So, you’ve bought your brand new bean to cup coffee machine, you’ve bought some beans at the supermarket, or perhaps online, and now you’re making that first coffee. It’s an exciting time isn’t it? Let’s have a quick talk about something that many people make a mistake with early on in their bean-to-cup career.
Coffee beans are at their best fresh – that’s what makes the fresh coffee taste so incredible compared to a traditional home coffee. The moment you open that packet, the air (or more specifically the moisture in the air) starts to react with the beans and the degradation begins. That’s not to say it all needs to be used immediately – there’s a few things you can do to avoid drinking coffee made from stale beans for weeks to come. First and foremost, don’t buy huge packs of coffee beans unless you make (and perhaps drink) a lot of coffee. It can be tempting to think in terms of getting a bargain, but in my book, buying multiple kilos of beans to save a couple of quid is a false economy. I’d much rather spend a little more and drink fresh coffee – that’s why I bought such a great machine after all (I’ve got the Melitta Caffeo Bistro in case you’re wondering)! So – step one – buy sensibly.
Our second tip is to invest in a good air tight container. New Tupperware style tubs will do – but be sure they’re air tight. As soon as possible after opening the foil wrap on the beans, get them into the tub and shut them away. After filling your bean to cup machine, that is!
Finally, don’t overfill the machine with beans. It’s a common error of judgement – you need plenty in there to make the coffee you need, but it doesn’t need filling to the top every time unless necessary. The automatic machines do usually seal reasonably well, but the containers tend to be much larger than the size of airtight tub you’ll be keeping your beans in which means more air in the machine to affect the bean quality. Try to keep them air tight for as long as possible and you won’t go far wrong!
Fresh beans are not essential, but they do make a big difference to how good your drinks will taste. I can’t imagine why you’d not want to go to the extra effort, after all you’ve spent a few hundred pounds on the coffee maker, why not get the best possible results?