Where to Buy Coffee Beans

Making sure you buy fresh coffee beans and then grinding them right before brewing will give you the most robust flavor. It also allows you to manage the size of your grind, which isn't possible with preground.

If you can, buy locally from a coffee shop or grocer that is specialized in imported coffees of high-quality. Supporting these small companies helps them stay afloat and beans makes the coffee gift better tasting.

1. Find a roaster who has a good standing

Both the quality of the coffee beans and roasting are crucial to a great cup. You can find great beans from numerous online roasters. Not all roasters are created equal. Certain roasters are more focused on selection while others are more detailed and focused on getting the perfect roast every time. You can learn a lot about roasters by looking through their packaging, websites and customer reviews.

When purchasing wholesale coffee beans, make sure you choose an roaster who is committed to sustainable business and ethical practices. This will ensure that your coffee shop sources the best beans in a sustainable way. Many coffee shops want to buy local roasters in order to give back to their community.

You can also save money by buying whole coffee beans and beans then grinding them yourself. This is an easy and effective method to add an extra fresh taste to your coffee. It is also possible to avoid shipping costs by purchasing from a local roaster who will deliver to your area.

2. Buy in smaller quantities

When you purchase from a small batch roaster it goes a long way to ensure that your beans are fresh. This is due to the fact that they keep a low inventory and move their coffee fast and do not let it sit around long either pre- or post-roast. They can roast at a lower temperature to keep from overdoing things.

If you prefer, look for coffee labels that include a "roasted on" date, as well as (or instead of) an expiration date. Certain high-end roasters stamp this information directly on the bag, such as Stumptown or Counter Culture. They often also include information about the beans themselves, like the variety, altitude, name of the farmer, and more.

Commodity coffee makes up a significant part of the coffee traded in the second wave. It is roasted in large quantities and is typically dark-roasted to hide any imperfections. This kind of coffee isn't terrible, but it's not as delicious as what you can get from a smaller-batch roaster. The coffee tends to have more of an aftertaste if it's been in storage for a long time.

3. Buy fresh

As a perishable item, coffee beans lose their flavor and aroma after roasting. It is recommended to purchase fresh coffee beans from an online or local roaster if you don't have one nearby.

Examine the bag for the "roasted on" or "use by" date. Then, you can determine the best time to purchase. The ideal time to use your beans within two weeks of roast date for the best flavor and taste.

It's not easy to know how beans have sat on the shelves of a grocery store that sells a variety of beans. Most grocery stores do not have the facilities necessary to keep their beans at the same quality as a roaster.

It takes an extended time and a greater amount of money to purchase the best equipment to ensure that beans are at their freshest. Even even if they invest in appropriate equipment, they will only have a certain amount of beans at any one time.

4. Buy ground

The coffee aisle at the grocery store is filled with options for whole and ground beans from all over the globe. Whole beans are more delicious and more convenient than ground coffee.

If you purchase whole bean coffee, it is your responsibility to grind it before brewing. This lets the freshness and subtle flavor to shine through. The majority of coffee that is pre-ground that is available is medium grind. This size is the best choice for the majority of coffee brewing methods.

After the beans have been cooked, they start to degrade and become stale. After the roasting process there are holes in the shell which exposes beans to oxygen. This happens more quickly than when the beans remain intact.

Whole bean coffee from the grocery store is usually stale when you bring it home. Even sealed cans of coffee at the local supermarket will not be as fresh as freshly ground coffee from a reputable roaster. This is due to the fact that the flavor of the bean is diminished, as are the aromas, subtleties and acidity, as well the natural sugar when it is ground to be sold. It is essential to buy enough grounds to last a week and to store them properly.

5. Buy fair trade

Fair trade is a system by which coffee farmers are offered an honest deal on the market. Fair trade organizations extend beyond the International Coffee Agreement, which is essential for regulating quotas, while maintaining prices.

Fair Trade aims to lift coffee farmers from poverty and provide an industry-wide sustainable model. Fair trade also requires environmentally sustainable farming methods which protect and conserve wildlife, ecosystems, and wildlife. This benefit is not only for the farmers but also for the environment and consumers.

The most effective method FLO and Fair Trade USA try to aid in reducing poverty and jump-start economic development is by setting a "price floor" for green coffee beans. The New York Coffee Exchange is used to calculate the price of the floor. If the price for commodity (non-specialty coffee) falls, fair trade prices will rise to reflect that drop. Additionally, FLO and Fair Trade USA require that farmers work in safe conditions with reasonable hours and earn a living wage and implement strategies for environmental sustainability on their land.