Roasting 101 | 7. Storing Coffee After Roasting

Today, we will continue our journey exploring the art and science behind coffee roasting. In this eighth chapter, we will learn about how to store coffee after roasting to ensure the quality and flavor of the coffee are maintained over time.

1. Quickly Cooling Coffee Beans:

After roasting, quickly cooling the coffee beans is crucial to stop the roasting process due to residual heat.

- Cooling Process:

  . Cooling Method: Use fans or specialized cooling systems to rapidly reduce the temperature of the coffee beans.

  . Goal: Bring the temperature of the coffee beans down to a safe level to prevent further roasting and preserve the flavor.

2. Airtight Packaging:

Airtight packaging helps protect roasted coffee from moisture, air, and light, preserving its flavor and aroma.

- One-way Valve Zip Bags:

  . Advantages: The one-way valve allows CO2 to escape from the roasted coffee while preventing air and moisture from entering.

  . Usage: Ensure the bag is sealed tightly after pouring the coffee beans in and store the bag in a cool, dry place.

3. Storing in a Cool, Dry Place:

Place containers or bags of coffee beans in a dark and cool location to avoid direct sunlight and high temperatures that can damage the coffee beans.

- Ideal Temperature: Store roasted coffee at room temperature, avoiding high temperatures and humidity.

- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Light can quickly degrade the flavor of coffee beans. Store coffee in a dark place or in light-resistant containers.

Note: Roasted coffee beans will gradually lose their flavor over time, so it's best to buy and roast coffee in moderate quantities to ensure it is used within this period.

4. Advanced Storage Methods:

In addition to airtight packaging and storing in a cool, dry place, there are some advanced methods to store roasted coffee.

   a. Vacuum Sealing:

      - Advantages: Vacuum sealing removes air from the packaging, preventing oxidation and extending shelf life.

      - How to Do It: Use a vacuum sealer to pack the coffee beans after roasting.

   b. Nitrogen Flushing:

      - Advantages: Replacing the air in the packaging with nitrogen helps prevent oxidation and preserves flavor for a longer time.

      - How to Do It: Use specialized packaging machines to replace the air with nitrogen in the packaging.

5. Coffee degassing

- Lighter Roasts: Slower Degassing: Lighter roasts degas at a slower rate and take the longest time to release carbon dioxide. This slower degassing is due to the structure of the bean, which remains more intact and less porous compared to darker roasts. The minimal cracking in the lighter roasts limits the escape pathways for the carbon dioxide, resulting in a prolonged degassing period.

- Darker Roasts: Faster Degassing: Darker roasts degas at a much faster rate. The darker the roast, the quicker the degassing process. This is because the roasting process creates more cracks and fractures in the beans, making them more porous. These cracks provide multiple escape routes for the trapped carbon dioxide, facilitating a faster release. The increased porosity of darker roasts significantly speeds up the degassing phase.

We have explored various methods to store coffee after roasting to ensure the quality and flavor of the coffee are maintained over time. Proper storage not only helps maintain excellent flavor but also extends the shelf life of roasted coffee beans.

Stay tuned for the next chapters to learn more tips to improve your roasting technique and how to combine roasting parameters to create the best coffee. Thank you for listening, and see you in the next iO Coffee podcast.

Knowledge Reinforcement Questions

1. Why is quickly cooling coffee beans after roasting important?

   - a) To stop the roasting process

   - b) To keep the beans warm

   - c) To increase the temperature of the beans

   - d) To dry the beans

2. What is an effective method to cool coffee beans after roasting?

   - a) Using fans or specialized cooling systems

   - b) Using a microwave

   - c) Letting them cool naturally

   - d) Placing them in the refrigerator

3. What is the advantage of one-way valve zip bags?

   - a) Releasing CO2 from the coffee beans

   - b) Allowing air to enter

   - c) Retaining moisture inside the bag

   - d) Preventing CO2 from escaping

4. Why should direct sunlight be avoided when storing roasted coffee?

   - a) To prevent the beans from losing flavor

   - b) To maintain the color of the beans

   - c) To dry the beans

   - d) To warm the beans

5. Where should roasted coffee be stored to maintain its flavor?

   - a) In a dark and cool place

   - b) In a place with strong light

   - c) In a high humidity place

   - d) In a high temperature place