What is the flavor period of coffee beans? What is the resting period of coffee? How should coffee beans be rested?

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Are freshly roasted coffee beans always the best tasting?

No! The roasting date of coffee beans represents freshness. Many people compare coffee bean roasting to cake baking, thinking that beans roasted within 2-3 days can all be considered fresh coffee beans.

However, fresh-roasted beans are not actually at their best flavor. According to FrontStreet Coffee's years of roasting experience and cupping comparisons, coffee beans that have just been roasted for 1-2 days usually carry smoky flavors from roasting and the beans' own odors.

Why shouldn't freshly roasted coffee beans be consumed immediately?

Freshly roasted coffee beans have what's commonly known as "dryness," which mainly manifests as sharp acidity that isn't well-rounded, insufficient sweetness, and a slight astringency that lingers in the mouth. The roasting process is a complex chemical and physical reaction process with variables we may not fully understand. However, this dryness is definitely a perceptible texture.

Every kilogram of coffee beans, in unsaturated conditions, releases approximately 6 to 10 liters of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 1% to 1.2% of the bean's total weight. About 35% of this is released within the first 3 days after roasting. As the carbon dioxide escapes, volatile aromatic compounds also leave. Coffee beans continue to release carbon dioxide (degassing) for about 48 hours after roasting, so brewing them immediately after roasting actually results in poor flavor.

What is coffee bean resting?

Therefore, freshly roasted coffee beans typically need proper resting, which means allowing the beans time to release carbon dioxide naturally.

FrontStreet Coffee recommends storing beans in sealed packaging with one-way degassing valves during resting (ensuring carbon dioxide has an outlet while blocking external oxygen), and placing them in a dry, cool place for 3-7 days. This allows the coffee beans to release some carbon dioxide naturally, reducing dryness and making subsequent coffee extraction more stable. The coffee flavor will also become more rounded and full-bodied.

Resting time for freshly roasted coffee beans

All coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee are shipped within 5 days of roasting and are packaged with one-way degassing valves, guaranteeing 100% freshness. Only freshly roasted coffee beans have more abundant and rich flavors and aromas.

Different roast levels require different resting periods. For coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee, light to medium roast beans are recommended to rest for 3-4 days; medium roast beans for 4-5 days; and medium-dark roast beans for 6-7 days.

Optimal flavor period for freshly roasted coffee beans

The optimal flavor period of coffee is not the same as its shelf life. You should pay attention to the roasting date. For freshly roasted coffee beans, although the flavor changes over the next 1-2 weeks, offering an additional journey to witness the rise and fall of coffee flavors like flowers blooming and withering, we typically taste the best flavors around the 1-week mark.

Based on FrontStreet Coffee's roasting experience, the optimal flavor period for coffee beans is approximately 15-30 days (depending on roast level), meaning that after the resting period, days 7-20 from the roasting date are considered the optimal flavor period.

Do freshly roasted coffee beans have an absolute "optimal flavor period"?

Regarding the "optimal flavor period," although the roast level of each bean can be relatively stable, there are still variations of a few degrees, even when strictly following previous curves, which involves factors like spatial environment. The days when you personally think the coffee tastes great represent the bean's ideal state - that is the "optimal flavor period."

Past the optimal flavor period means the beans are no longer fresh. Not only have the good flavors "left," but bad flavors are also created. Compounds within the beans are affected by oxidation, causing flavors to become negative. Therefore, we recommend purchasing about 2-4 weeks' worth of coffee beans at a time and storing them sealed in a cool, dry place. It's also recommended to use them within 2-4 weeks for the best flavor and aroma. Properly stored coffee past its shelf life generally won't cause health issues if consumed, but if it tastes unpleasant, it's best to discard it!

Shelf life of roasted coffee beans

The shelf life of pre-packaged food refers to the period during which the product can be safely consumed. This shelf life is provided by the producer and marked on time-limited products. During the shelf life, the manufacturing company is responsible for the product quality meeting relevant standards or explicitly guaranteed quality conditions, sellers can confidently sell these products, and consumers can use them safely.

Before establishing a food's shelf life, objective quality change analysis is needed, including microbial testing, physicochemical testing, and sensory inspection. Microbial indicators are often the most direct factors affecting human health. Coffee beans (ground coffee) have a relatively long shelf life due to their low humidity, which doesn't easily support microbial growth. Generally, coffee in aluminum foil packaging has a shelf life of 12 months, while imported coffee often has a 2-year shelf life.

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted coffee beans are regularly sampled and sent to professional institutions for testing, with a guaranteed shelf life of 12 months.

Important Notice :

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