What's the best coffee bean to buy? That’s an entirely subjective matter, determined as much by personal tastes as it is by the incredibly wide range of coffee beans for sale.

First, think about what kind of coffee you like. Do you prefer a rich yet mellow cup of coffee to soothe you into your day? Or do you want a jolt of strong black espresso coffee to jump start your brain, either on its own or combined with steamed milk for a cappuccino or a caffè latte? Would you like a bright, light coffee brew for a midmorning or late afternoon eye-opener? Or a more complex cup of coffee that invites you to ponder? Is a tantalizingly sweet flavored coffee your idea of the perfect dessert after dinner? Or would you like a rich-tasting decaffeinated coffee that you can enjoy before a good night’s sleep?

Of course, there’s no one right answer. Different types of day, different moods, and different types of occasions can call for different kinds of coffee beans. So the best coffee beans for you might well be an assortment of different coffee bean choices.

Where to Shop for the Best Coffee Beans
Once upon a time not so long ago, most people bought their coffee beans at the supermarket. Today, there’s an almost bewildering range of choices. You can find coffee beans at one of the gourmet coffeehouses and specialty coffee stores that seem to be on almost every block in every big city and small town alike. You can also find high-quality coffee beans for sale in gourmet shops, so-called “big box” discount chain stores, gift shops, bookstores, doughnut shops, bakeries, and any number of other places that cater to people of discriminating good tastes. Gourmet coffee beans are also offered for sale through mail order catalogs, whether general gift catalogs, gourmet catalogs, or catalogs specifically devoted to selling the best coffee beans, either via individual orders or through gourmet coffee clubs that send its members regular shipments.

Most fascinating of all is the countless number of places that sell gourmet coffee beans on the Internet today. You’ll find website locations for all the major widespread coffee brands, as well as for most regional and even local coffee brands. Some websites devote themselves just to selling the best exotic coffee beans from specific countries or regions, such Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee or Hawaiian Kona coffee. Gourmet coffee clubs also have a strong presence on the Internet.

How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans
The best coffee beans can be found in most of the places coffee beans are sold, from supermarkets to coffeehouses, gift shops to mail order catalogs to the Internet. The secret to choosing the best coffee beans can be found not so much in the way you buy them as in the careful thought given to selecting them.

First and foremost, the best coffee beans will be freshly roasted coffee beans. Look for a source that indicates it sells only freshly roasted coffee. How can you tell? When buying from a shop, choose one that does a lively business and therefore turns over its inventory fairly quickly. Many smaller coffee stores will roast their coffee beans on the premises; and larger chain stores will receive regular shipments of freshly roasted coffee beans. If you can look at the beans, choose only those that have the appearance of high-quality beans, whole and attractive, with a good, pleasant coffee aroma.

If the coffee beans have been already packaged, opt for those that were vacuum-packed to safeguard their freshness. In supermarkets, look for coffee beans that have been vacuum-packed, too, to ensure that they’ll be as fresh when opened as the day they were roasted. If possible, check for a “sell-by” date on the package, an indication of whether or not the coffee beans are still in peak condition.

Buying coffee beans by mail order or from a website can also ensure freshness. Many such coffee companies will say on their websites how frequently they roast their product, or offer assurances that they only ship out freshly roasted coffee beans. Reputable coffee clubs, which send out shipments on a regular and carefully planned basements, will also be more likely to deliver the best freshly roasted coffee beans to their members.

Whatever the source, try to buy whole bean coffee rather than ground coffee. Whole coffee beans hold their flavor longer, while grinding coffee is the first step in releasing its flavor for brewing. The best coffee bean to buy for a great cup of coffee will always be a whole coffee bean that you wait to grind just before brewing.