How do I know if coffee beans are fresh when purchased?

Fresh is important but far from the only criterion in coffee. Some coffees can be great right after roasting. Other beans, on the other hand, need some resting time to come into balance. There are even coffee beans that benefit from resting for several weeks after roasting, just like good wines.

This is not the standard story that many coffee roasters tell you. Our baristas have done numerous trials with Barend with our current range and the changing limiteds. The following comes out of this:

Many coffee beans (especially the 'washed/washed' variety), after being freshly roasted, remain at their optimum quality for a maximum of eight to ten weeks. After that, first of all, the aroma experience of this "washed" coffee decreases. Surprisingly, the taste of the coffee can be great even after those ten weeks.

Many taste tests have shown that the taste of our coffee beans in the special Boot packaging with the 'bean' valve remains very good for up to six months after roasting. This is because it is "specialty" coffee. Resting helps to balance the flavors of our specialty coffee beans even more.

With coffee beans that are produced unwashed using the so-called "honey" or natural methods, the situation is different again. These coffee beans "ripen" even more after roasting in the container and then reach their balance of aroma and flavor by resting. This can be after the second or third week after roasting up to and including the twelfth week after roasting.

Coffee may not eventually spoil, but it may become less intense in aroma and taste. Even after six months after roasting, Boot coffees will still taste good, but will no longer be top notch. After more than six months, they take on a tough and rubbery texture. Fresh beans can easily be broken between your fingernails. The fresh and lively aroma of the coffee beans is easily recognizable. With old coffee, you miss that tremendously.

Buy ground coffee
Coffee loses its aromatic tones once it is ground and is therefore optimal when consumed within two weeks. Even after 2 weeks, the taste of the ground coffee will still be very good, only the smell disappears. As long as the ground coffee remains properly packaged in the Boot packaging, the flavor of the coffee will only slowly diminish. This is because it is "specialty" coffee.

How should I store my coffee?
We recommend that you store the coffee in the original Boot packaging, or in an airtight canister, in a cool and dry place. Press the sealing strip on the Boot 250-gram package tightly shut. Are you using a Boot kilo bag? Then roll the kilo bag up to where the beans are and put a clamp on it. Wash out an airtight canister regularly to remove old odors. Make sure the coffee is not in contact with other foods or moisture, as it absorbs odors quickly.

What if I want to store my coffee longer or buy several packs of coffee?
We always recommend not buying a large quantity of coffee, but coming to our store or other Boot outlets more often. That way you will always have fresh coffee.
If you do want to store coffee for a longer period of time, put it in the freezer. Store coffee packaged in small amounts, so you only take what you need and the rest can stay well packed. Treat your coffee the same way you treat your other fresh foods. After thawing coffee, do not refreeze it again.

Is it a good idea to grind coffee at home?
An excellent idea! The outside of the bean is the best protective shell. When you grind coffee, the beans' natural protective shell is broken down, releasing wonderful aromas. But as mentioned above, with that, aroma and flavor also dissipate very quickly. Therefore, always grind the coffee just before brewing and only the amount you need.

What is the best way to store brewed coffee?
If you want to store freshly brewed filter coffee, do so in a pre-heated, airtight thermos bottle. Definitely do not leave it on a hot plate because of the acids or bitters that are released!

Boot Koffie introduces everyone to wonderful flavors of surprising coffees from around the world. Boot Koffie always has a wonderful international range of organic quality coffees in both espresso and filter roast sold through our web store www.bootkoffie.nl and others. You will also find more tips and ticks about coffee (brewing) on our website. Happiness through taste.

We wish you happiness through taste!