We are frequently asked about proper coffee storage, so here is Dave’s advice on keeping coffee fresh.
In a nutshell: first, begin with fresh roasted coffee; and second, protect the coffee from heat and oxygen as much as possible to preserve its natural oils and flavor. Fresh roasted beans are, of course, the first and most critical step. Stay away from a product that has been sitting on a shelf for months! At Vista Clara, we roast to order, then pack whole beans (or ground coffee upon request) in a sealed bag with a one-way degassing valve. The coffee will gas off for at least 48 hours after roasting, so this one-way valve allows coffee gas and any excess oxygen in the bag to escape, while keeping the outside air from getting into the bag. Since coffee beans have a lot of natural oil, heat is the enemy. Keeping coffee in a cool, dark place helps maintain those fresh qualities. Therefore, our opinion is that refrigerating or freezing does indeed help keep the coffee fresh if you’re storing for long periods of time (we’d say more than a month). Coffee doesn’t freeze solid, so you can use it immediately after pulling from the fridge or freezer. Once opened, it’s best not to return the bag to the fridge. This is our recommendation for most brewing methods. However, where espresso is concerned, the elements of a good extraction, and in this case the grind of the coffee, is so critical that storing a bag in very cold temperatures could affect the humidity of the coffee, and may result in a poorer quality espresso shot. Simply put, it’s always best to get fresh coffee when possible and store for short periods of time in a cool, dark place. For long periods of time, put the unopened bag in the freezer until ready to use. Do you have more technical coffee questions for Dave? Send us an email! ([email protected]) Happy New Year! Grind matters a lot. The proper grind allows you to maximize your yield, or cups per pound, from your coffee.
We personally prefer brewing methods that allow for a finer grind and thus more flavor and cups per pound. Some examples of this are AeroPress, espresso machines, or one of our favorites: a pour-over with the Melitta cone filter. This brewing method will yield 80 cups to the pound! Our in-house grinders are precision Swiss-made grinders with burrs made of hardended steel. They allow the best grind possible. For home grinding, the key is a grinder with precision capabilities to get the proper fine grind for your brewer. If your grind is too coarse, you lose a lot of flavor, so you’ll have to compensate by using more coffee to get the right strength. We have experimented and taste tested different grinds with many coffee systems to determine the optimal grind for each. Whether you prefer to grind your own coffee by the cup or have us prepare it for you, we’re happy to share our expertise and help you fine tune your process to get a consistently awesome cup of coffee! Note* The scale for the above infographic (3-8) is based off from our coffee grinders at the roastery. Each one is unique and handmade by Krishna Nepali and his family. All of our proceeds go back to the Rescue Training and Development Center and Krishna's family. About Krishna: he makes these colorful bags on his treadle sewing machine and sells them to support his family in Kathmandu, Nepal. About RDTC: a non-profit organization in Kathmandu which "teaches women to sew and run a tailoring business so they can become self dependent and empowered. Our students are unprivileged, poor and low caste. Some are also widowed, conflict affected, divorced, bonded labor, disabled, deaf, dumb, and orphaned. Our students also learn healthy nutrition, healthcare, cooking, knitting, bead work, time management, public speaking, Bible study, leadership, and many other valuable skills and character qualities." Quote from RDTC website - click link to learn more about the program. Stop by the factory today to browse our selection!
Happy Tuesday! Vista Clara |
Our StoryFreshly roasted coffee isn't just a product we offer. It's an experience we want to share with you. And with every great experience, there comes a story. This is our story and we invite you to be a part of it. Archives
July 2018
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Contact Information[email protected]
(206) 954-1452 Roastery & Retail LocationVista Clara Coffee
1822 Bickford Ave, Ste A Snohomish, WA 98290 |