The moment we open the door of the roasting machine here at the roastery, the coffee’s decomposition process begins. Numerous studies have been carried out on this subject and it has been concluded that freshly roasted coffee contains almost a thousand aromas and flavors. Just a few days after roasting, it reaches its absolute peak. What should you think when you buy your coffee from us at White Elk Coffee, because even if you are a big consumer of coffee, you don’t always have time to drink it up so quickly?
Without the elements of sun, wind and water, we would certainly not be able to live. Freshly roasted coffee, on the other hand, would do just fine without the vital elements. You should minimize contact with the following:
Oxygen and air kill all types of food, including coffee. Make sure to reseal your coffee pack as best you can between each use, or pour the coffee into an airtight jar.
Light, whether from the sun or a lamp, also kills the coffee. It breaks down the organic cell structures. If you pour the coffee into a transparent jar, it goes straight into a cupboard.
You can expose your coffee to heat and moisture the moment you brew it, but not a second before. If the coffee is in a hot environment, the molecules move apart – not good. The roasted beans also have their natural moisture environment, which we should not disturb because it really spoils the taste.
So, whether you poured the coffee into an airtight jar or sealed the package, it should not be left hot and humid. This means that the cabinet you use should be in a cooler part of the kitchen, certainly not near the stove. But… fridge or freezer you might be thinking now?
You’re getting a good deal when you buy specialty coffee-grade fresh roasted coffee here on the website. Because you buy 1 kg at a time and that gives you a very attractive price when we also skip all the middlemen.
If there are several people in your household who drink coffee, you will run out within a few weeks and then all will be well. But if you’re going away, or you’re on your own and can’t finish the whole bag in less than a month, you should definitely store the coffee in the freezer.
As heat drives the coffee molecules apart, cold works in the opposite way. The decomposition process is thus slowed down and the coffee retains its aromas and flavors for a longer time. That’s why you keep your coffee in the freezer, but keep the following in mind:
Rule #1 Do not lift back and forth. Because when you do that, condensation inevitably forms. Cold, hot, cold, hot, condensation is thriving. Since condensation is moisture and the enemy of coffee, the quality of the coffee deteriorates faster than if you stored it in a regular kitchen cabinet. Rapid temperature changes also cause the molecules to drift apart even more quickly than they would if you kept the coffee even hot.
The moves from freezer to room temperature are minimized if you repackage the coffee in small portion packs, say weekly consumption or even down to the daily level if you have that patience.
Rule #2 Store airtight in the freezer. Don’t just put the coffee in as it is. A freezer consists of a lot of other densely packed foods and if you place it next to the fish or lasagna, it will take the taste of them. Coffee beans are like mushrooms, that’s why we haven’t dared to repaint the roastery since we moved in over 3 years ago.
Rule #3 Let the coffee come down to room temperature. After removing the coffee, let it rest and thaw to room temperature. The coffee-killing condensation otherwise affects the taste. ATTENTION! This rule requires some planning, so don’t fall on your face now.
Although tempting at times, don’t buy more coffee than you need for the foreseeable future. Nothing beats freshly roasted coffee. Finally, some general tips, just before brewing:
Good luck to you!
Published by Fredrik, 21-04-22
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