Coffee Freshness Guide
Buying
- Make sure packaging is air-tight. Heat sealed coffee in foil packs with one-way valves will provide you with fresh coffee for up to 2 months if unopened.
- Foil packaging prevents exposure to direct sunlight, which accelerates the staling process.
- One-way valves enable the roaster to pack coffee immediately after roasting, which locks in the freshness immediately while still allowing the coffee to release CO2 gas as part of the natural cooling process.
- Purchase coffee with the roast date instead of an indicative expiry date, so that you can calculate the expiry date for yourself.
Storing
- For the freshest coffee, store in an airtight, opaque container and keep in a cool, dark place.
- Exposure to direct sunlight and air accelerates the spoiling of coffee. An airtight, opaque container will not only protect coffee from the elements, but also contamination to undesirable odors and flavors
- The flavor of both ground and whole been coffee deteriorates after roasting when exposed to air. Only open the amount of coffee that you can use within the week.
Grinding
- Use the appropriate grind to extract the finest coffee flavor. Grind coffee to match the specifications of your coffee equipment.
- Grinding coffee increases the surface area of roasted coffee, allowing more efficient extraction during the brewing process.
- Too coarse a grind will result in under-extraction because the water is in contact with the ground coffee for too little time.
- Too fine a grind will lead to over-extraction and clog the coffee equipment.
- Obtain clear instructions from the machine supplier on the kind of grind before purchasing coffee equipment. The longer the contact time with water during the brewing process, the coarser the grind. Drip grinds for coffee brewers are coarser than espresso grinds.
