No matter where in the world you go, you’ll find people drinking coffee to wake themselves up in the morning. The caffeine in it can keep tiredness at bay, helping you get through the day while tackling everything on your agenda. Drinking coffee can also be relaxing, though: some people love sipping on it while reading a good book or spending quality time with a friend. No matter which kind of coffee drinker you are, there are various factors you should consider before buying coffee online.
There are two major types of coffee: Robusta and Arabica. Coffee is also available in different roast types, including light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roasts, each of which will affect its taste. Other factors to consider are roast date, price, taste, and grind size, but try not to get overwhelmed. We’re here to help you shop for coffee in 2023, so keep reading to find your next delicious cup of joe.
With so many different kinds of coffee on the market, it can be tough to find the right one for your daily drink. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide containing pretty much everything you should keep in mind while shopping for coffee in 2023. So, without further ado, let’s find some beans that will suit your tastebuds and your budget.
There are two major types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is slightly more expensive, but it boasts a smoother flavor that’s preferred by many connoisseurs. Robusta, on the other hand, is more bitter, but its texture is often smoother.
Roasting is what gets coffee beans ready to grind and brew. There are four types of coffee roasts: light, medium, medium-dark, and dark. Light roast coffee beans are roasted for the least amount of time, which means they’re the most acidic and have the most caffeine. Medium roasts have a balanced aroma, flavor, and acidity, which is what most coffee drinkers are used to. Medium-dark roast beans are richer, thicker, less acidic, and have a deeper aroma, while dark roasts are full-bodied and sweeter, with the least amount of acidity and caffeine.
When it comes to taste, coffee is subjective. Medium roasts can be a good choice if you’re unsure what you like, but a great way to find your favorite is by trying different options. Some brands sell packs containing different flavors, which can be a great choice if you want to sample different kinds of coffee.
Coffee beans come from two main places: South America and Africa. So when you’re exploring different brands, pay attention to where the beans are from. Some people prefer one place of origin over the other because of the beans’ unique flavor profile, but it all comes down to your preferences. You should be able to find something that appeals to your taste buds no matter where the beans are from.
African coffee mainly comes from Ethiopia, which is the origin of Arabica coffee. Coffee from this part of the world is considered high-quality due to the fact that it’s grown in high-altitude areas with excellent climate conditions. Its flavor contains various notes like jasmine, blueberry, and bergamot, and it has mild acidity levels.
South America also produces Arabica coffee, in addition to Robusta. It comes from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, and its profile is characterized by caramel, chocolate, and orange notes with a nutty undertone and mellow acidity.
A blend is comprised of coffee beans from various origins, while a single roast features beans from just one place. If you like to drink the same cup of coffee every morning, pick up a single roast. If you want to change things up, though, pick up a blend for a more complex taste profile.
It’s important to look at the roast date before making your purchase, as this determines your coffee’s freshness. For ideal results, try to find beans that were roasted within the past three months; this will give you with the freshest cup of caffeine to kickstart your day. If you roast your own beans, make sure to use them within four weeks of roasting.
Some brands offer pre-ground coffee beans that come in fine, medium, medium-coarse, or coarse grinds, while others sell fresh, whole beans. Whole beans can taste better, but pre-ground coffee will last longer.
Grinding your own beans can be a rewarding experience, but keep in mind that this is a process that takes time and patience to perfect. While there isn’t a universal grind size, drip coffee makers usually work well with medium-sized ground beans. If you prefer espresso, try using fine or extra-fine grounds instead.
Some brands of coffee taste better when brewed a certain way, so make sure to check out the recommended brewing method before making your purchase. We suggest going for an option that can be brewed in various ways so that you get more bang for your buck. Some popular brewing methods include:
Coffee can be pricey, especially if you want to be able to drink it every day. The average cost of a bag of coffee beans ranges from around $20 to upwards of $80, depending on things like whether the beans are whole or ground, their grind size, origin, and a whole lot more. When shopping for coffee, you should always try to find something that suits your budget and your tastes; you shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
If you want to make sure your coffee is stored properly, here’s what you need to do:
When buying coffee, only purchase as much as you’ll be able to drink within a few weeks. Coffee will go stale if stored for too long, so buying smaller quantities ensures that you won’t start the day off on a bad note. If you happen to purchase more than you need, use half and store the remainder. Keep in mind how much coffee is safe to consume each day.
When it comes to storing coffee beans, you’ll have a wide range of options, including plastic canisters, stainless steel tins, and glass jars. With that said, just make sure that the container is airtight so that no oxygen reaches your coffee and causes it to go bad.
