Where to Buy Coffee Beans
The most robust flavor comes from buying fresh coffee beans, and grinding them before making your coffee. You can also regulate the size of the grind, which isn't possible when using pre-ground.
If you can, purchase locally from a retailer or roaster that specializes in premium imports. Small-scale businesses can benefit from support to stay afloat and makes for better-tasting coffee.
1. Find a reputable roaster
The quality of the beans and the roasting process are both crucial to a great cup of joe. You can find excellent beans from a variety of roasters online. But not all are created equally. Certain roasters are focused on variety while others are more detailed and focusing on the perfect roast every time. You can learn more about a particular roaster by studying their packaging as well as their website and reviews.
If you are buying wholesale coffee beans, choose a roaster who is committed to sustainability and ethical business practices. This will ensure that your coffee shop is sourcing the highest quality beans in an environmentally friendly way. Many coffee shops want to support their local communities by purchasing from local roasters.
You can save money by purchasing whole coffee beans and then grinding them yourself. It is a simple and effective method of adding an extra fresh taste to your coffee. You can also avoid shipping costs by purchasing from a local roaster who delivers to your place of residence.
2. Buy in smaller amounts
When you purchase from a small batch roaster, it goes a long way to ensure that your beans are fresh. This is because small batch roasters have their stock low and are able to move their beans quickly and do not stay in the same place for a long period of time prior to- or after roasting. They can also roast at a lower temperature to keep from overdoing things.
Check for labels that mention the words "roasted on date" as well (or in lieu of) a sell by date. Certain high-end roasters, such as Stumptown and Counter Culture, stamp this directly on the bag. They will also include information on the beans themselves, such as the variety, altitude, name of the farmer and more.
Much of the coffee that's traded during the second wave and beyond are commodity coffee, which is roasted in large batches and is generally dark-roasted to hide every flaw. This coffee isn't terrible however, it's not as excellent as the coffee you can get from small-batch roasters. The coffee is likely to have more of an aftertaste when it's been in storage for a long period of time.
3. Buy fresh
As a perishable product, coffee beans begin losing their flavor and aroma once they've been roasted. This is why it's vital to buy fresh beans from an online retailer or a local roaster when you don't have a roaster near you.
Check the bag for the "roasted on" or "use by" date. Then, you can make a plan for your purchase. The ideal time to use your beans within two weeks of roast date to get the best flavor and taste.
It's not easy to determine how long beans have been sitting on the shelf in a supermarket which sells a variety beans. It's true that most supermarkets don't have facilities to keep their beans fresh as a roaster.
This is due to the fact that it takes much time and money to acquire the right equipment to keep beans at their freshest. Even when unroasted coffee beans do invest in this equipment, the amount of fresh beans they have on hand at any given moment is limited.
4. Buy ground
The coffee aisle of the grocery store is filled with whole and ground options from around the globe. While convenience is an important factor whole beans are more appealing for your taste and taste buds.
If you purchase whole beans of coffee, it's your duty to grind it prior brewing. This allows the subtle flavors and freshness to come through. The majority of pre-ground coffee available on the market is a medium grind. This size is best for most coffee brewing methods.
After the beans have been roasted, they start to degrade and then become stale. After roasting, there are holes in the shell which exposes the beans to oxygen. This happens faster than if the beans remain whole.
Whole bean coffee purchased from the grocery store is usually stale when you bring it at home. Even sealed coffee cans at your local shop are less fresh than freshly ground coffee from a reputable roaster. This is because, when the beans are ground for sale and then roasted, they lose their nuances and aromas, as well as their natural sugar. It is crucial to purchase enough grounds to last one week and keep them in a safe place.
5. Buy fair trade
Fair trade is a method in which coffee farmers are offered a genuine deal in the market. While the International Coffee Agreement is important in controlling quotas and keeping prices stable but fair trade organizations go one step further.
The purpose of Fair Trade is to lift coffee farmers out of poverty and create sustainable models for the industry as a whole. In addition to fair prices, fair trade requires environmentally sustainable farming practices that safeguard and preserve ecosystems, wildlife and habitats. This benefit is not just for the farmers, but also for the consumers as well as the environment.
The principal way FLO and Fair Trade USA try to help alleviate poverty and kick-start economic growth is by setting a "price floor" for green coffee beans. They equate that floor to the New York Coffee Exchange price. So, if the price for commodity (non-specialty coffee) drops, the fair trade prices increase to reflect that drop. Additionally, FLO and Fair Trade USA require that farmers work under safe conditions with reasonable hours and earn a living wage and also implement strategies to ensure sustainability on their farms.