Where to Buy Coffee Beans
The purchase of fresh coffee beans and grinding them just before brewing gives you the most intense flavor. It also lets you control the size of your grind which isn't possible with pre-ground.
If you can, buy locally-owned roasters and/or a grocery store that specializes in quality imports. Small-scale businesses can benefit from support to remain afloat, and it makes for better tasting coffee.
1. Choose a roaster with a good reputation.
Both the quality of the beans and roasting are crucial to making a great cup. You can find great beans from many online coffee roasters. But not all are created equally. Certain roasters focus on the breadth of their selection, while others are more detailed and focusing on the perfect roast every time. You can get a good idea about roasters by checking their packaging, websites and customer reviews.
If you are buying wholesale coffee beans, search for a roaster that is focused on sustainability and ethical business practices. This will ensure that your coffee shop gets the best beans in a sustainable way. Many coffee shops are looking to give back to their local community by purchasing from local roasters.
You can save money by purchasing whole coffee beans and then grinding them yourself. This is a simple and effective way to get an improved flavor in your coffee. Additionally, you will get rid of the additional cost of shipping when you purchase from a local roaster who will deliver to your area.
2. Buy in smaller quantities
It is crucial to purchase from small batch roasters as they will ensure that the beans you receive are fresh. This is because small batch roasters have a low stock and move their beans quickly, so they don't remain in storage for long beforeor post roasting. In addition, they could roast at a lower capacity to keep from overdoing it.
Look for labels that include a "roasted on date" as well (or in lieu of) the sell-by date. Certain roasters with high-end quality, such as Stumptown and Counter Culture, stamp this directly on the bag. They often also include information about the beans themselves, including varietal, altitude, name of the farmer and more.
A large portion of the coffee traded within the second wave and beyond is called commodity coffee, which is roast in large quantities and is generally roasting dark to hide the various imperfections. The coffee isn't bad but it's not as excellent as the coffee you can get from small-batch roasters. It's a bit tastier and has an aftertaste that is stronger as it's left to sit for a longer time.
3. Buy fresh
As a perishable item, coffee beans begin losing their aroma and flavor as soon as they're roasted. It is recommended to purchase fresh coffee beans from local or online roasters if you don't have one in your area.
The best way to accomplish this is to look up the 'roasted-on' date or 'use by' time on the bag. Then, you can plan your purchase. For the best flavor and aroma you should consume the beans within two weeks of roasting.
If you buy your beans from a retailer that sells a broad range of beans, it might be difficult to determine how long beans have been sitting on the shelf. The reality is that many grocery stores don't have the facilities to keep their beans as fresh as roasters do.
This is because it requires an enormous amount of time and money to purchase the right equipment to keep beans at the peak of freshness. Even if they invest in this equipment the amount of fresh beans on hand at any given moment is limited.
4. Buy ground
The coffee aisle in the grocery store is overflowing with whole and ground options from all over the world. Whole beans are more flavorful and convenient than ground coffee.
When you buy whole bean coffee, it's your duty to grind it prior making it. This lets the freshness and subtle flavors to come through. The majority of pre-ground coffee available on the market is a medium grind. This is the size that is most compatible with most coffee brewing methods.
After the beans have been cooked, they start to degrade and go stale quickly. This is because, after the roasting process, there are a few holes inside the shell which expose them to oxygen. This happens faster if the beans are not completely roasted.
Whole bean coffee bought from the supermarket is typically old by the time you get it at home. Even sealed cans of coffee from the local supermarket are less fresh than freshly ground coffee from a reputable coffee roaster. This is because the flavor of the bean loses its subtleties, aromas and acidity, as well the natural sugar once it is ground for sale. It is important to purchase enough grounds to last at least a week, and to store them properly.
5. Buy fair trade
Fair trade is a system that guarantees coffee farmers an equitable price on the market. While the International Coffee Agreement is important in regulating quotas and maintaining prices in a stable manner but fair trade organizations go a step further.
The purpose of Fair Trade is to lift coffee farmers from poverty and provide an environmentally sustainable model for the entire industry. In addition to fair prices, fair trade requires environmentally responsible methods of farming that protect the ecosystems and wildlife. This benefit is not only for farmers, but also for the environment and the people who consume it.
The primary way FLO and Fair Trade USA try to aid in alleviating poverty and to jump-start economic growth is by setting a "price floor" for green coffee beans. The New York Coffee Exchange is used to measure the price of the floor. So, if 500g coffee beans for commodity (non-specialty coffee) drops, fair trade prices go up to match that. FLO and Fair Trade USA also require that farmers receive an adequate amount and work in safe working conditions. They must also adhere to reasonable working hours.