Did you know that getting the best cup of java means finding the best coffee beans? For many coffee drinkers, a cup is a cup. They purchase their coffee already pre-ground at the supermarket. The biggest issue is making sure they have a cup as soon as their feet hit the floor in the morning. However, for those with a finer palate, the beans make all the difference. The difference lies in the smell and the flavour. They say that once you go with gourmet beans, you will never go back to pre-ground. However, for those just getting their taste buds around this finer brew, how do they go about finding the right beans? 

For the best coffee beans, you need to head on past your local supermarket. There are coffee specialty shops that bring beans from all over the world to your local area. Ask around and see if you can find one. Plan your first visit with some time to spare. You want to see what they have and how they treat the beans. Fresh roasted is the best. If you can have them roast it in front of you that is the best. At the very least, they should roast a certain amount daily. Make sure that is what you purchase. If you live in an area without this type of store, you may have to settle for your local supermarket. Check the bottom of the package and see when it was roasted. You want the freshest you can find. 

 

Look at the coffee beans before you buy them. Make sure they are whole and not broken or split. If you find a batch with more than a few broken beans, do not purchase. They will ruin the flavour. Make sure the beans look good. Also, smell them. If your nose tells you that the smell is perfect, your palate will thank you later. If something doesn’t smell right, do not purchase. The next step is selecting the type of bean. That is where the fun begins. You can purchase a variety and see which bean makes your tongue sing. Growers grow beans in many tropical locations around the globe. Each location puts its own stamp on the bean. You can experiment with the level of roast as well. It goes from a very light down to the extreme dark French or Italian roasts. 

How do you keep coffee beans fresh? They do not like wet or hot conditions. Keep them in a sealed container in a cool dry area. Buy only enough coffee to last a week at most. That will help guarantee that you have the freshest beans. Freezing will destroy the flavour. You can grind and roast your own if you are adventurous enough.