quantity.
Robusta plants thrive at lower altitudes and their resistance to diseases and pests is because of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is why they are a common choice for traditional diner coffees and instant coffees. While some companies claim their product as being 100% arabica, they will often mix it with some kind of robusta to save money, but provide their customers with a subpar cup of bulk buy coffee beans. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, more bitter and a more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have the flavor of peanuts or nutty. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overwhelming.
Origin
Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside tiny vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. When they are ripe, the berries are taken from the coffee beans to buy plant, and then separated into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to make our most-loved brew.
The most popular variety of beans is Arabica and are known for their smooth taste that doesn't taste bitter. These beans are also known as complex and able to provide a variety of flavors. The primary regions of cultivation for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are perfect.
These beans tend to have a higher price tag than Robusta due to the fact that they require more care for growth. They require specific temperatures and sufficient rain to build their flavor profile. In fact, the best coffee beans on the planet come from Africa which is where the majority of coffee farms are run by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro scale.
In addition to the region in which it is grown an additional factor to consider when buying coffee is whether or not it's of single origin. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but typically it means that the coffee comes from one farm, crop or region within a specific country. Third wave coffee is so good because it allows you to experience it in its most pure form by knowing where it came from.
Grind
The quality of the coffee you drink is affected by the way it is prepared. Try different grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you discover the best blend of beans that matches your personal preferences.
The grind size has a major impact on the extraction of coffee solids soluble from the grounds. This impacts the flavor of the coffee. If the grind is too coarse it will be difficult for water to penetrate into the grounds to extract the soluble coffee solids. This is referred to as under extraction and can lead to weak coffee. If the grind isn't fine it will allow the water to pass through the coffee grounds faster and suffer from an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.
It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if were to purchase the pre-ground coffee.
The burr grinder is the most popular to ensure a consistent grinding, but you can use a food processor, hand grinder, or mortar and pestle. Burr grinders are equipped with two cutting discs that cut the beans to a specific grind consistency by adjusting the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap results in an easier grind, while the one with a larger gap results in more coarse grind.
Stores
It is recommended to keep your bag tightly sealed and only grind the amount you'll need for your next brew. You may also want to look into buying a resealable canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first ground to escape.
Whole bean coffee will stay at its peak freshness for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. However, once ground the quality of your coffee could diminish in as little as 30 minutes. This is why it's recommended to only grind the amount you'll need and then store the rest in a sealed, airtight container.
You can find a vast variety of attractive, easy-to-use premium coffee beans storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from getting in. Some even have a single-way valve that releases gasses produced by freshly roasted coffee which will preserve the beans' freshness.
The best place to store your unused coffee is in a cool, dark location that has a steady temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your oven or stove as heat can accelerate chemical reactions that degrade the coffee. It is also recommended to keep the beans out of direct sunlight, since they will absorb the light and diminish their flavor.