Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
Best Online Coffee Roasters
When looking for the best online coffee roasters it is imperative to find sellers who give you the information you need to choose the right coffee for your taste. You will be guided every step of the way so that you are always 100% satisfied with product and service.
Published November 4, 2022
Select language
Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you are like so many coffee lovers, you are probably tired of spending a small fortune on a cup of inferior coffee at the local drive-thru coffee shop. Some days it is okay and other days you feel like it was brewed hours ago. A true coffee aficionado knows what a freshly brewed cup of coffee should taste like but when you’ve ordered a blonde roast and the coffee is as acidic and strong as a French roast, you know you’ve been had. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to buy their coffee beans online so that they can grind and brew coffee on demand and to their taste. Does this sound like you? If so, let’s look at how to find the best coffee sellers online who carry the beans of origin you prefer, roasted to your taste.
Finding Beans from the Origin of Your Choice
Probably the first place to start when looking for good coffee to buy would be to understand the unique differences between the various regions where the beans are grown. While the same bean may be grown in Ethiopia and Brazil, they will naturally have different nuances in the flavor because of a few key elements, primarily the soil in which they are grown. This is where any plant derives its nutrients so the country of origin will have a definite impact on the flavor of your coffee.
There are other factors contributing to the taste of single origin beans, among which is microclimates and elevation. Did you know that the elevation at which beans are grown contribute significantly to their taste? With that said, the nations that are best known for producing excellent coffee beans are Ethiopia, Columbia and Brazil. As you start to become better acquainted with the different growing regions, you will start to immediately recognize those nuances in flavor that can lead you to the country of origin you prefer.
Remember that the same genetics can be grown in two different countries with enough difference in taste to be recognizable. Once you reach this level, you can say you are a true coffee connoisseur.
Are You Looking for Single Origin or Blends?
One of the reasons why many people choose single origin as the best coffee beans in America would be because of all the artistry and experimentation that goes into creating coffee blends. It’s all about how the nuances within each bean from a particular origin will interact with other beans from different origins. Also, remember that the same genetics can yield variations of flavor depending on where they were grown so sometimes online coffee roasters try blends with single origin beans grown in different countries.
It’s amazing all the knowledge and expertise that go into creating what we’ve come to consider as gourmet blends. Once you find the roaster you are happy with, you might want to experiment with their blends for that unique taste you would otherwise not be exposed to. In the beginning it’s like a journey into the unknown, but once you’ve identified the flavors you prefer, you could very well improve on them with the right blends. Try it for yourself. You will see!
Most people start their exposure to different single origin beans with flavors they are familiar with. The most common undertones are caramel, chocolate, almond and even berries. If you look at the labelling on a package of commercial coffee you have used, you will see that most coffees will say something like “bright and citrusy,” or “sweet and fruity.” These are the flavors you are most likely familiar with, so this is where to begin experimenting with different beans of origin and blends.
There is one other thing to know about single origin coffee beans. This may mean different things to different people, so be sure you know what is being marketed. Single origin could mean from one single farm, or it could refer to a region within a country and sometimes it is a broad and sweeping reference to the country of origin. Remember all those factors that affect the nuances of flavor which is why many coffee lovers choose to buy beans from single local farms as opposed to regional coffees.
This is the basic profile of coffee beans but that will change to lesser or greater degrees depending on the roast.
What Is Your Preferred Roast?
The next thing to consider when looking for the best online whole bean coffee would be the roast you prefer. You can choose between light, medium and dark roasts which can also alter the flavor profile of the coffee when brewed. However, the operative word here is “preference.” If you are looking for a smooth, less acidic coffee then a light roast would probably work best for you. Medium roast beans provide a slightly bolder flavor but not as strong or acidic as dark roasts.
Something else you should know about coffee roasts when looking for the best coffee beans in USA would be an understanding of how some beans lose their natural essence when roasted too darkly. This is something you will need to research because, for example, not all beans work well with dark, French roasts. You will find that the origin of beans can determine the best roast, so that is something you will probably need to learn.
Choosing the right roast for the beans you like best is often a deciding factor on what to order. If you aren’t sure, a good coffee roaster will help you better understand which roasts work best with which beans of origin.
The Importance of Brewing Methodology
Did you know that the same coffee brewed in different ways will also yield a different flavor profile? This is why it is imperative to know how you intend to brew your coffee before ordering what have become recognized as the best coffee beans in the US.
Some coffee lovers find that the trendy French press method of brewing coffee meets their personal preferences in flavor as well as time. Although there are different sizes in French press brewers, the most popular is a single cup unit. It’s much faster than waiting for an entire pot and the flavor is often quite different as well. As a side note here, many coffee roasters suggest Columbian beans for this method of brewing because you will definitely taste the notes of caramel and chocolate inherent in Columbian single origin beans.
Whether you use a pour-over method or the brews from coffee machines like the leading commercial brands on the market, you should know that the flavor will always vary to some degree. Do you often use an espresso machine? If so, you will probably want a darker roast, unless of course you are going to make a latte or frappuccino. When adding milk, milk alternatives or cream, it is suggested that you use a lighter roast and/or coffee bean blends.
A key takeaway from this means that a brewing method can alter the taste of your preferred single origin or blend of beans.
Know Your Processing Preference
When you become familiar with the best coffee sellers you will find that their packaging clearly displays how the cherries are processed. There are two common methods referred to as “washed” and “natural” methods of processing after harvest. Or another way to look at it is wet or dry processing.
Natural processing means the cherries with the beans inside are dried before removing the bean from the pulp. The washed bean process involves removing the bean first and then washing them between layers of parchment.
Does the method of processing beans in any way alter the flavor profile? The experts unanimously say it does. Natural processed beans are fruitier and often preferable if you like a more earthy taste because the bean is allowed to stay in the cherry longer. This gives the beans time to extract the sugars that affect the flavor profile.
The way in which coffee beans are processed can have a significant effect on the flavor profile so if you aren’t sure which you prefer, try them both!
Tips for Choosing the Best Coffee Roaster Online
When choosing the best online coffee roasters, one thing they will almost always suggest is that there is really no way to buy best coffee beans without understanding the difference between whole bean and ground packaging. This is a vital factor in choosing the coffee of origin and roast you prefer.
One thing that you absolutely must understand about ground coffee is that it will always lose a certain amount of the flavor profile you prefer. The natural oils that add significantly to the flavor of the coffee will dry out long before you can brew it.
However, whole beans roasted to your preference will maintain flavor for much longer. The difference is like brewing a pot of stale coffee and one that is fresh and bursting with aroma and flavor. The best coffee sellers will always make this distinction on their website, so do pay careful attention to the amount of information you are provided with.
In the end, the best online coffee roasters will guide you through every step in the process so that you make the right choice every time based on your preferences.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now