15 Gifts For The Coffee Beans To Buy Lover In Your Life

Where to Buy Coffee Beans

If you're a fan of whole beans, the best place to purchase them is at your local coffee independent or roaster. If you're not near an espresso machine, look online for companies who will roast and ship your order.

The origin of the coffee beans can influence the flavor.

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, diseases and pests. It can be grown at lower altitudes and beans produces more coffee cherries each 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 burnt rubber, a premium coffee made from specialty beans can compete with Arabica's taste. The issue is that, with few exceptions, most robusta that is sold on the market comes from plantations focused on quantity.

The high level of caffeine in the beans makes them invulnerable to diseases and pests. It's this fact that makes them a popular option for traditional cafes and instant coffee. However, even though some companies may advertise their product as 100% arabica, they often mix it with other varieties of robusta to cut costs and offer their customers the less than ideal cup of coffee. Robusta coffee can be more harsh, more bitter and grainier than arabica. It can also have an nutty or peanut taste. Some people find these flavors unpleasant or overpowering.

Origin

Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow inside tiny fruit that are colorful and sour, called coffee berries. When ripe, these fruits are removed from the coffee plant and split into two beans. The beans are then roasted and then used to create our favorite brew.

The most sought-after variety of beans are Arabica They are well-known for their smooth taste that doesn't have any bitterness. These beans are also known as complex and able to offer a variety of flavors. The main growing regions for these beans are Africa, Central America and South America, where the conditions for a high-quality coffee are optimal.

They are more expensive than Robusta, because their growth requires more attention. In order for the flavor profile to develop, they need specific temperatures and sufficient rainfall. In reality, the best beans in the world come from Africa and the continent of Africa, where many coffee farms are run by family-owned farms, and operate on a micro scale.

When buying coffee, it is important to consider whether the coffee is single origin or not. "Single origin" could mean a range of things, but most often it means that the coffee comes from one farm, crop or region within a particular country. Third wave coffee is good because you can experience it in the most pure form by knowing where it came from.

Grind

The quality of the coffee you drink will be affected by the method of preparation. You can find the perfect mix of coffee by testing with different grind sizes and brewing methods.

The size of the grind plays a significant influence 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, water cannot penetrate the ground and extract soluble cheap coffee beans solids. This is known as under extraction, and can result in a weak cup of chocolate covered coffee beans. If the grind isn't fine it will allow the water to pass through the grounds much faster and will experience an over extraction. This can result in bitterness.

You can buy pre-ground coffee but it's recommended to purchase a whole bean and grind your own beans as soon as you can before making. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and last longer than if you were to buy the pre-ground coffee.

A burr grinder is the preferred tool for creating an even grind, however you can also use a hand grinder as well as a food processor or a mortar and pestle. Burr grinders come with two cutting discs, which break the beans to a specific grind consistency by adjusting the distance between burrs. A smaller gap produces more fine grinding, whereas the larger gap results in more coarse grinding.

Storage

It is recommended to keep your bean bag tightly closed and only grind what you'll need for your next brew. It is possible to purchase an open-top canister that is resealable to remove the air and allow CO2 to escape once the beans are crushed.

Whole bean coffee can remain at its freshest state for up to a month if stored in a safe manner. However, once the coffee is ground, the quality of your coffee will decrease in just 30 minutes. It is best to only drink the amount of coffee you require, and then store the rest in an opaque, airtight container.

You can buy a wide variety of attractive, easy-to-use coffee storage containers. Some are vacuum-sealed, which prevents moisture from getting inside. Others have a valve that releases the gases produced by freshly Roasted coffee beans roasted coffee which will extend the beans' freshness.

The ideal location to store your leftover coffee is in a cool, dark area that has a steady temperature. Avoid placing your coffee in close proximity to your stove or the oven as the heat can speed up chemical reactions that weaken the coffee. Be sure to keep the beans out of direct sunlight can cause them to absorb the coffee and degrade the flavor.