Knowing how to tell if your coffee beans are fresh can help you enjoy every cup without compromise. Did you know that although you don’t want stale beans, you also don’t want beans that are too fresh?
So, how do you tell if coffee beans are stale? Here, we will explore what is likely to make your beans stale, how you might be able to slow this down, and what you should look for in a coffee supplier to ensure that the beans you are buying always arrive in the condition that best suits your requirements.
Coffee Beans & Carbon Dioxide
When coffee is roasted, it releases carbon dioxide, and after it is roasted, it will continue to release CO2 to varying degrees due to a range of factors. Even during brewing, CO2 will continue to be released. Lighter roasts are less likely to leak CO2 in storage as they remain dense due to the reduced roasting time that has been applied.
This is why coffee beans should be rested before we brew, as this allows them to release CO2, which will result in a more complex and hopefully balanced flavour profile.
Cooling Beans After Roasting
The coffee roaster can also manipulate how much CO2 is released by utilising a cooling tray and a fan straight out of the roaster. However, this is only possible for smaller batch roasting.
For large batches, the thermal mass would require a “quenching” approach, where a fine mist of cold water is applied by the roaster, sometimes more than once, to cool the beans via evaporative cooling.
The more quenching, the more CO2 is released – so this could be used to speed up the “staling” process, to the point where the coffee batches could be put into circulation for brewing more rapidly. Coffee roasting is a delicate science, and the best beans are those which are roasted by highly experienced teams using ethical practices, packaging and storage methods.
Signs That Coffee Beans Are Stale
There are a few visual signs that you can look for to determine if your beans have passed their best:
- Lack of moisture: Your beans may have become brittle and dry as the oil evaporates.
- Too much oil: On the other hand, if your beans are leaking oil, this could also indicate that your beans have gone stale. This is slightly more common with light roast coffee beans, so be on the lookout.
- Dull sheen: You want your beans to have a natural glossy sheen, but they begin to look “matte” as they stale.
- The smell: It might take some practice to master, but you can also tell if a bean has gone stale by the smell. They’ll smell musty and dull, instead of rich and delicious
If you notice these signs, your beans have likely gone past their best. It’s not the end of the world, as you can still technically use them, but odds are the coffee they produce will not be up to standard.
To prevent them from reaching this point too quickly, it’s important to store your beans well. But how do you do that?
How Do You Store Coffee Beans Properly?
Once you’ve purchased your beans, it’s up to you to keep them from releasing too much CO2 before you use them. The roaster’s job was to make sure that they’re ‘stale’ enough to be enjoyed out of the bag, so now it’s your job to store your coffee beans properly to prevent them from going stale too quickly.
To make sure you’re storing your beans properly, you’ll need to look out for a few things:
Light
Light is one of the biggest things that can impact your coffee beans. Fresh beans left in sunlight, especially direct sunlight, often go stale much faster than those stored somewhere dark and cool. This is why we recommend coffee enthusiasts pick up storage containers that aren’t see-through, allowing the beans inside to rest comfortably in the dark.
Temperature
As we said, storing temperature is very important. The warmer the environment, the faster the degassing; however, this will also speed up reactions like oxidation that make your beans stale more rapidly. Store your beans somewhere cool, like the bottom of a cupboard.
Moisture
Many people are tempted to store their coffee beans in the fridge to keep them cool, but this can create an environment too rich with moisture. This leads to beans moulding or mildewing faster, so store them somewhere dry if you can.
These three signs are also excellent ways to pick your coffee beans, whether buying from an online retailer or picking up a pack in the supermarket. Seek out beans stored in dry, cool, dark places with packets that don’t let any light in. Another tip is to look for porous bags, like paper, or bags with a built-in valve.
Now that you know how to store coffee beans properly, you also know what to look for when shopping for your beans. When in doubt, trust a quality coffee retailer to consider your coffee’s best interests.
Always be ready for the day ahead with the Segafredo range.
At Segafredo Zanetti, we supply top-notch coffee beans for espresso lovers to enjoy year-round. Whether you’re a fan of an extra-dark roast or prefer the delicacy of a light roast to sip in the mornings, we have the beans to accommodate you.
Browse our range today, or get in touch with our friendly team to be matched with the perfect variety for your needs.
