Why Fresh Coffee Beans Are Important.
The Importance of Fresh Coffee Beans: Tips for the Home Barista
As the proud owner of an espresso machine, you know that the quality of your coffee starts with the coffee beans. Fresh beans are essential for the perfect espresso, cappuccino or latte. But why is fresh coffee so important? And how do you ensure that your beans retain their flavour for as long as possible? In this blog, we delve deeper into the world of fresh coffee beans and provide practical tips to improve your coffee experience at home.
1. Fresh coffee = oily coffee
Did you know that the secret to coffee’s rich flavor lies in the fats created during the roasting process? Here’s how it works:
When the coffee beans are roasted, the natural oils are pushed to the surface, which is why you see those beautiful, shiny beans when you open a freshly roasted bag. You can compare this to popcorn: a hard, unappealing corn kernel becomes a fragrant, tasty snack when roasted. The same thing happens with coffee beans.
The fats of the bean are where all the flavors and aromas are stored. But here’s the challenge: after roasting, these fats begin to oxidize due to exposure to air and moisture. After about two months, the fats are gone, along with the flavor you crave.
Tip: Always buy fresh coffee beans and avoid beans that were roasted more than two months ago.
Fresh coffee beans from different countries
2. Store your coffee beans properly
Fresh coffee requires the right storage. If you expose your beans to air, moisture or temperature changes, they will quickly lose their flavour. It is therefore crucial to store your coffee beans in the right way.
Our recommendation:
- Always store coffee beans in an airtight container with a rubber seal.
- Consider a vacuum storage jar. These jars suck all the air and moisture out of the container, which greatly slows down the oxidation of the beans.
By keeping the atmosphere around the beans stable, you can significantly extend their shelf life and quality.
Try our vacuum storage jars , ideal for keeping your beans fresh and tasty!
Barista Essentials Vacuum Storage Canister
3. Pay attention to the roasting date
Roast date is an important indicator of freshness. Many commercial coffees, especially those found in supermarkets, do not have a roast date on the packaging. This is often a red flag, because without a roast date you do not know how old the beans are. They have probably been in storage for months before they hit the shelf.
For the best coffee:
- Buy your beans from smaller roasteries or specialty coffee houses. Here you will get fresh coffee with a clear roasting date.
- Browse our range of high quality coffee beans such as Brazil or Guatemala . These beans are freshly roasted and delivered directly to you.
Why fresh coffee beans improve your coffee experience
When you use fresh coffee beans, you will immediately notice the difference:
- The crema on your espresso is fuller and richer.
- The flavors and aromas are more intense and complex.
- You enjoy coffee as it was intended, without stale or burnt aftertastes.
By investing in fresh beans and proper storage, you will get the most out of your espresso machine.
Coffee cups from Barista Essentials
Ready for better coffee?
In our collection of coffee beans you will find everything you need to take your coffee experience to the next level. From fresh coffee beans with clear roasting dates to vacuum storage jars to keep your beans fresh for longer. Discover our range and taste the difference!
