Where to Buy Coffee Beans
Making sure you buy fresh coffee beans and then grinding them just before brewing gives you the most robust flavor. You can also control the size of the grind, which isn't possible with ground coffee beans that are pre-ground.
If you can, purchase from a local retailer or roaster that specializes in premium imports. Supporting these small companies helps them stay afloat and makes for better tasting coffee.
1. Find a roaster that is reputable.
Both the quality of the coffee beans and roasting are vital for a good cup. You can find excellent beans from many online coffee roasters. Not all roasters are equally. Certain roasters are focused on breadth of selection while others are more specific and focusing on the perfect roast every time. You can find out a lot about roasters by checking their packaging, website and reviews from customers.
If you are buying wholesale coffee beans, look for a roaster who focuses on sustainable business practices and ethical business practices. This will ensure your coffee shop sources the best beans in an environmentally friendly way. Many coffee shops would like to help their local community by buying from local roasters.
You can save money by purchasing whole coffee beans and then grinding them yourself. This is an easy and effective way to get fresher and more flavorful beverage. In addition, you can get rid of the additional cost of shipping if buy from a local roaster who can deliver their products to your area.
2. Buy in smaller quantities
If you purchase your coffee from a small batch roaster it is a great way to ensure that your beans are fresh. This is because small batch roasters maintain an inventory of beans at a minimum and are able to move their beans quickly and do not remain in storage for long before- or after roasting. In addition, they can roast at a lower capacity to avoid overdoing it.
Look for labels that have a "roasted on date" as well (or in place of) the sell-by date. Some premium roasters put this information directly on bags, like Stumptown or Counter Culture. They typically include details about the beans, including the varietal, altitude, and the name of the farmer.
The majority of coffee traded in the second wave and beyond is a commodity coffee, which gets made in large batches and is typically roasting dark to hide every flaw. This type of coffee isn't terrible, but it's not as good as what you can get from a small-batch roaster. It tends to have an aftertaste that is stronger as it's aged for longer.
3. Buy fresh
Since they're a perishable commodity, coffee beans begin to lose their flavor and aroma when they're roasted. It's best to buy fresh coffee beans from local or online roasters if you do not have one nearby.
Check the bag for the "roasted on" or "use by" date. Then you can plan your purchase accordingly. Ideally, you should consume your beans within two weeks of the roast date for the best flavor and taste.
It's sometimes difficult to tell how long beans have been sitting on the shelves of a supermarket that sells a variety of beans. Most grocery stores do not have the facilities necessary to keep their beans at the same freshness as roasters.
This is because it takes a lot of time and money to find the best equipment to keep beans at the peak of freshness. Even when they invest in the proper equipment, they have a limited amount of beans at any given time.
4. Buy ground
The coffee aisle at the grocery store is overflowing with whole and ground options from around the globe. While convenience is an important factor the whole bean is better for your taste buds.
When you buy whole beans of coffee, it's your obligation to grind it prior to making. This allows the subtle flavor and freshness to shine through. The majority of beans available in the market are medium grind. This size is ideal for most coffee brewing methods.
After the beans have been roasting, their quality begins to degrade quickly. After roasting, there are holes in the shell which exposes beans to oxygen. This happens more quickly than if the beans remain whole.
Typically the whole bean grocery store coffee is aged when you take it home, and even the sealed cans at your local grocery store are less fresh than freshly-ground coffee from a reliable roaster. This is because the flavor of the beans loses its subtleties, aromas and acidity, as well as the natural sugar when it is ground up for sale. This is why it is essential to purchase a week's worth and store them properly.
5. Buy fair trade
Fair trade is an arrangement whereby coffee farmers receive a fair deal on the market. While specialty coffee beans is important in controlling quotas and maintaining prices in a stable manner Fair trade organizations take it a step further.
The aim of Fair Trade is to lift coffee farmers out of poverty and offer sustainable models for the entire industry. In addition to fair prices, fair trade requires environmentally responsible methods of farming that protect and preserve ecosystems and wildlife. This benefit is not just for farmers, but also for the consumers and the environment.
The main method by which FLO and Fair Trade USA try to help alleviate poverty and jump-start economic growth is by establishing a "price floor" for green coffee beans. The New York Coffee Exchange is used to measure the price of the floor. This way, if price of the commodity (non-specialty) coffee goes down then fair trade prices will rise and match it. FLO and Fair Trade USA also require that farmers receive an adequate amount and work in safe working conditions. They must also be able to work at a reasonable hour.