Thursday, May 28, 2009

Going to Buy Coffee Beans? Read This First!

By Christine Pinkston

When someone doesn't know the many benefits of using coffee beans they often don't understand why someone would buy coffee beans when they could just purchase a bag of regular coffee. Regular coffee is just as good, they say. But is it just as good?

The fact of the matter is that there are actually over twenty varieties of coffee beans. With that being said, they are mostly divided into two broad types of beans. Someone who drinks coffee and buys coffee beans on a regular basis might already be familiar with different types of beans that are available and their various flavors.

Coffea Arabica is one of the most widely consumed kind of coffee beans in the world. Arabica is also available in many types of flavors. It is known for its fine taste and smooth texture and refreshing smell which can make many people's day. However it is very expensive due to the growing conditions needed to cultivate this kind of coffee.

Coffee Arabica plants need a certain altitude in which they can thrive which should be at least a few thousand feet above sea level. These plants should also be grown in a temperature between 65- 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Coffee Coffea Canephora makes up between thirty to forty percent of the world's coffee consumption. This type of coffee is also commonly called Robusta. This type of coffee bean is thought to be of an inferior quality because of its bitter taste. Coffee Cofera or Robusta can be grown at around 85 degree Fahrenheit and in almost any place. However because of its bitter taste its not very popular among most people.

This lower quality, somewhat bitter coffee Robusta is often used as filler coffee beans with coffee Arabica to reduce the overall cost of the better tasting and more expensive Arabica coffee. A majority of times when you do purchase coffea Arabica it is mixed with Robusta.

Keep in mind that a cup of coffee is only as good as the coffee bean. Coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans of medium quality will outshine even premium ground coffee that has been sitting on the shelf too long. After you buy coffee beans make sure to store them in air tight container.

The best way to get a fresh cup of coffee is to purchase coffee beans in small quantities and grind them up at home as you go. Coffee grinders are available just about anywhere and they are for the most part inexpensive, so it is worth the money to be able to buy coffee beans and grind them yourself.

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