Resting Roasted Coffee: Optimal Rest Duration
Index
- Introduction
- The Impact of Resting Roasted Coffee Beans on Flavor
- How Long to Rest Fresh Roasted Coffee: Roast Levels and Resting Time
- The Role of Packaging Materials
- The Science of Freshness
- Insights from Coffee Experts
- Conclusion
- References
1. Introduction
Coffee, the world's favorite morning beverage, is a complex concoction of flavors and aromas that can be influenced by a myriad of factors. One such factor that often goes unnoticed is the resting period of roasted coffee beans. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of how resting roasted coffee impacts flavor, the optimal roast levels, and how these factors influence resting time. We will also explore the role of packaging materials in this process.
2. The Impact of Resting Roasted Coffee Beans on Flavor
Resting, or degassing, is the process that occurs after coffee beans have been roasted. During this period, carbon dioxide and other gases that were trapped in the beans during roasting are slowly released. This degassing process significantly impacts the flavor profile of the coffee.
Freshly roasted coffee beans are rich in carbon dioxide, which can interfere with the extraction process, leading to a brew that is acidic and under-extracted. As the beans rest, the carbon dioxide levels decrease, allowing for a more balanced extraction and a fuller, richer flavor profile.
3. How Long to Rest Fresh Roasted Coffee: Roast Levels and Resting Time
The roast level of coffee beans directly impacts the required resting time. Light roasts, which are roasted for a shorter period, contain less carbon dioxide and thus require a shorter resting period, typically around 48 hours.
On the other hand, dark roasts, which are exposed to heat for a longer period, contain more carbon dioxide. Consequently, they require a longer resting period, often up to a week, to allow for sufficient degassing.
However, these are general guidelines, and the optimal resting period can vary depending on the specific coffee variety and roasting method. It's always a good idea to experiment with different resting times to find the sweet spot that brings out the best flavors in your coffee.
4. The Role of Packaging Materials
The packaging material used for storing roasted coffee can significantly impact the resting time and, consequently, the flavor of the coffee. Packaging materials that are completely airtight can slow down the degassing process, potentially leading to an over-extracted brew.
On the other hand, packaging materials that allow for some gas exchange, such as valve-sealed bags, can facilitate the degassing process, leading to a more balanced flavor profile. These bags have a one-way valve that allows carbon dioxide to escape while preventing oxygen, which can degrade the coffee, from entering.
5. The Science of Freshness
In her book "The Craft and Science of Coffee", Britta Folmer discusses the importance of freshness in coffee, which is often associated with coffee that is freshly roasted, ground within a few days, immediately extracted, and consumed. She introduces a freshness index, the ratio of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol, which is suited to assess the evolution of freshness of roasted coffee during storage. This ratio has been shown to increase during storage, and the speed at which this freshness index increases depends on the packaging and storage temperature. This index can be used to assess the freshness of roasted coffee and compare the quality of different packaging materials for preserving the freshness of the coffee inside.
6. Insights from Coffee Experts
James Hoffmann, in his video "Resting Coffee - How Long Should You Wait After Roasting?", recommends resting coffee for about 4-5 days for medium roasts and up to 10 days for very light roasts for filter coffee. For espresso, he recommends about 10 days for light roasts and 2 days for dark roasts.
In "When is the best time to drink coffee after roasting?" by Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, the speaker suggests that the best time to drink coffee after roasting depends on how the coffee is packaged. For coffee that is nitrogen-flushed (which minimizes oxidation), the peak flavor is reached between 1.5 and 2 weeks after roasting and is maintained for up to 8 weeks. For coffee that is not nitrogen-flushed, the peak flavor is reached earlier (around 1.5 weeks) but drops off more quickly.
In "How Long Should Coffee Rest After Roasting?" by Coffee Crafters, the speaker recommends packaging coffee immediately after roasting in bags with a one-way gas valve. This allows the CO2 to push out the oxygen, preserving the coffee's aroma. The speaker suggests that whether coffee is ready to consume on day one or day seven is a personal preference, and advises letting the customer decide when to consume it.
Scott Rao, a renowned coffee expert, has shared his insights on the topic of resting coffee. According to Rao, the need to rest coffee seems to be connected to the strength of the beans' cellulose structure. Lighter roasts have stronger, less brittle, less porous cell structures. While it's not entirely clear what changes during resting, it's likely that some chemical changes occur slowly to affect coffee flavor in a way that makes the coffee seem more developed.
Rao also notes that the optimal resting time depends on the roast level, whether the coffee came from a drum or air roaster, and if from an air roaster, whether the machine was a Loring. For dark, oily roasts, he recommends not resting the coffee for more than a day, as the coffee will likely taste a little rancid within a few days. For coffee from classic-drum roasters, he suggests that it doesn't benefit from more than a day or two of rest, unless the coffee is what he would consider underdeveloped. As for air roasters, he would probably rest the coffee from one to four weeks, depending on development level and whether the coffee came from a Loring.
7. Conclusion
The art of coffee roasting and brewing is a complex process that requires a keen understanding of various factors, including the resting period of roasted coffee. By understanding how resting impacts flavor, the influence of roast levels on resting time, the role of packaging materials, the science of freshness, and insights from coffee experts, you can elevate your coffee experience to new heights. So, the next time you roast a batch of coffee beans, remember to give them the rest they deserve!
8. References:
1. Lens Coffee. (n.d.). Resting Coffee After Roasting. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [Lens Coffee]
2. Bunnett, S. (n.d.). Is Rest Best? How Long Should Coffee Rest After Roasting? Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [Kunjani Craft Coffee]
3. Yeretzian, C., Blank, I., & Wyser, Y. (2017). Protecting the Flavors—Freshness as a Key to Quality. In B. Folmer (Ed.), The Craft and Science of Coffee (pp. 329-353). Academic Press. Retrieved from [ScienceDirect]
4. Hoffmann, J. (n.d.). Resting Coffee - How Long Should You Wait After Roasting? Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [YouTube]
5. Seven Miles Coffee Roasters. (n.d.). When is the best time to drink coffee after roasting? Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [YouTube]
6. Coffee Crafters. (n.d.). How Long Should Coffee Rest After Roasting? Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [YouTube]
7. Rao, S. (n.d.). Resting Roasts: Is Fresher Better? Retrieved June 5, 2023, from [Scott Rao's Blog]
