jueves, 12 de abril de 2018

Does Coffee Go Bad?

Here's one of the secrets to keeping your coffee fresh for a longer period.

As you probably already know, coffee goes through many processes and during them its properties and substances are transformed. Its quality has to do with many procedures that are carried out at the production stage, which includes harvesting the cherries, roasting the seeds and packaging the coffee within a bag of specific material. In the end, all these steps seek to ensure that the coffee, its taste, and aroma can last longer, which may lead you to ask yourself the following question: does the coffee really go bad?

Does Coffee Go Bad?

The reality is that, like any other product with an expiration date, coffee can “go bad.” However, this fact is conceived differently in the world of coffee. Clearly, any product that’s not hermetically sealed and is exposed to very specific moisture conditions may have fungus or mold. But when it comes to bad coffee, it’s not about rottenness.

In general, if the coffee is stored correctly, the fungus will not be a problem. The real question about the coffee duration is: is it possible that this product can be stored “for a lifetime”? Unfortunately, the answer is no. In the end, coffee does go bad, but not like other foods. Over time the coffee may become stale due to factors such as temperature and humidity, but it’s mainly due to oxidation.

As mentioned in the article “Why You Should Care About Roasting Date,” oxidation is the process by which the coffee bean comes into contact with oxygen. This element can degrade the components of the coffee, generating a product not suitable for coffee lovers.

How to tell if your coffee has gone bad

One detail you can’t overlook is the fact that the expiration date won’t really determine whether the coffee is stale or not. You could say that the best resource in these cases is the senses. One of the best ways to detect if your coffee isn't as fresh as you thought it would be, is through its aroma. If you can’t perceive a strong coffee smell when you open the bag, the product probably can no longer be consumed.

The taste will also be an important element in identifying stale coffee. If you are a coffee lover and know the quality of your favorite coffee, you will be able to identify elements that are not typical of the product. Stale coffee usually has a dull and an unpleasant taste.

How to make coffee last longer?

The secret behind coffee duration lies in the type of the coffee you purchase: bean or ground. If you store the coffee in a dry, dark, cool place and in an airtight container, it will last much longer. In this way, ground coffee can maintain its properties for a couple of months after its expiration date, and coffee beans can be consumed up to nine months after expiration.

Clearly, the best thing you can do to prevent a coffee from going bad is to consume it as fresh as possible, which is why it is important to try to locate the roasting date of each bag you buy. The closer you get to that date, the more likely you are to enjoy its good taste and properties.

The coffee industry is a world full of secrets and a lot of science. Only experts such as That Coffee Roasters know all the information needed to produce quality coffee. So what are you waiting for? Follow us through our social networks and get to know more about coffee products and all the processes you need to follow to improve your coffee experience!