Journal
Coffee freshness and roast dates
Every bag we ship carries its roast date. Here is what that date tells you.
The first days
Freshly roasted coffee releases a lot of gas. Filter coffee brewed on day one can taste uneven. From day two or three it settles.
The best window
Most coffees taste their best between one and four weeks after roasting. Espresso often benefits from waiting a week.
After a month
Coffee does not go bad, but it loses aroma. If you buy every two weeks you will rarely notice a decline.
Notes from the roastery
Every recipe on this journal is tested at the roastery before we publish it. We brew it with at least two coffees, one light and one darker, and we change one variable at a time. If a step does not make a difference you can taste, we leave it out. Coffee should be simple to make well at home.
Three habits matter more than any gadget: weigh your coffee and water, grind just before brewing, and use fresh beans with a roast date on the bag. Get those right and most recipes will taste good on the first try.
Coffees to try
- Burundi Kayanza: red currant, rose, honey
- Indonesia Sumatra: cedar, dark chocolate, clove
- Panama Boquete: lime, honey, white tea
Every bag carries its roast date. Most coffees taste their best between one and four weeks after roasting. Keep the bag closed, squeeze out the air, and store it in a cupboard away from the oven. If you buy more than you can drink in a month, freeze single doses in sealed bags and grind them straight from the freezer.