Coffee nerds I require your assistance

[ManBearPig]

dfdfsd

 

[MixMasterTang]

You need to buy only what you would use in a week if you're worried about getting the best taste out of the beans.

http://www.luxist.com/2010/02/21/why-you-should-never-freeze-coffee-and-other-freshness-tips/

 

[ManBearPig]

deleted

 

[lxskllr]

I've never frozen coffee. I keep it in an airtight container, and remove enough for each brew. It gets stored at room temperature. I like the newer bags that have a one way valve so you can purge air. That's enough to keep coffee fresh as long as you consume it in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[preslove]

Unless they are freshly roasted, there's no point in doing anything special to store them.

 

[blackangst1]

Do NOT freeze the beans. Presumably they come in a bag with a one way air valve as Ixskllr mentioned. Roll up the bag tight and store them at room temp in a dry cupboard.

 

[tranceport]

Preslove is correct. If you are lucky enough to have a good source for freshly roasted beans then read on!

What I am about to say comes from hours of research on coffeegeek.com and other various sites and forums. I wanted to have amazing espresso drinks in my home for myself and my guests. I started with a Gaggia Classic and a Vario Baratza grinder. Adapt this information as required. Keep in mind this information is now backed by over a year worth of trial, error, sinkshots, and finally consistent amazing coffee.

Buy enough coffee to last you no longer than a couple of months. For me this is about 2 pounds. This should be freshly roasted upon your order of the coffee. Supermarket coffee etc is typically old and does not have sufficient oil left in it to produce the desired crema. I freeze the entire resealable bag.

When I want coffee I scope out the frozen beans required and sit them on the lid of my coffee grinder. I turn on my espresso machine and ensure I have sufficient fresh water in it. Every day or two I wash the water reservoir so that it does not get slimy. I allow the porta filter to warm up and I warm up my coffee mug and shot cup if I am making a capaccinio or latte. If just espresso then the espresso cup can be sufficiently warmed using the warmer at the top of the machine.

The beans defrost quickly in open air. The aroma that fills the air from them is refreshing and eye opening. Even my 4 and 6 year old son's ask to smell them. I use the lid of the grinder to pour them into the hopper. Within 15 seconds they are tampered and the espresso shot is pulled.

At the top of the cup a rich and thick crema is present weeks and weeks after I originally purchased the coffee.

If you need a good source of freshly roasted beans just let me know.

 

[Anubis]

Buy enough coffee to last you no longer than a couple of months. For me this is about 2 pounds.

fuck me i wish 2 pounds would last a couple months, it doesn't even last 2 weeks for me

 

[KillerCharlie]

Hmmm, I never thought of freezing it. I usually buy Tully's from the grocery store which is relatively fresh since it's local. The beans are super oily when I first open the bag and the first cup is always amazing. A bag last me two weeks - by the end of that second week I usually throw the remainder of the bag away because the quality decreases so much.

 

[tranceport]

Anubis -- I rarely have time to make it at home.. only weekends and some nights.

Work supplies most of my coffee.

 

[ManBearPig]

deleted

 

[mrrman]

Do NOT freeze the beans. Presumably they come in a bag with a one way air valve as Ixskllr mentioned. Roll up the bag tight and store them at room temp in a dry cupboard.

Ditto,

I buy coffee in 5 lbs bags at a time and use the above method. Coffee taste great months down the road.

 

[crownjules]

Don't freeze the beans. Put them in an airtight container (don't think the bags qualify once they're opened) and store them somewhere dark and cool.

 

[drebo]

I'm not sure what's worse...coffee snobs or beer snobs...

 

[TechBoyJK]

you mean coffee junkies? you guys are as bad as crack heads

 

[Leros]

I put my coffee into an airtight container and keep in a dark cupboard. I don't store any beans in my grinder's hopper.

 

[Ksyder]

I've started freezing my coffee beans and so far it has worked out well based on this-

http://www.home-barista.com/store-coffee-in-freezer.html

I also, like Tranceport, have invested hours and lots of money on espresso machines and grinders. I also buy green coffee and roast it myself. I currently roast about 2 pounds at a time and then it goes right into mason jars and into the deep freeze. When I need another 1/2 lb. of coffee I pull one out, or right from the freezer and into the grinder. No difference.

However, there would be no point in freezing already stale coffee from the supermarket. It is unfortunate that coffee freshness isn't emphasized more, but there is no requirement for fresh coffee. Large coffee companies and stores have nothing to gain by promoting coffee freshness as it sits on the shelf for long periods of time until they can finally sell it. Also brands like Folgers use inferior robusta beans in their blends which is cheaper.

I kind of look at coffee freshness (time since roast) sort of how I look at fresh vs. frozen or canned vegetables. They both do the job, but one is better than the other given the right preparation.