Whole Beans Coffee

Whole beans coffee is coffee that is in its natural state.  The coffee beans normally come already roasted to whatever roast you choose, and ready to grind for fresh brewed coffee.  Whole coffee beans are a better choice if you plan to store your coffee for longer periods of time.  Ground coffee is convenient and easy to use.  So which type should you purchase?

Whole beans coffee keeps its flavor longer than reground coffee. When the coffee beans are ground in a special coffee grinder, they release their essential oils which is a crucial step in the coffee brewing process.  If the beans are left in their whole state, they release their oils slower and stay fresh longer.  It is best to only purchase a few days worth of coffee beans at a time and only grind them right before you are ready to brew the coffee for the best, most fresh flavor.  However, if you are not able to purchase fresh coffee beans every few days, you can freeze your fresh coffee beans for up to two weeks.  Only take out as much as you need for every couple of days and return your beans back to the freezer as soon as possible.  It is best not to purchase more that two weeks of coffee at a time because, even in the freezer, the coffee can lose its freshness rather quickly.

Ground coffee is more convenient than whole beans coffee however, and in some parts of the country, ground coffee is the only kind of coffee people can get.  The bad thing about ground coffee is, while it may be more convenient, it goes stale much faster than whole coffee beans.  If you purchase ground coffee, you will need to use it within a couple of days or it will not be as flavorful as it should be.

When purchasing coffee, you can tell the quality of whole beans coffee better than you can with ready ground coffee grounds.  Fresh coffee beans will be closed (old beans crack open and leak oil so you will want to stay away from those) and have a slightly shiny coat on them.  Ready ground coffee can be mixed with old or cheap coffee beans and it is very hard to detect if the coffee is bad or not.

If you have made it your mission to brew the perfect cup of coffee, it should be said that investing in a quality coffee grinder and coffee maker are just as important as how you buy your coffee.  You will probably never brew a “perfect” cup of coffee using pre ground coffee and a regular drip coffee pot, but if you purchase a grinder and only purchase fresh, whole beans coffee, you may come close.  There are many theories on which type of coffee makers make the best coffee, so we will save that for another article.  But if you always start with fresh ground coffee beans, you will definitely improve your chances of brewing a cup of coffee that you can be proud of.

Bulk Coffee

What is a Bulk Coffee Program?

A bulk coffee program is a plan that will ship you a predetermined amount of coffee each month. The amounts vary, so make sure you find a plan which suits your needs. Begin by ordering a conservative amount to make sure you aren’t stuck with too much coffee on your hands. Most of the plans offer a house blend brand of coffee which may be imported from Sumatra, Kenya, Central America or South America.

If you buy bulk coffee online, you should be able to find it at a discount. But don’t just look at the discount price – also be sure to checking out what the shipping costs are. The shipping cost may be sizable since bulk coffee ships in bags weighing up to 25 pounds. One way to cut down on shipping costs is to find a local distributor. This will not only save money, but will also get your coffee to you faster. The last thing you want to do is to end up paying high overnight shipping costs for 25 pounds of bulk coffee.

Tips for Brewing Bulk Coffee

If you do own a restaurant, coffee house, or large business and are making a lot of coffee, be sure to use a commercial grade coffee machine for brewing your bulk coffee. A coffee maker designed for home use cannot make coffee fast enough and does not produce hot enough water for optimal brewing. Using very hot water is one of the secrets to the great coffee served at your favorite restaurant or coffee shop.

If you don’t consume a lot of coffee in a short amount of time, purchasing bulk coffee may not be your best option. The best cup of coffee comes from fresh beans, bought within the last month. You may save money with bulk coffee, but if it sits for several months before you use it up, you’ll be disappointed in the quality of your coffee.