Bagging/storing roasted beans....

[Pangi]

It's a given that oxygen poses the greatest threat to bean freshness post roast right?

Why is it then that a number of reputable roasters bag their beans in paper bags that don't offer a impenetrable/sealed barrier, or a one way valve for carbon dioxide release?

I'm talking in general terms here for the sake of the aforementioned roasters, but what is the ideal bag for roasted beans? In my mind it should be a poly constructed bag that offers a decent barrier, a one way valve and a heat sealed opening. Something like this http://www.stockbagdepot.com/stand-up-pouches/poly-foil/12-oz-gold....

Love to hear what others think and what you use.

[Joseph Robertson]

I am totally on the same page with you with your last comment. When it comes to the "ideal bag for roasted beans" though, I find that it is totally dependent on what the customer is going to do with it. If it is going to be used up with in a few days the container ,(paper or what ever) won't matter too much. I know of a few who go to the (extreme in my mind) of vacuum packing and freezing roasted beans. Ya, I guess this slow most decay wayyyyyy down. Coffee for me is best consumed as soon as possible in fact this my be my new motto or part of my commercial label on my bags. "Please do not store this coffee more than 5 days."
And especially do not refrigerate or freeze this. Cold storage is another topic all together.
Thanks Pangi for the lively discussion....
Joe

[Joseph Robertson]

Stale taste is a many splendid thing. In my experience an espresso roast will improve from 2 to 10 days out depending on the roast and bean used. My question is about this rest phase. If you know it improves as it sits or rests, should it sit or rest in a paper bag, jar, foil bag, spro grinder hopper? How does the resting vessel affect this "taste improvement that is known to take place?"
Questions, so many coffee questions I have...
Joe

[Pangi]

Hey Joseph,
I have more to add but it's late. Incidentally, where do I get the apparatus that will flush with nitrogen, or remove the O2 from the bag? any ideas?

[Joseph Robertson]

Pangi,
I don't know of this unit. I'm sure they exist but have not seen one in use or run into another commercial operation that is using one. I hope you have a consider amount of spare change. I have heard these systems are expensive and designed for high volumn commercial applications. We depend on sealing in foil bags with a one way valve within 15min. of cooling to use the natural gassing of Co2 to push out the 02 and create an envelope of C02 for protection. I can tell when it is working well. Our foil bags on the shelves are puffed up with C02. I'm sure you have seen them on shelves. At least I hope you have. It's a good indicator of the seal.
Cheers,
Joe