How to Buy Coffee

When buying coffee, consider the type of coffee as well as the coffee seller. Most people buy pre-ground coffee from the grocery store. Many of them are used to getting inexpensive, bad-tasting coffee, but this does not have to be the case. Bad coffee is often the result of making poor choices during the selection process. With a little knowledge, getting good coffee is possible. When buying ground coffee, keep the following tips in mind.

Select the proper grind for your coffeemaker. Coarse grinds are for percolators, medium grinds are for electric drip machines, and fine grinds are for makers with cone filters and espresso. Buying the wrong grind can result in clogs in your coffee machine and bad-tasting coffee.
Check the roast of the coffee. The basic roasts are light roast or cinnamon, medium roast, and dark or French roast. Dark roasted coffee will have a stronger, more bitter flavor than light roasts.
Read the coffee labels carefully. If the word “blend” appears anywhere on the label, then two different coffees are mixed together.
Look for ‘100%’ on the labels. When buying canned coffee or coffee from the grocery store, look for cans that say 100% Columbian or 100% Hawaiian beans. These coffees will have better flavors than cans with different coffees in them.

Buying coffee beans is a slightly different process from buying ground coffee. The advantage to beans is that they can be ground fresh at home or in the shop. The right selection of coffee beans can make for a pleasant coffee experience.

Buy only freshly roasted coffee. Coffee starts losing its flavor the minute it is roasted. The fresher the coffee bean, the better. Beans bought in a grocery store will have a roast date on them. Look on the bottom of the bag. If bought from a roaster, ask for coffee that is roasted on that day.
Don’t buy beans that are splintered or broken.
The bean is good if it looks good. Trust your senses.

The last thing someone should consider when buying coffee is where to purchase it. Where coffee is purchased from is the most important part of the buying process. Careful consideration should, therefore, be given to where coffee is purchased.

Buy coffee from a knowledgeable source. The gourmet shops are more expensive than the grocery store, but coffee from a gourmet shop will be of a much higher quality. The old adage you get what you pay for applies here. Peet's Coffee and Tea and Starbucks are good sources. Local roasters are also a good place to get specialty coffee.
Be careful about buying on the internet. Inherent risks exist when buying on the internet. The unknown factor of internet sales is something to consider. As with any coffee retail outlet, research a little and be sure that it is a reliable source.