Keeping Beans Fresh

[smokey]

Slightly off topic but still freshness related...
A friend and I post beans to each other to sample what one another is enjoying.
Do any readers have knowledge as to weather the conditions the coffee is subjected to (in a one way valve sealed bag under a week since roast date) whilst in the hands of Australia post could affect its drinking?

Fresh roasted coffee is posted throughout Australia every day and you will rarely read negative feedback from drinkers. I would say just go for it as its the best you can do for the cheapest cost, if you want it next day then you can use a courier. Having said that there is nothing wrong in leaving your beans to mature over a few days or even weeks. It does get hot inside a postal van in summer, but in winter I would say temperature would not be much of a problem. And 'good on you' for sharing your roasts with your friend, thats a great thing to do.

[Mornington]

Slightly off topic but still freshness related...
A friend and I post beans to each other to sample what one another is enjoying.
Do any readers have knowledge as to weather the conditions the coffee is subjected to (in a one way valve sealed bag under a week since roast date) whilst in the hands of Australia post could affect its drinking?

[Yelta]

Yelta I thought I was TG.

Your right, should have used lower case tg as in his user name.
My apologies.

[Thundergod]

Yelta I thought I was TG.

[Yelta]

Worked it out. The answer for me is more regular roasting, not storage.

To that end, I think a baby roaster is the solution.

Well done TG, go to the top of the class.

[thegoner]

Green beans, roast in a wok?

30deg is gonna kill them...

Worked it out. The answer for me is more regular roasting, not storage.

To that end, I think a baby roaster is the solution.

[Dimal]

Actually, I don't believe that Freezing per sè is a bad thing, it's more to do with properly and slowly defrosting the beans afterwards, so as to reduce the formation of condensate within the bag and on the beans. Moisture and roasted coffee do not go together very well, hastens the effects of the staling processes...

Mal.

[Dragunov21]

Oh boy !.. wait for the flack !
In my experience , Freezing doesnt change the taste at all, it simply extends the useful storage period of a roasted bean.
As with all things, others opinions may differ, and the only way to be sure is to test it yourself.
But do it in a controlled way with split samples and blind tasting to eliminate any bias !

I'd even question whether bias is a bad thing. If I could delude myself into thinking the espresso I could get from a cheap machine/grinders and supermarket bulk beans was as good as from a decent setup, I'd call that a win; I'm not serving other people in a business and so coffee is a way to give myself enjoyment through a subjective experience; nothing more.

At the end of the day, what matters is that you are enjoying your cup.

[Bazooka]

I am assuming brace position at the moment, waiting for the enlightenments . From my personal experience, the chilled bean tasted more bitter but there were a few things that could contribute to it such as

1. Not statistically accurate as it is only one data point
2. It is the first shot I prepared so the brewing temperature might have been elevated and higher temperature differential between cold beans and brewing might have some unfavourable physical or chemical interactions that affected taste
3. Whatever else that could go wrong

A genuine interest from an eager mind folks, go easy on me and have mercy on my ignorant soul

Thanks

Baz

[blend52]

How does freezing or cooling in a fridge affect taste? (Less fruity, more bitter, etc etc)

Oh boy !.. wait for the flack !
In my experience , Freezing doesnt change the taste at all, it simply extends the useful storage period of a roasted bean.
As with all things, others opinions may differ, and the only way to be sure is to test it yourself.
But do it in a controlled way with split samples and blind tasting to eliminate any bias !

[Yelta]

ummmmm..........double negative there Yelta........ you don't seem to be the sort of bloke who would store their beans in the fridge? ;-)


............unless you're taking the mickey and I'm feeling too serious ........??? ;-D

Typo guy's, should have read (As a matter of interest none of my roasted beans will ever see the inside of a fridge or freezer.) by the time I picked it up too late to edit.

[Bazooka]

How does freezing or cooling in a fridge affect taste? (Less fruity, more bitter, etc etc)

[Dimal]

Caught me as well...

Mal.

[chokkidog]

Spot on Mal,

If anyone feels the storage method has merit, I say go for it.

As a matter of interest none of my roasted beans will never see the inside of a fridge or freezer.

ummmmm..........double negative there Yelta........ you don't seem to be the sort of bloke who would store their beans in the fridge? ;-)


............unless you're taking the mickey and I'm feeling too serious ........??? ;-D

[zingzing]

On the other side of this topics coin....

Does anyone know if there is a way to age roasted beans effectively without the standard resting time..... tick-tock? The reason I ask is that I got my wife to pick me up a 250g bag of beans from a local cafe that use a well known Brisbane roasters coffee. The roast date was 3 days prior and the barista told her that if I wanted to use it the next day then leave the bag open overnight.

My immediate thought was "i'm not doing that" and that the beans would go stale but has anyone actually done this?