The search for the right coffee can feel like an impossible, never-ending journey. We know. We’ve been there.
It’s not about discovering what other people have deemed the “world’s best coffee.” It’s about finding your coffee. One that not only meets your taste preferences, but also accounts for potential dietary restrictions, ethical values, financial standing, and more.
If you live in a small community, your options for coffee might be limited. Even if you don’t, it can become time-consuming and expensive trying to visit every coffee shop on your quest for the right coffee.
This is why we recommend you buy coffee beans online.
The internet provides the perfect gateway for anyone to find an amazing, ethically-sourced coffee. The downside is…there are a lot of coffee companies out there, and they are not all created equal.
How do you sort through all of the options and find a coffee brand that you can fall in love with? We’re here to help with that. This is our guide to determining where to buy coffee beans online.
But before we get into where you should buy your coffee, let’s discuss what type of coffee is best for you.
Whether you buy coffee beans online or in a store, the first thing you’ll need to decide is what type of roast you want. For those who are new to the world of coffee, it can seem a bit overwhelming. After all, there seem to be a near infinite number of roasts out there.
So, let’s start simple.
On the most basic level, there are three types of roasts: light, medium, and dark.
How the type of roast is determined can depend on a few factors including time, temperature, and technique. Light roasts are often roasted at a lower temperture and/or for less time, while dark roasts are often made using higher temps over a long period of time. Medium roasts naturally fall in between.
However, there are exceptions. Ultimately, the roast level is determined by the color, and while the other factors can vary, you can generally expect similar experiences from each type of roast.
When it comes to coffee, the roast level plays a huge role in determining the flavor, body, and overall experience of your brew. Whether you like your coffee bright and complex or bold and smoky, understanding different roast levels will help you find the perfect match.
Light roast coffee is typically roasted for a shorter time period, preserving the natural characteristics of the beans. These coffees often have bright acidity, floral, or fruity notes, as well as a lighter body. If you enjoy delicate flavors and tasting the unique characteristics of a coffee’s origin, light roast is the way to go.
Also, despite what some think, light roasts often have more caffeine than darker roasts. This is because the roasting process reduces the caffeine content of the bean.
That’s not to say all light roasts have a high level of caffeine or all dark roasts have a lower amount of caffeine. But more often than not, that is the case. It’s also worth mentioning that caffeine content is also dependent on how you make your coffee.
Light roasts typically work best for pour-over and drip brewing methods, allowing their nuanced flavors to shine.
Medium roast coffee strikes the perfect balance between the natural flavors of the beans and the caramelized notes that develop during roasting. It offers a smooth, well-rounded cup with medium acidity and body. You’ll often taste a mix of fruity, nutty, and chocolatey notes, making this roast ideal for those who appreciate variety in their coffee.
Medium roasts tend to be the most versatile. Whether you’re doing a pour over or you’re making cold brew at home, you can’t go wrong with a medium roast.
Dark roast coffee is roasted for a longer period of time using a higher temperature. Even if it’s roasted at the same temp as a light roast, it will be left there longer, developing deep, smoky, and sometimes even bittersweet flavors. This roast is lower in acidity and has a heavier body, often featuring notes of chocolate, caramel, and spice.
If you love a bold, intense cup of coffee with a smooth finish, dark roast is the way to go. It’s great for espresso, but it’s also popular for milk-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.
In your journey to buy coffee beans online, you’ll likely stumble across “blended roasts”. Blended roasts combine beans roasted at different levels to create a unique and balanced flavor profile.
For example, a blend of light and dark roasted beans can offer the brightness of a light roast with the rich body of a dark roast. This is known as a post-blend, where the beans are roasted separately at different temperatures and/or for different time periods and then mixed together.
There are also pre-blend roasts. These involve taking beans from two separate origins and roasting them together.
In either case, the goal is to highlight the best aspects of each roast type, creating a uniquely dynamic and layered coffee experience.
Once you’ve settled on a roast, you’ll need to decide whether you want whole bean or ground coffee. While some coffee snobs aficionados will say you should always buy whole bean coffee, both options have their benefits.
The best choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle and preferences.
Whole beans preserve their natural oils and flavors longer, offering a richer, fresher cup. It also means you’re in control of the grind, which can significantly impact the taste of your brew.
This provides more versatility. You can adjust the grind size for different brewing methods, from espresso to French press.
So, what’s the downside? Whole bean coffee comes with more upfront cost and more effort. You’ll need a grinder, which adds cost, effort, and a bit of noise to your routine. While you have more control, this also leaves more room for human error as you figure out the right grind size.
For those who want their coffee quickly and with minimal hassle, ground coffee is a great option. It’s pre-ground to the right consistency, making it easy to scoop and brew. This is especially useful for travelers, campers, or anyone short on time.
