Image: Reuters.
Golden rules when choosing fresh coffee
Everyone agrees that freshly roasted coffee is better, so I offer the following recommendations:
1. Buy coffee that clearly states the roasting date on the packaging.
2. Try to buy coffee roasted within 2 weeks back.
3. Only buy enough coffee for 1-2 weeks at a time.
4. Buy whole bean coffee and grind it at home.
Storing coffee at home
Once the degradation process begins, it’s hard to stop it. As long as you buy fresh coffee and use them relatively quickly, the impact on your cup of coffee will be minimal. However, there are a few ways to store coffee at home to keep them in the best possible condition.
1. Avoid exposing coffee to air
If the packaging bag is resealable, always make sure it is tightly closed. If the packaging bag cannot be completely sealed, transfer the coffee to an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lid or a specially designed one for coffee storage.
2. Store coffee in a dark place
Light causes coffee to degrade faster, especially sunlight. If you store coffee in a transparent container, keep it in a cardboard box.
3. Do not store coffee in the refrigerator
This is a popular method, but it does not extend the shelf life of coffee, and if you store something with a strong smell in the refrigerator together with coffee, the aromas will mix.
4. Keep coffee dry
If you can’t store it in an airtight container, at least don’t store coffee in a humid environment.
If you need to store coffee for a long period of time, put it in the freezer to slow down the degradation process. The important thing is to pack the coffee tightly first. When you want to use the coffee, thaw it completely, but remember to only thaw the portion you want to use immediately.
Freshness
For many years, most people have been conditioned not to think of coffee as a perishable item. For some, that’s because the coffee for them is instant coffee and that is never compromised. Supermarket coffee is usually advertised with a shelf life of 12-24 months from the roasting date. That’s because coffee is considered a stable product on store shelves and still safe to consume after 2 years of roasting, but its taste is quite terrible. It would be easier for all parties involved if coffee is not considered fresh, except for the end consumer.
The specialty coffee industry has failed to create a real impact because there has been no strong consensus on how quickly coffee degrades and at what point it becomes expired.
I recommend that you buy coffee that clearly states the roasting date on the packaging. Many roasters nowadays suggest using coffee within about 30 days from the roasting date, and I follow this advice.
Source: Zing
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