Do fresh coffee beans really make a difference?
Most Americans start our day with a cup of coffee. Some depend on it for its caffeine, others simply enjoy its intricate and subtle flavor notes and wonderfully overwhelming aromas. At Mauch Chunk Coffee Company, when we introduce our coffee, we mention that we always roast to order in small batches. The coffee you receive hasn't been sitting on a shelf -- it was roasted specifically for you. But do fresh coffee beans really make a difference?
Absolutely! Ideally, you want freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee. Not only is there an astronomical difference in taste, there's a serious difference in aroma as well. Fresh coffee beans are always better - much like many other things that you enjoy in life. This is one of the reasons it's important to buy your coffee from an independent roaster that roasts your order after it comes in and ships it to you quickly.
Coffee Bean Origins and Flavors
Coffee roasting is actually a very complex, scientific process. There is a lot of applied chemistry that goes into roasting coffee beans in a way that truly accentuates their unique flavor notes. It isn't just "cooking" the beans - it's a dynamic process involving close and continuous temperature monitoring, color analysis, and more, including adjusting for various ever-changing environmental variables, like humidity and pressure.
The taste and quality of a cup of coffee ultimately depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the beans, their origin, the harvesting and processing methods they underwent, how they were shipped and stored, and how they were roasted and packaged. Specialty coffee's incredible flavor notes are present naturally - no additives required - but this delicate property has two crucial prerequisites for experiencing it: freshness and proper roasting.
When you entrust us with your order, you can rest assured you'll be receiving the freshest single origin coffee - roasted to perfection
The Importance of Fresh Coffee Beans
Buying freshly roasted coffee beans and using them as soon as possible is a surefire way to get a cup of coffee that smells and tastes amazing. Over time, they'll lose their flavor and aroma due to exposure to the environment. Coffee is hygroscopic, making it likely to absorb moisture and smells that are in the air around it and sensitive to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Oxidation also degrades coffee beans. For these reasons, coffee should always be stored in a cool (not cold) dry place, away from sunlight, like a cabinet or pantry. Never store it in a refrigerator or freezer!
Conclusion
Always buy fresh coffee beans, store them properly, and, if possible, grind them right before brewing for the best possible experience. In order to preserve the oils and natural flavor notes of specialty coffee, you must consume it fairly quickly after purchase.
When you choose coffee that's roasted to order and invest in a burr grinder for your kitchen, you'll find yourself embraced by an unforgettable aroma and, soon after, enjoying an even more unforgettable taste.
Get started today with one of our sustainably and ethically sourced coffees. Not sure which to choose? Consider our Tour of Central America or our Roaster's Choice. Our ten different craft coffees and the bundles they make up are sure to delight the most discerning coffee drinkers.
Absolutely! Ideally, you want freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee. Not only is there an astronomical difference in taste, there's a serious difference in aroma as well. Fresh coffee beans are always better - much like many other things that you enjoy in life. This is one of the reasons it's important to buy your coffee from an independent roaster that roasts your order after it comes in and ships it to you quickly.
Coffee Bean Origins and Flavors
Coffee roasting is actually a very complex, scientific process. There is a lot of applied chemistry that goes into roasting coffee beans in a way that truly accentuates their unique flavor notes. It isn't just "cooking" the beans - it's a dynamic process involving close and continuous temperature monitoring, color analysis, and more, including adjusting for various ever-changing environmental variables, like humidity and pressure.
The taste and quality of a cup of coffee ultimately depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the beans, their origin, the harvesting and processing methods they underwent, how they were shipped and stored, and how they were roasted and packaged. Specialty coffee's incredible flavor notes are present naturally - no additives required - but this delicate property has two crucial prerequisites for experiencing it: freshness and proper roasting.
When you entrust us with your order, you can rest assured you'll be receiving the freshest single origin coffee - roasted to perfection
The Importance of Fresh Coffee Beans
Buying freshly roasted coffee beans and using them as soon as possible is a surefire way to get a cup of coffee that smells and tastes amazing. Over time, they'll lose their flavor and aroma due to exposure to the environment. Coffee is hygroscopic, making it likely to absorb moisture and smells that are in the air around it and sensitive to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Oxidation also degrades coffee beans. For these reasons, coffee should always be stored in a cool (not cold) dry place, away from sunlight, like a cabinet or pantry. Never store it in a refrigerator or freezer!
Conclusion
Always buy fresh coffee beans, store them properly, and, if possible, grind them right before brewing for the best possible experience. In order to preserve the oils and natural flavor notes of specialty coffee, you must consume it fairly quickly after purchase.
When you choose coffee that's roasted to order and invest in a burr grinder for your kitchen, you'll find yourself embraced by an unforgettable aroma and, soon after, enjoying an even more unforgettable taste.
Get started today with one of our sustainably and ethically sourced coffees. Not sure which to choose? Consider our Tour of Central America or our Roaster's Choice. Our ten different craft coffees and the bundles they make up are sure to delight the most discerning coffee drinkers.
14 comments
I see it’s obvious that coffee should be stored in an airtight container. l’ve not always been careful to do that. It makes sense that the coffee’s flavor would dry up with the exposed beans and it would absorb moisture as well as other odors. Sounds like it’s easy to change the taste of coffee to something ho-hum. Like Folger’s.
Wonderful read. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.