I guess I'm a little spoiled then. There are three roasters which I like and they date their bags. Which leads me to another question...
If I'm decide to freeze beans for later use, should I leave them in the bag with the one-way valve or should I put them into a sealed container? (Especially if the bag hasn't been opened yet, but I haven't gotten around to using it.)
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
and/or the beans are stored, pre-packaged, in paper bags
I've seen this and didn't think much of it. If the roasting date is fairly current on the paper bag, (ie. Within a week) is it still worth it to buy them?
JasonBrandtLewis Said:
you can't complain about freshness when the beans are delivered to your door 48-72 hours after roasting!
Pardon me for asking, but I thought that beans are supposed to sit for a week before using them so they outgas? At least, that's what one roaster told me. Is this correct?
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 463 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Mon Aug 27, 2012, 6:04pm Subject: Re: Off the Shelf Espresso Experimentation
I think after reading one of the FAQ's, I got the answer I was looking for...
qualin Said:
If I'm decide to freeze beans for later use, should I leave them in the bag with the one-way valve or should I put them into a sealed container? (Especially if the bag hasn't been opened yet, but I haven't gotten around to using it.)
The answer is... The coffee beans must go into a sealed container. Ideally, a vacuum packed container, but an airtight container (ie. One with a rubber seal) is good enough because the coffee will outgas and stay preserved.
And many do. It isn't a question of being spoiled, but rather what you have access to, and what you prefer. And while here in the SF Bay area we have lots of roasters, the majority of whom date their bags, by purchasing beans online, I have access to an entire country full of high quality micro-roasters.
qualin Said:
If I'm decide to freeze beans for later use, should I leave them in the bag with the one-way valve or should I put them into a sealed container? (Especially if the bag hasn't been opened yet, but I haven't gotten around to using it.)
I get my coffee shipped in those sealed bags with the one-way gas valve. As I've said, I place my order on Monday, and I usually receive it on Wednesday or Thursday. Typically on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, I will break the bags down into Mason jars that I then freeze. The size of the jars is no more than I will use in 2-3 days. Every time I open a bag, there is a satisfying little pfffffffffffft of gas to assure me the jar was properly sealed and the beans are super-fresh.
qualin Said:
I've seen this and didn't think much of it. If the roasting date is fairly current on the paper bag, (ie. Within a week) is it still worth it to buy them?
My own feeling is that paper (non-airtight, non-sealed) bags make me nervous, but if you are going to use up the coffee within the week (i.e.: so the beans are all gone within 15 days of roasting), it is probably OK . . . .
qualin Said:
Pardon me for asking, but I thought that beans are supposed to sit for a week before using them so they outgas? At least, that's what one roaster told me. Is this correct?
Depends upon the beans, but -- generally speaking -- a week or so is right. This isn't science, it's personal palate preference: I freeze the coffee on the 5th or 6th day, and it works for me.
Joel_B Senior Member Joined: 9 Oct 2007 Posts: 1,823 Location: Pacific NW Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Mega II Grinder: Mazzer SJ, Virtuoso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: nope, french press Roaster: Behmor, WP, BBQ drum
Posted Mon Aug 27, 2012, 8:09pm Subject: Re: Off the Shelf Espresso Experimentation
I'd just like to respond regarding paper bags versus valved bags. Although true a coffee will stale faster n the paper than the valved bag, simply having paper bags wouldn't deter me from frequenting the roaster. Some of the better roasters I have the joy to patron have paper bags. Certainly be aware of the date of roast, but paper bag Aline isn't a reason to shop elsewhere.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,098 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Mon Aug 27, 2012, 9:12pm Subject: Re: Off the Shelf Espresso Experimentation
Joel, I agree that -- in and of itself -- the use of a paper bag is not a reason to, let's say, "go elsewhere." I did not mean to imply that this alone is a deciding factor. That said, when I see paper bags, I can't help but wonder what else is going on that I should take note of . . .
It is just me exercising the proverbial "abundance of caution," but I have -- and no doubt will continue -- to buy beans from roasters who use paper bags.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,314 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Aug 28, 2012, 8:24am Subject: Re: Off the Shelf Espresso Experimentation
Small roasters in the Oregon use paper often and I believe they think it is a better environmental choice. I think they are very good and well respected. Water Ave, Wandering Goat, Noble coffee to name a few I have bought in the last year in paper.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
Oh, boy . . . now we can start wasting bandwidth on the ecological uses of paper v. reusable plastic bags with one-way gas valves!
I'm not engaging, other than to repeat that it's something I take note of and -- for me (as I can only speak for myself) -- gives me a reason to look more closely at the operation. In and of itself, the use of a paper bag does not "automatically disqualify" the roaster in my book, but I'm far more leery of (e.g.) getting my coffee shipped across the country in a paper bag than in a plastic/mylar one.
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