HELP re time to use beans

[Noel]

All, I cant seem to get a reasonable explanation from local roasters so here goes. If I purchase fresh beans on the day of roasting what would be the best time in which to use the beans (if i stored them well). :P

[dski]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Im new here but ill chime in anyway.

Let your taste dictate.

But in my experience:

It often takes till about day three for beans to attain best flavor.

Some blends reach a nice full complex profile around day ten.

Once you get beyond two weeks, complexity of flavor starts to deplete pretty rapidly.

The development of fesh beans is one of the fun things about making coffee I reckon 

[Dennis]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Once you get beyond two weeks, complexity of flavor starts to deplete pretty rapidly.

Totally disagree with this.

I cant seem to get a reasonable explanation from local roasters

If the Roaster cant recommend when they believe their coffee is best consumed, and this is information that is important to you, then I suggest you need to find a Roaster who can provide you with this information, after which....

Let your taste dictate.

Cheers
Dennis aka Cuppacoffee

[LindaD]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Once you get beyond two weeks, complexity of flavor starts to deplete pretty rapidly.

Totally disagree with this.

100% with Den on this.

[LindaD]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

All, I cant seem to get a reasonable explanation from local roasters so here goes. If I purchase fresh beans on the day of roasting what would be the best time in which to use the beans (if i stored them well). :P

Noel,

Unusual that your roaster wont explain the simplicity
of how to make sure the beans are at their best for your tastes, or how to store them. 

There are those who say and like to try their bean straight away after roasting. Personally I find they still have that "grassy smell and taste" but thats my personal opinion. Its usual to leave the beans sit for at least 48 hrs to allow them to "degas" and then from anytime onwards. I like to allow mine to sit for at least a 1 week to 10 days before I even open the bag, but again that is personal choice.
Its what works for you. 

Store beans in a air tight container, or in the valve bag that they came in, in the cupboard away from light.
Moisture, air and light are the biggest killers of freshly roasted beans.

Oh and not in the fridge...as alot of people think.  :P

-Linda

[dski]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Once you get beyond two weeks, complexity of flavor starts to deplete pretty rapidly.

Totally disagree with this.

100% with Den on this. 

Geez, tough crowd. :P

Once you get beyond two weeks, complexity of flavor starts to deplete pretty rapidly.

EDIT: In my circumstance, I find that complexity of flavour starts to decrease from two weeks after the roast date.

Unusual that your roaster wont explain the simplicity
of how to make sure the beans are at their best for your tastes, or how to store them. Shocked

You are right that is strange, there are a few good roaster in Brisbane now, maybe you should find another Noel.

[trentski]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

EDIT: In my circumstance, I find that complexity of flavour starts to decrease from two weeks after the roast date.

I reckon that would be the limitations in your equipment and possibly technique that is causing that rather than the beans themself.

Generally speaking I find that between day 5 and day 21 the beans are good. Some are good before then and some after ;D

[dski]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

EDIT: In my circumstance, I find that complexity of flavour starts to decrease from two weeks after the roast date.


I reckon that would be the limitations in your equipment and possibly technique that is causing that rather than the beans themself.

Generally speaking I find that between day 5 and day 21 the beans are good. Some are good before then and some after Grin

Definitely likely to be a factor, thanks Trentski.

I was thinking that Queensland heat and humidity might be a factor also.

[wholeshotalove]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

You will find often commercial roasters recommend their beans are consumable up to 3-4 weeks post roast date. "Consumable" ..........yes. "Nice"...........sure. Not for me though. DSKi I agree with you whole heartedly, 2 weeks max is where Im at too. at 3 weeks it is still nice, but a fair amount of complexity and flavour has gone.

Valid point though as we all percieve taste differently.....let taste be your guide.

[Dennis]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

You will find often commercial roasters recommend their beans are consumable up to 3-4 weeks post roast date.

Actually, you will find that most commercial roasters suggest their beans are consumable for six to twelve months.

Its more commonly the Speciality Roasters who tend to recommend 3-4 weeks.

[wholeshotalove]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Commercial and Specialty is such a blurry line.....

[Dennis]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

Commercial and Specialty is such a blurry line.....

Not for me. I have come up with my own way of identifying the Speciality Roaster:

a) A Speciality Roaster does most of the roasting personally, rarely, if at all assigning it to others;

b) A Speciality Roaster knows his/her customers by name;

c) A Speciality Roasters customers have the mobile phone number of said Speciality Roaster, who will pretty much answer their phone at any time of the day or night, or if not, will always return the call in a timely manner.

[wholeshotalove]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

who will pretty much answer their phone at any time of the day or night,

I believe the term for this is "workaholic" ;D

[cjt10]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

I tend to follow the 3 threes, as mentioned in other threads.

That is......

3 minutes for ground
3 weeks for brown
3 years for green

Generally I will consume after 4 days post post and up to day 14, however the beans in questions can and will vary this time. I have recently been given some beans by another fellow coffeesnob which were fantastic at 21 days post roast.

Noel, perhaps your roaster is reluctant to suggest a date for fear of contradicting what his trade customers might be telling their customers.

[Fresh_Coffee]

Re: HELP re time to use beans

....hehehehehe/.......the 3 / 3 / 3 / "rule". Glad to see some of my stuff resurfaces every now and then

Kind regards to all,
Attilio
very first CS site sponsor