How to Age and Bloom Coffee Beans? How Long Should Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans Be Aged?

Coffee beans are not necessarily better when they're freshest, because freshly roasted coffee beans contain large amounts of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide inside coffee beans primarily serves to inhibit the release of flavors.

During storage, the presence of carbon dioxide has a positive effect of preserving flavors well. However, during brewing, carbon dioxide has a negative effect by preventing coffee substances from being extracted.

After roasting, coffee beans contain approximately 2% carbon dioxide by weight, and these large amounts of carbon dioxide continue to be released. When the gas inside coffee beans is too vigorous, meaning they are extremely fresh, it inhibits the release of coffee flavors, which can easily result in poor taste. Additionally, coffee brewed from freshly roasted beans often has a harsh quality (smoky taste), which is also an uncomfortable sensation for drinkers.

What to Do with Coffee Beans That Are Too Fresh?

Actually, the simplest method is to let the beans rest, which means not opening the packaging immediately and letting them sit for a few days. The coffee beans will gradually release gas over time. Typically, starting from the roasting date, letting them rest for about 5-7 days will eliminate the harsh quality of the coffee. As large amounts of gas are released, the aroma emitted by the coffee will also become richer.

FrontStreet Coffee's Approach

FrontStreet Coffee also considers the resting period when roasting and shipping, because some customers are eager to enjoy their coffee beans immediately upon receiving them. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee sends coffee beans roasted within the past 5 days. After 1-2 days of logistics, they arrive to customers just past the resting period and ready to drink immediately.

How to Properly Rest Coffee Beans

If the coffee beans you receive have a roasting date that's too recent, how should you rest them? Many friends will open the coffee bean packaging and pour the beans into carefully prepared sealed containers. FrontStreet Coffee does not recommend doing this, because fresh coffee beans release more gas, and in an airtight container, this can easily cause excessive internal pressure, increasing the danger when opening the container. Additionally, when internal pressure is high, it also inhibits the gas release from coffee beans.

FrontStreet Coffee believes that simply leaving the coffee packaging in its original state in a cool, dry place is sufficient. Coffee packaging bags have one-way degassing valves that can regulate internal pressure while preventing external air from entering.

Blooming vs. Resting Coffee Beans

Next, let's discuss what blooming is all about. In a broad sense, blooming and resting refer to the same thing. In a narrow sense, resting means needing to let the beans sit for a period before use, while blooming refers to taking coffee beans out and exposing them to air for about 4 hours before brewing.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

For more specialty coffee beans, please add the private WeChat account of FrontStreet Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473