Post by M.R. Hagerty on Jan 28, 2023 19:25:14 GMT -7
Three Forms in Which Coffee is Sold
Green Coffee Beans. The freshest form in which coffee can be acquired is “in the green,” which refers to green coffee beans extracted from the fruit pods of coffee bean plants. There are suppliers of green coffee plentiful on the internet (see Sources), but consumers should understand this requires that you have a roaster.
Fresh Roasted. Some commercial suppliers offer bean versions of their brands (Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Peet’s). This form of coffee is closest to home roasted, depending on the date of roasting by the supplier. In-store coffee beans are usually many weeks beyond roasting (see Rule of the Fifteens). Still, this is far better than commercial ground. Some local vendors may release their coffee within days of roasting. Bean coffee assumes you have a good grinder. It’s best to grind just before brewing. Grinding large amounts ahead of time will reduce coffee to the same quality as commercial ground.
Note: Coffee roasted at home is thought to be the absolute best just after roasting is complete. This is a misconception. After coffee is roasted it needs to rest several days in a canister with a one-way valve, to let CO2 escape. During this "de-gassing" period, roasted coffee would be objectionable to taste.
Commercial Ground. This form is what most folks have been used to at the grocery store. Large suppliers provide vacuum-sealed cans. These can provide good coffee when first opened, but deteriorate rapidly, which gives advantage to bean coffees.
The Rule of the Fifteens – When Coffee Flavor Falls Off
The Rule of the Fifteens is an observation from many applications and uses. It’s a guide to when coffee will go stale (or fall off from its freshest and most optimum taste). However, for folks who will drink coffee no matter what the taste, the Rule of the Fifteens may not be worth the trouble.
Roasted Coffee - beans are optimum for the first fifteen days, after which taste falls off noticeably.
Ground Coffee - grounds stays optimum for fifteen minutes, after which taste deteriorates.
Green Coffee Beans. The freshest form in which coffee can be acquired is “in the green,” which refers to green coffee beans extracted from the fruit pods of coffee bean plants. There are suppliers of green coffee plentiful on the internet (see Sources), but consumers should understand this requires that you have a roaster.
Fresh Roasted. Some commercial suppliers offer bean versions of their brands (Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Peet’s). This form of coffee is closest to home roasted, depending on the date of roasting by the supplier. In-store coffee beans are usually many weeks beyond roasting (see Rule of the Fifteens). Still, this is far better than commercial ground. Some local vendors may release their coffee within days of roasting. Bean coffee assumes you have a good grinder. It’s best to grind just before brewing. Grinding large amounts ahead of time will reduce coffee to the same quality as commercial ground.
Note: Coffee roasted at home is thought to be the absolute best just after roasting is complete. This is a misconception. After coffee is roasted it needs to rest several days in a canister with a one-way valve, to let CO2 escape. During this "de-gassing" period, roasted coffee would be objectionable to taste.
Commercial Ground. This form is what most folks have been used to at the grocery store. Large suppliers provide vacuum-sealed cans. These can provide good coffee when first opened, but deteriorate rapidly, which gives advantage to bean coffees.
The Rule of the Fifteens – When Coffee Flavor Falls Off
The Rule of the Fifteens is an observation from many applications and uses. It’s a guide to when coffee will go stale (or fall off from its freshest and most optimum taste). However, for folks who will drink coffee no matter what the taste, the Rule of the Fifteens may not be worth the trouble.
Roasted Coffee - beans are optimum for the first fifteen days, after which taste falls off noticeably.
Ground Coffee - grounds stays optimum for fifteen minutes, after which taste deteriorates.