Every coffee lover's enemy: stale coffee. Of course, we try our best to avoid it, but sometimes we still let our favorite beverage sit in the cupboard for too long. That's why we've put together a few tips on how to recognize stale coffee and how to avoid it! Enjoy reading.
Old coffee - here's how to recognize it:
1. Change in the appearance of the beans
Freshly roasted coffee beans have a uniform, sometimes slightly glossy surface and are very consistent in color. Older beans, on the other hand, become increasingly dull and dry, sometimes even cracking and breaking. If you notice this and other criteria from our list apply, then your coffee is most likely old.
2. Loss of aromatic odor
When you open the package, you should be enveloped by an intense, delicious aroma of coffee. If this is absent, or if you're met with musty smells, then unfortunately the coffee is no longer fresh.
3. Quality of the coffee grounds
Stale coffee tends to clump and look dusty. Freshly ground coffee is light and fluffy.
4. Changes in taste
The aromas of freshly brewed coffee should be full-bodied and complex. Stale coffee, on the other hand, tastes bitter, bland, or even rancid. In that case, quickly discard the cup and buy fresh coffee!
5. Expiry date
It seems logical at first, but with coffee, you really should pay close attention to the expiration date. It simply loses its aromas and doesn't taste good a year after the roasting date. Depending on the coffee variety, roasting method, and recommendations, coffee should be consumed within 2 weeks to 4 months of the roasting date for the best possible flavor! Ask your trusted roaster; this is the best way to avoid going stale coffee.
Tips for dealing with stale coffee - How to avoid it!
To ensure your favorite coffee lasts a long time, here are 4 tips on how to store your coffee correctly:
Buy small quantities
Of course, a great deal can be very tempting, but if you don't drink coffee regularly, your bargain risks going bad. Therefore, it's better to buy small quantities of high-quality coffee and consume it quickly.
Seal airtight
Ideally, you should leave your high-quality coffee in the packaging it comes in and only take out the amount you need. Good packaging can be identified by a valve – a valve that releases CO2 but prevents O2 from entering the package. The reason for this is that coffee reacts with oxygen, and the oils become rancid after a certain time.
Store in a cool, dark place
We definitely don't mean the refrigerator – beware of moisture! A cupboard or shelf in the kitchen, not in direct sunlight, is perfectly sufficient. Light and heat cause coffee to age and spoil prematurely.
Grind your own beans
Freshly ground beans not only taste better, they are also easier to store and keep for longer. To avoid stale coffee, you should therefore buy whole beans and invest in a good grinder.
Conclusion:
Aroma, taste, and appearance change significantly, and stale coffee is hard to miss. With our tips, you can easily identify it and avoid it altogether through proper storage and use. Stale coffee can quickly ruin your day, so make sure you get the best taste experience from your favorite coffee and enjoy it fresh – after all, coffee is a consumable.
Have you ever had old coffee at home?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Stale coffee - How to recognize it and tips on how to avoid stale coffee!
Every coffee lover's enemy: stale coffee. Of course, we try our best to avoid it, but sometimes we still let our favorite beverage sit in the cupboard for too long. That's why we've put together a few tips on how to recognize stale coffee and how to avoid it! Enjoy reading.
Old coffee - here's how to recognize it:
1. Change in the appearance of the beans
Freshly roasted coffee beans have a uniform, sometimes slightly glossy surface and are very consistent in color. Older beans, on the other hand, become increasingly dull and dry, sometimes even cracking and breaking. If you notice this and other criteria from our list apply, then your coffee is most likely old.
2. Loss of aromatic odor
When you open the package, you should be enveloped by an intense, delicious aroma of coffee. If this is absent, or if you're met with musty smells, then unfortunately the coffee is no longer fresh.
3. Quality of the coffee grounds
Stale coffee tends to clump and look dusty. Freshly ground coffee is light and fluffy.
4. Changes in taste
The aromas of freshly brewed coffee should be full-bodied and complex. Stale coffee, on the other hand, tastes bitter, bland, or even rancid. In that case, quickly discard the cup and buy fresh coffee!
5. Expiry date
It seems logical at first, but with coffee, you really should pay close attention to the expiration date. It simply loses its aromas and doesn't taste good a year after the roasting date. Depending on the coffee variety, roasting method, and recommendations, coffee should be consumed within 2 weeks to 4 months of the roasting date for the best possible flavor! Ask your trusted roaster; this is the best way to avoid going stale coffee.
Tips for dealing with stale coffee - How to avoid it!
To ensure your favorite coffee lasts a long time, here are 4 tips on how to store your coffee correctly:
Buy small quantities
Of course, a great deal can be very tempting, but if you don't drink coffee regularly, your bargain risks going bad. Therefore, it's better to buy small quantities of high-quality coffee and consume it quickly.
Seal airtight
Ideally, you should leave your high-quality coffee in the packaging it comes in and only take out the amount you need. Good packaging can be identified by a valve – a valve that releases CO2 but prevents O2 from entering the package. The reason for this is that coffee reacts with oxygen, and the oils become rancid after a certain time.
Store in a cool, dark place
We definitely don't mean the refrigerator – beware of moisture! A cupboard or shelf in the kitchen, not in direct sunlight, is perfectly sufficient. Light and heat cause coffee to age and spoil prematurely.
Grind your own beans
Freshly ground beans not only taste better, they are also easier to store and keep for longer. To avoid stale coffee, you should therefore buy whole beans and invest in a good grinder.
Conclusion:
Aroma, taste, and appearance change significantly, and stale coffee is hard to miss. With our tips, you can easily identify it and avoid it altogether through proper storage and use. Stale coffee can quickly ruin your day, so make sure you get the best taste experience from your favorite coffee and enjoy it fresh – after all, coffee is a consumable.
Have you ever had old coffee at home?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team