How To Save Money On High Quality Coffee Beans

The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans

There are more than 100 varieties of coffee plants, but the two that dominate the market are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is more caffeine-rich and a harsher taste than the former.

The best coffee beans may be a little more expensive, but that shouldn't surprise anyone, since they're made with more care and focus. Here are some guidelines to help you identify the top quality coffee beans.

Origin

When purchasing premium coffee beans, the source is as important as the roasting process. The place in which the beans are grown directly influences the flavor notes, body, acidity and more.

The most well-known, popular kind of coffee beans are arabica, which are generally considered higher quality than robusta beans. However, there are four different kinds of arabica beans which differ drastically in their climatic conditions and taste profiles.

Coffee from Ethiopia is a good example. It is well-known for its floral and fruity flavors, while coffees from Panama are coveted for their vibrant acidity. Geisha is another famous variety. These tiny beans are only produced in specific regions and have to be sorted by hand prior to roasting. The unique beans may have natural tea-like bodies, mellow flavor and notes of citrus or vanilla.

Other factors to consider when buying coffee is whether the beans are single origin microlot, fair trade, single origin organic, sustainably sourced or sustainable. Some of these buzzwords serve as marketing strategies, while others really indicate the quality of the coffee. For instance, single origin refers to the fact that all beans in a particular coffee come from the same region. Likewise, when the coffee is microlot, it means that the beans were cultivated at high altitudes in nutrient soil.

Variety

There are more than 100 kinds of coffee, however only two varieties dominate the market: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans are considered to be of higher quality and have a more smooth flavor. They have less bitterness and are more caffeine-based than robusta.

If you're looking for a whole bean of high quality look for the seal from a specialty coffee beans roaster. This seal indicates that the beans have been inspected for aroma and taste, cup quality and aroma. This ensures that the beans are cooked in a consistent manner and to the appropriate degree of darkness.

A Good quality coffee beans roaster must also offer different brew methods. This lets you choose the one that best fits your preferences and brewing technique. For instance filter coffee works well with a French-press, while espresso is best paired with drip makers that are automated.

A bag of beans that are whole allows you to try out different flavors. The price tag varies but it's usually worth the additional cost. There are numerous flavors in the same bag. This lets you try several different flavors all at once. Some brands, like Stumptown combine beans from several regions to create distinctive flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for instance, is made up of beans from some of the most renowned regions of the world. It has a medium-bodied taste with notes of fruit jam and caramel.

Roast

When roasted, high quality beans will change from a green hue to the deep browns we consider coffee. You can witness and taste the transition in the flavor of the final product.

You should also be aware of the roast level. There are a variety of levels of roast that are available for coffee and darker roasts have greater, more intense flavor than lighter ones. You can play around with different roast levels to find your favorite when you roast your coffee.

It is essential to select beans that are uniform in both size and color, as this will ensure consistency throughout the roast. It's also vital to agitate the beans during roasting, which helps them cook evenly and avoids burning.

The first step is to warm the beans until they reach a temperature where they begin to steam. As the steam rises, you'll hear a cracking sound and know that your beans are beginning to roast. It's time to shut off the popper and spread out the beans to cool on an oven tray.

Once they're chilled, place them in a colander made from metal and shake them back and forth until they are warm to the touch (this helps to eliminate any chaff). After that, allow the beans to cool in an airtight container giving them time to off-gas carbon dioxide prior to storage.

Storage

The most important thing you can do when it comes to gourmet coffee is to properly store your beans. This ensures that they stay fresh and have the best taste. The beans' greatest enemies are air, moisture and heat. This is why it is crucial to store your beans in a container that is airtight. This will stop them from absorbing odors of other foods in your pantry, and will also stop them from losing the fresh roast flavor. Beans should be kept in a dark, cool location. It is crucial to store beans in a dark and cool area as light can cause a loss of flavor. Additionally the heat can cause them to degrade. It is best to choose an opaque container for your beans like a glass jar or a vacuum coffee canister. These containers will keep your beans fresh for a long time.

Keep the beans in the fridge as soon as you buy them. If you don't want to utilize them immediately, it's best to freeze them. Freezing the beans will extend their shelf life, but it is important to thaw them prior to roasting.

Some people store their unused beans in attractive jars to display them. This can actually harm the beans. It is best to store the beans in a separate container and store them in a secure place.