Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 11:15am Subject: freshness of green beans
Hi. Newbi talking here. This Saturday a got an order from what it looks like a large vendor of green beans. In the past I had order a 'sampler pack' from another vendor. But these new beans had all a strong smell of chocolate. I would think that only one type of beans would had it but they all had a strong smell. This morning I had brasil panema light roasted and it was great, smooth and delicate, and I could taste some of that smell from the bag. My question is this? Is the smell of 'chocolate' an indication of freshness? TX
Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 11:58am Subject: Re: freshness of green beans
The smell of chocolate punches you in the face even before opening the bag. If you stick your nose in the bag (green unroasted beans) it is ver strong. that's how strong the smell is when compare with other vendor with same bean by region
SL28ave Senior Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 769 Location: Rockville, MD Expertise: I live coffee
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Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 12:18pm Subject: Re: freshness of green beans
I think even many experts have a hard time with the word "chocolate", because it can mean many different smells.
If there is any woody smell, they're not fresh.
Look at some of the pictures posted here: click here Does that help at all? If there is any slight brown or yellow to the beans (not including the skin), then that part of the bean isn't fresh. Whether or not some people like the flavor is a different story.
Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 12:37pm Subject: Re: freshness of green beans
yeah I already tried the ethiopian harrar. Those beans don't do anything for me. They are green (all my green beans look the same and I have over 20 different bags from the world to compare) but when you roast the ethiopians they usually don't roast equal. Some come out darker than others and you can see that. The smell of chocolate I am talking about is more like cocoa. I wouldn't call it is sweet, but it is definatly chocolate like. Whne you roast them it also smells like that. Maybe this vendor is smoking the green beans in chocolate. I don't know. It didn't taste sweet and the flavor vanishises quickly. As oposed to darker roasted coffee I've had in the past. The smell is not woody, except maybe a little from the beans from Sumatra. The smell of the beans from Sumatra is different but with small chocolate tones aswell. Other beans with chocolate smell came from Panama and two more I forgot. By the way, I think I made a typo. I think the beans are called brasil ipanema
Yeah, that makes a big difference, and also makes it easier to answer.
Chances are that the Ipanema was harvested Autumn of last year, and Brazils age very fast, so I wouldn't consider it fresh by any means. Also, some of the smell you're getting has to do with the processing rather than freshness.
*Or*, you got a very super early shipment from this year's harvest, and the strong chocolate is because it's so fresh.
All I know about chocolate is that it's a drug very different than coffee, and I want a bit right now.
Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 1:09pm Subject: Re: freshness of green beans
But Brazil now is starting summer, finishing spring. I would think they pick coffee beans in spring. but again, I have no clue. If I freeze the beans, will they keep the semll? I have so many beans now that I don't know what to go for. I don't like the sound of aging. I also have a mill for flour. And I like more fresh flour. Actually, my patern in the morning is this. I roast coffee and in the meantime I grind fresh wheat flour witha handcrank mill. Freshness makes a difference. If you like chocolate, try one day 'abuelita' brand (thick mexican) hot chocolate.
I've been wanting to get a flour mill. I saw wheat berries at Whole Foods, if that's even what you put through the mill, and who can guarantee the wheat berries are fresh? I put my whole wheat flour in the freezer.
arpi Said:
If you like chocolate, try one day 'abuelita' brand (thick mexican) hot chocolate.
Posted Sun Oct 12, 2008, 3:37pm Subject: Re: freshness of green beans
TX for the help. I heard somewhere that wheat (grass) will stay fresh for ten years as long as it is not milled. I keep mine for about one month and then go buy more locally. For coffee I heard it is something like one or two years but I didn't know that some beans age sooner han others, like here inn this case. I read about freezing roasted coffee but not green beans :) The selection of green beans I got is for testing flavors and discovering what I like. The flavor stuff is very subjective and full of surprises and I like to make my own judments. There are so many variables in coffe that it is ridiculous. Bean type, harvest time, bean processing, age, roast method, roast level, grind, technique, machines, duration of ..., etc. Looks like this is a lot more sophisticated than for flour. If you ever get a mill for flour remember that you will only be able to get 'whole wheat'. Fresh milled flour smells very nutty and earthy. I tried to grind coffee in the mill and it works very well but it is a pain to switch back and forth
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