Does it matter if my coffee is freshly roasted?

In a word, “yes”!

As with all perishable food, freshness matters, even for coffee.

Just think of that feeling when biting into a fresh crispy apple. Not only does the fresh apple have better texture and taste, but the added benefit is that the fresh apple retains more of its nutritional value. Same goes for other food groups like coffee.

Time = deterioration (just ask my body…)

The same principle applies especially more so to coffee beans given they go through the roasting and grinding process. The beneficial antioxidant compounds, aromatic oils and flavour intensiveness of the coffee beans begin to deteriorate from the time of processing (roasting and then grinding). The longer roasted beans have been stored, the greater this deterioration.

The science behind coffee roasting and freshness

When coffee is roasted, the beans go through a series of chemical changes and release oils and gases.

These oils and gases are responsible for the rich flavour and aroma that we love so much about freshly brewed coffee.

But over time, these same oils and gases will begin to evaporate, leaving the coffee beans less flavorful and aromatic.

So when you buy pre-packaged coffee from the supermarket, you’re not getting the same quality coffee that you would get from a freshly roasted bag.

If you want to experience the best tasting coffee, made with the freshest beans, then you need to buy your coffee from a reputable roaster who can guarantee that their beans are fresh.

Wrap up

Coffee is best enjoyed fresh, and that means buying freshly roasted coffee beans.

If you can’t find freshly roasted coffee beans, the next best thing is to buy whole beans and grind them yourself just before brewing.

This way, you’ll be sure to get the most flavour and aroma out of your coffee beans.