5 Myths About Coffee Beans To Buy That You Should Avoid

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a lover of whole beans, the best place to buy them is at your local coffee shop or roaster. If you don't live near a roaster, search on the internet for companies that can roast and then ship your order.

Geography plays a significant impact on how coffee tastes like So, be sure to consider the country of origin of the beans you purchase.

Arabica vs. Robusta

There are more than 100 distinct coffee species. The two most commonly used are Coffea arabica (Robusta) and Coffea Canephora. Robusta is more resistant to drought, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower elevations and produces more coffee cherries each year. It is also less expensive than arabica to grow.

Robusta is responsible for 40% of world's coffee production. While it's true that an inferior robusta batch can taste like burned rubber, Coffeee Shops a quality coffee made with specialty beans can be able to compete with Arabica in taste. The problem is that, with a few exceptions the majority of robusta sold on the market comes from plantations that only care about the quantity.

Robusta plants thrive at lower altitudes and their resistance to diseases and Coffeee shops pests is because of the high caffeine content in the beans. This is why they are the most popular selection in traditional diner drinks and instant coffees. While some companies claim their product as 100 percent arabica, they often mix it with some sort of robusta in order to save money, and offer their customers a less than desirable cup of coffee. Robusta coffee is typically more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It may also have a nutty, Coffeee shops peanut or dark chocolate flavor. These flavors can be unpleasant to some people or too strong.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which develop inside of small vibrant fruits, referred to as coffee berries. The berries are removed from the coffee plant once they have reached ripeness and then separated into two beans. The beans are roasted and then used to create our favorite coffee brew.

The most well-known variety of beans are Arabica, and they're known for their smoky flavor that doesn't taste bitter. They are also renowned for their richness and are able to provide a wide range of flavors. The main regions that grow these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are perfect.

They are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more care. To allow the flavor profile to develop, they require specific temperatures and adequate rainfall. In fact, the best coffee beans on the planet come from Africa in the region where a lot of coffee farms are owned by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro scale.

Aside from the region that is growing another crucial aspect to take into consideration when purchasing coffee is whether or not it's a single origin. "Single Origin" can mean many things however, it typically means that the coffee comes from only one farm, crop, or region in the same country. Third wave coffee is excellent because you get to experience it in its most pure form knowing where it came from.

Grind

A good-quality brew begins with excellent coffee beans however, the process of grinding, brewing and serving will affect the final flavor of your cup. You can find the perfect blend of coffee by experimenting with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

The size of the grind is a significant factor in the extraction of coffee solids soluble from the ground. This affects the taste of the coffee. If the grind is too fine and water isn't able penetrate the ground to pull the coffee solids that are soluble out. This is known as under extraction and may lead to a weak cup of coffee. If the grind is fine it will allow the water to pass through the coffee grounds faster and result in an over extraction. This will result in bitterness.

You can purchase coffee that has been ground however, it is recommended to purchase the whole bean and grind your own beans immediately before making. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if were to buy the pre-ground coffee gift set.

The burr grinding machine is ideal for a consistent grind however, you can use a food processor, hand-grinders or a mortar-and-pestle. Burr grinders have two cutting discs, which break beans into a particular grind consistency by changing the distance between the burrs. A smaller gap results in the finest grind, whereas a larger one produces a coarser grind.

Stores

Coffee beans can degrade rapidly after they've been exposed, so it is a good idea to keep the bean bag tightly shut and grind only as much as you need for your next brew. It is also advisable to look into purchasing a resealable coffee canister, which will eliminate air and allow CO2 gasses that are released when the beans are first crushed to be released.

Whole bean coffee can stay in its best condition for up to a month if kept in a proper storage. Once ground, your coffee's quality will begin to diminish in just 30 minutes. That is why it's best to only grind the amount you'll need and then store the rest in an airtight, opaque container.

You can purchase a wide assortment of attractive, simple-to-use coffee storage containers. Some of them are even vacuum sealed, which prevents moisture from entering. Others have a valve that releases the gasses released by freshly roasted coffee, which will preserve the freshness of the beans.

The best place to store your unused coffee is a dark, cool place with a constant temperature. Avoid keeping your coffee near your stove or oven since the heat can accelerate chemical reactions that degrade the coffee. Keep the beans away as direct sunlight will cause the beans to absorb the caffeine and lose flavor.