Many Australians try to get their day off to the best possible start by having the first cup of coffee when they wake up. There are so many different kinds of coffee to choose from and while this is a really good situation to find yourself in, it has made choosing the right coffee beans for your first cup more difficult than it really should be. We have our favourite coffee shops that we like to go to every single day because they create something quite special in the coffee cup that they give to us. Many of us however would love to have coffee shop coffee in our homes and so we are always looking out for ways to get the perfect coffee bean.
It can be incredibly frustrating but the good news is that you can buy decaf coffee beans online as well as the caffeinated kind as well. Many people wrongfully assume that if you invest in the right kind of coffee equipment then this guarantees you the perfect cup of coffee and they would be wrong. Choosing the right bean is just as important as choosing the right equipment and so the following are just some of the top tips that will help you when picking out the right coffee beans for your first cup of coffee in the morning.
- Check the roasting date – This is very important and so when you are shopping online for the perfect coffee bean then look for the date that it was first roasted. Many packets of coffee will have an expiration date but you should understand that to enjoy the best coffee beans, you need to be drinking the coffee no more than three weeks from the date of roasting. It is unlikely that you will get to enjoy the real taste of the original coffee bean if you are buying your coffee off the shelf in the local supermarket.
- Always buy fresh – This is a lot easier said than done but it is entirely possible to buy fresh coffee online that doesn’t contain any caffeine if you know where to look and you know which dealer to do business with. It is always a good idea to talk to the people who work in your favourite local coffee shop and they can give you some much-needed advice and more knowledge so that you can make better choices when it comes to purchasing your coffee beans.
- Determine your preferred flavor profile: Coffee beans have different flavor profiles based on their origin, roast level, and processing method. Decide if you prefer a light, medium, or dark roast, and if you enjoy a particular origin’s flavor notes (e.g., fruity, chocolatey, nutty). This will guide you in selecting the right beans.
- Choose whole beans over pre-ground: Whole beans retain their freshness and flavor for a longer period compared to pre-ground coffee. Invest in a good grinder and grind the beans just before brewing to ensure maximum flavor extraction.
- Consider the coffee’s freshness: Look for coffee beans with a recent roast date. Fresher beans generally produce better-tasting coffee. Avoid beans with no roast date or those that have been sitting on the shelf for a long time.
- Experiment with different origins: Coffee beans are grown in various regions worldwide, each offering unique flavors. Explore beans from different origins (e.g., Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica) to discover your preferences and expand your palate.
- Consider the roast level: Roast level affects the taste of coffee. Light roasts are often more acidic and have more pronounced flavors, while dark roasts tend to be bolder and have a fuller body. Experiment with different roast levels to find your preference.
- Consider the brewing method: Different brewing methods (e.g., espresso, pour-over, French press) may benefit from specific coffee bean characteristics. For example, espresso brewing typically requires beans with a dark roast and a balanced flavor profile, while pour-over methods may highlight the nuances of lighter roasts.
Now that you know a little bit more about buying quality coffee, get yourself online and start looking around for the best coffee beans currently available. Read the many messages that previous customers have left with regards to any particular business and it is always a good idea to check if they actually roast their own beans on the premises. It is also a good idea to try to figure out the origin of the coffee beans that you hope to buy and always be looking out for that roasting date on the packet.