However, ground coffee loses its freshness faster than whole beans, so it’s best to buy in smaller quantities and store it properly. Some pre-ground options may also contain additives, so sourcing from a trusted roaster is key.
With Brew North Roasters, you won’t have to worry about unknown additives.
While roast and grind preferences are the most obvious parts of selecting the coffee that’s right for you, they’re not the only factors to consider. To get the best coffee, you’ll need to determine where the coffee comes from, how it’s made, and what is (and is not) in it.
This isn’t always immediately obvious when you buy coffee beans online. After all, any business can put together a nice-looking website. But how can you know if their product is any good?
There are a few key things to look for.
When deciding to buy coffee beans online, choosing an ethically-sourced brand ensures that your purchase supports fair labor practices, humane working conditions, and environmentally responsible farming. Brew North Roasters only uses beans that come from farmers who have been paid livable wages and work in safe conditions.
For those interested, we are happy to trace any of our roasts directly to the source of where they come from and provide you with that information.
Consistency is key when it comes to enjoying a great cup of coffee every morning. The roasting process is critical in ensuring consistency. However, it’s also important that the beans are grown in natural, organic conditions. Organic farming practices not only protect the environment by avoiding harmful pesticides and chemicals, but they also result in beans that are rich in natural flavors.
At Brew North Roasters, we care deeply about what’s in our coffee. That is why all of our roasts use organically sourced coffee beans.
Poor farming practices can take a toll on the environment, stripping soil of nutrients, disrupting natural habitats, reducing forests, and even polluting local water supplies. Unfortunately, much of the world’s coffee economy has been fueled by unsustainable farming, resulting in decades of damage.
The good news is this has started to change in recent years. Many coffee farms are started to follow sustainable practices to ensure the soil and surrounding environment are protected. Not only does this protect our planet, but it actually results in a better product.
Coffee that is grown in healthy soil without harmful chemicals and pesticides simply tastes better.
When you choose to buy from a brand commitment to a sustainable coffee economy, you can trust that you’ll be receiving the best product possible while leaving behind a better place for future generations.
In an era where convenience often trumps quality, it’s easy to turn to big chains for coffee. When it comes to finding coffee that meets your specific preferences, however, you’re likely to find better results with a small brand. Large coffee companies tend to focus on maximizing efficiency and profit margins, which can result in more “streamlined”, less sustainable practices.
Additionally, smaller coffee roasters often focus on more unique flavors and specific methods, while large brands work to deliver to the broadest (and most generic) audience possible.
Here’s what you can typically expect when you choose to buy coffee beans online from a small business.
Small coffee businesses are able to prioritize quality and craft. Unlike large chains that mass-produce coffee with a one-size-fits-all approach, small brands carefully select, roast, and package each batch with the aim of delivering the best coffee experience possible.
From start to finish, you’re likely to experience a more personalized approach with a small brand.
Every purchase from a small business directly benefits families, farmers, and local communities. Small coffee roasters often work directly with small-scale farmers and distributors, which ensures profits go to the right people. Local coffee brands are also integrated with their surrounding communities, allowing them to provide support to regions often overlooked by large brands.
With a smaller coffee roaster, you can put names and faces to the very people making your coffee.
Small businesses tend to be more transparent about their sourcing, ethical standards, and commitment to the environment. That’s not to say all large coffee brands are bad and shouldn’t be trusted. In many ways, it was larger brands that opened people’s eyes (or maybe tastebuds) to a better coffee experience.
But today, it’s often smaller brands that are innovating and pushing things further.
With brands like Brew North Roasters, you’re working directly with people just like you. People who love good, consistent coffee and want to leave a better planet behind for the next generation.
Brew North Roasters started out of a desire to provide people with great coffee no matter where they were in the world. Our products are designed to be used in the woods, by a lake, or at the summit of a mountain. Of course, they work just fine in an office, kitchen, or hotel room.
We understand that everyone is on their own adventure and they deserve to be able to bring their coffee along with them.
But it’s not enough to have our coffee simply taste good. As a midwestern coffee company, farming is a big part of our lives. That’s why we strive to ensure our coffee is grown in safe working conditions by farmers receiving a fair wage while following sustainable practices. We started this company to support both our local community and the worldwide coffee community.
Brew North Roasters coffee helps you stay grounded no matter what life brings your way.
If you’re looking to buy coffee beans online, give us a try. Our products are ethically and organically sourced, delivering consistent freshness and quality. Also, first time buyers receive a 15% discount on their first order.
Click here to claim your free offer and start the journey towards finding the best coffee for you.
Want to keep updated on our latest products, learn more about coffee, and receive occasional promotions? All you need to do is fill out the fields you see here, and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
Don’t worry, we won’t spam your inbox or sell your information..
You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook for updates, behind the scenes insights, and more.
Ethical, organically sourced coffee.
126 N Washington Ave
Sheldon, Iowa 51201
© 2023
Written & Built by This Blank Page
