How To Find The Best High Quality Coffee Beans

Jake Bonneman All About Coffee
3 minute read

We all know how important coffee is. It's the best part of waking up in the morning, and it gives us the energy we need to get through the day. But what if you're not getting the best possible coffee?

What if your coffee beans are just average?

Or worse... sub-par? (shudder)

Don't worry, we're here to help. In this guide, we'll show you how to find the best coffee beans so that you can wake up every morning to a delicious cup of joe.

The first step is to know what beans you're looking for. There are basically two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica coffee beans have more delicate flavors and less caffeine, while Robusta coffee beans have more bitter flavor and more caffeine.

In short: If you're looking for nuanced coffee flavor notes, go with Arabica beans. If you like a bolder, stronger cup of coffee, go with Robusta beans.

Now that you know about the two main types of coffee beans, it's time to start shopping. Here are 3 things to look for:

1. Freshness

Coffee beans lose flavor quickly, so you want to make sure you're buying from a reputable source that doesn't sell "old stock" beans.

Some sellers sell old bags of coffee that have been sitting on a shelf for too long—and that can include your local grocery store. While coffee beans don't go "bad" for a long time, they do lose flavor. So, if you want the “best coffee beans,” you need to buy from a seller who sells coffee beans with the “best” freshness.

2. Roast/Blend

The roast of a coffee bean affects its flavor. If you want a sweeter, less bitter flavor, go for a light roast. If you want a stronger, more bitter flavor, go for a dark roast. And if you want balance, go for a medium roast (sometimes called a "classic roast") or a blend. Blends are a mix of coffee beans, and the best coffee bean blends often include a mix of light and dark roasted beans or a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans—giving the final cup of coffee a “balanced” flavor.

3. Origin

Coffee beans come from all over the world, so you might as well buy beans that come from a place you love. Just like with wine, the origin of the coffee bean can affect its flavor. Do some research and find out which countries produce the best coffee beans. Or at least the coffee beans that are best for you. (In other words, have the flavor and aroma characteristics you personally love).

Two examples of higher quality coffee origins are Hawaiian Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to find the best coffee beans, it's time to get out there and start shopping! Try different beans from different origins and roasters until you find your perfect match.

Once you've found the perfect beans, all that's left is to brew a delicious cup of coffee!

Ready to start your coffee journey? Check out our huge collection of the best ground and whole bean coffees from around the world! You can also head over to Amazon and check out the reviews of thousands of coffee's.