You should store your coffee somewhere dark with low levels of humidity. Refrigerators aren’t recommended for coffee storage, as extreme temperature changes can damage the beans’ natural oils. You should also avoid storing your coffee in cabinets that are frequently exposed to the sun, as this can have a negative impact on its taste.
On the hunt for the most nutritious mocha option out there? Then don’t miss this coffee from VitaCup, which has a smooth, satisfying taste that can give you the energy and focus you need to make it through the day. It’s made from 100% Arabica beans grown in Mexico and Brazil, and it’s infused with several essential vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamins B1, B5, B6, B12, and even D3.
Each package includes 16 cups that work with nearly all Keurig coffee pod brewers, including 2.0-version devices. The cups are completely recyclable, while the coffee itself doesn’t contain any added sugar or soy. Plus, it’s suitable for anyone following a keto diet, making this coffee the best overall pick on this list.
The Four Sigmatic Coffee is the ideal morning pick-me-up for the modern consumer. This unique product combines organic Arabica coffee with three specially chosen ingredients – Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Rhodiola Rosea – to create a one-of-a-kind mix that supports better focus and immunity.
Each package includes ten single-serve packets containing 50mg of caffeine and a powerhouse combination of traditional and functional ingredients. Lion’s Mane is an ancient nootropic mushroom known for centuries to sharpen focus and increase creativity. Chaga, aptly dubbed “the King of Mushrooms,” is incredibly antioxidant-dense, offering powerful immune support and energy-boosting effects. Finally, Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogen that helps reduce stress while boosting brain function and endurance.
Get your daily dose of caffeine with this two-pound bag of medium roast, 100% Arabica coffee beans from Real Good Coffee Company. It’s sweet, smooth, and offers you the tastes of hazelnut, brown sugar, and a little bit of plum to keep things sweet.
This coffee can be a great choice no matter how you brew your morning joe, as it can be made in all coffee machines. The beans are responsibly sourced from Central and South America, and they’re roasted to perfection in Seattle, Washington. Thanks to how delicious and versatile it is, this coffee is one of our top picks.
Blended coffee is more complex than a single taste profile, so if that sounds like something you’d be interested in, check out this medium-dark coffee from Cafe Don Pablo. It’s made with premium beans from Brazil, Guatemala, and Colombia which yield a smooth, cocoa-toned brew that’s low in acidity.
This 100% Arabica coffee is GMO-free, so you can be sure that your cup is up to snuff. Plus, the beans’ natural sugars are caramelized so that you can enjoy the great taste of a good roast as well as the natural flavors you know and love. This coffee is always roasted in small batches, and it’s available in two- and five-pound bags.
If you’re a coffee connoisseur who loves dark roast, this pick from Koffee Kult can be a dream come true. These Arabica beans are sourced from Sumatra, Brazil, and Colombia, and they’re roasted fresh in Florida before ending up in your mug.
This coffee tastes smooth and has a balanced acidity, and you’ll be able to notice hints of cocoa and cinnamon as you sip. It’s bright and heavy-bodied, and because each bag is 100% gluten-free it can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. If you’re looking for a dark roast to brighten up your mornings, make sure you check this coffee out.
If you’re in the market for a dark roast blend, this coffee from Stauf’s is a great option. It offers a complex taste profile, giving you a full-bodied, smoky cup that has a little kick to it to help you wake up in the morning.
This whole bean coffee is 100% Arabica, but even better than that is the fact that it’s kosher. This makes it a great choice for various lifestyles, and because it’s whole bean you can grind it up whenever you’re in the mood for a brew. For the ideal cup of coffee, store these beans in an airtight container and use them within two weeks of their roast date (which you can find on the bottom of the bag).
A: Coffee beans are roasted to bring out their natural flavors. The way they're roasted will affect how they taste, whether that's a light, medium, or dark roast.
A: It all boils down to personal preference. Some people love fresh whole beans that they need to grind every time they want a cup of joe, while others like pre-ground coffee that tends to last longer. Buy whichever option will be a better choice for you!
A: While all coffee beans are grown in tropical regions, their flavor profile will differ depending on where they're sourced from. For example, Central American coffee is light-bodied, while Eastern European coffee tends to be nutty and earthy.
A: As long as you're not drinking too much, coffee can have various health benefits. It can help lower your risk of certain diseases, and it may even help you live longer. With that said, make sure you don't drink more than five cups a day.
A: If you're wondering what makes for the healthiest cup of joe, that would be good ol' plain black coffee. Adding things to your morning mocha (like cream and sugar) can make it taste better, but these can also have an adverse effect on its health benefits.