Where to Buy Coffee Beans If you're in love with whole beans the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not close to an espresso machine, look online for companies that roast and then ship your order. Geography plays an important factor in the taste of coffee like and so be aware of the country of origin of the beans you're buying. Arabica vs. Robusta There are more than 100 distinct coffee varieties. The two most common are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, pests and diseases. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries every year. It is also less expensive to grow than arabica. Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While a poor quality batch may taste like burned rubber, a premium blend made with specialty beans can rival Arabica's flavor. The problem is there are some exceptions, however, most robusta that is sold on the market is from plantations that are only concerned about quantity. The high caffeine content of the beans makes them impervious to disease and pests. This is why they are the most popular selection in traditional diner drinks and instant coffees. Even though some companies proclaim their coffee as being 100 arabica, they often mix it with some type of robusta to save money, but provide their customers with a lower quality cup of coffee. Robusta can have a harsher bitter, sour and more grainy taste than arabica. It can also have the flavor of peanuts or nutty. These flavors can be unpleasant to some people or too strong for others. Origin Coffee beans are actually seeds which develop inside of small colourful fruits known as coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant at the time they are ripe and then divided into two beans. The beans are then roasted and used to make our beloved drink. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-beans -known variety of beans is Arabica and are renowned for their smooth flavor that isn't bitter. These beans are also renowned for their richness and offer a wide range of flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for making high-quality coffee are ideal. They are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more attention. For the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. The best coffee beans in the world come made from Africa. A lot of farms are family-owned and operated on a small scale. When buying coffee, it's important to know if the coffee is of single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but most commonly it means that the coffee comes from a specific farm, crop or region within a specific country. This is a significant part of what makes third wave coffee so appealing - knowing exactly the source of your coffee lets you experience it in its most pure form. Grind The quality of the coffee you consume will be affected by the way it is prepared. Experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing techniques will help you discover the best blend of beans that fits your personal taste. Grind size plays a big impact on the way that the soluble coffee solids are extracted from the grounds during the brewing process, and it affects the taste of your cup of coffee. If the grind is too fine it is unable to get through the grind to extract those soluble coffee solids out. This is known as under extraction. It can result in a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is fine the water will flow through the ground much more quickly and suffer from an over extraction. This will result in bitterness. It is possible to purchase pre-ground coffee but it's better to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before brewing. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and also last longer than if you were to purchase the pre-ground coffee. A burr grinder is the most popular tool to create a consistent grind, but you can also use a hand grinder or a food processor, or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs that can be adjusted to provide an exact grind consistency. A smaller gap produces an easier grinding, whereas the larger gap results in a coarser grinding. Stores Coffee beans degrade in a rapid manner once they are opened, so it's best to keep the bag tightly sealed and only grind the amount you'll need to make the next brew. You might also look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister that will shut out air and allow the CO2 off-gassing that happens when the beans are first crushed to escape. If stored properly, whole bean coffee can last for up to one month. However, once ground the quality of your coffee will deteriorate in as little as 30 minutes. This is the reason it's important to only grind the amount you need and then store the rest of the beans in an airtight, opaque container. You can purchase a wide range of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum-sealed, which stops moisture from getting in. Others have a valve that releases the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee which will preserve the beans' freshness. The best place to store your empty coffee is in a dark, cool area that has a steady temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your oven or stove as heat can accelerate chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. You should also keep the beans away from direct sunlight, since they will absorb it and reduce their flavor.