Making coffee from roasted beans

[Vyse]

I was tempted to by one of those bean to cup machines but they seem expensive and they can break at anytime.

So instead I opted to go down the cheaper bean route using a coffee grinder and a moka pot.

But either method involves the storage of the roasted beans some how. I can probably go through a 227g bag of beans in maybe 2/3 weeks (I know not very quick). So what are my best option of keeping the beans in the best shape possible?

[Sheets Tabuer]

I keep mine in the freezer.

[AlasdairMc]

Keep them in a cool, dry place. I've heard that storage in the freezer or fridge builds condensation on the beans - this was according to Pact.

[sherman]

As long as you only grind what you need each day keeping the whole beans in a cool dry place is fine.

[Tickle]

sherman said:

As long as you only grind what you need each day keeping the whole beans in a cool dry place is fine.

Yep, only grind what you need. I find an aeropress the best contraption for the actual brewing too.

[Blown2CV]

I am sure this will piss many "coffee fanatics" off, but IMHO any expensive coffee machine is an utter waste of money and effort, and it's missing the point. You don't need expensive equipment; you need good beans. Great quality artisan-roasted beans and a cheapo aeropress give excellent results. £1000 gaggia and stty lavazza beans and you'll get a st result. You may get a slightly improved result with an expensive machine, but the far far bigger difference is the type of beans used.

[sherman]

Blown2CV said:

I am sure this will piss many "coffee fanatics" off, but IMHO any expensive coffee machine is an utter waste of money and effort, and it's missing the point. You don't need expensive equipment; you need good beans. Great quality artisan-roasted beans and a cheapo aeropress give excellent results. £1000 gaggia and stty lavazza beans and you'll get a st result. You may get a slightly improved result with an expensive machine, but the far far bigger difference is the type of beans used.

Very true. The results will be bad if you use bad beans but you will get a superior coffee out of a proper machine as it can use a higher pressure and who doesnt like a fancy toy with a load of buttons and options.

[tumble dryer]

Light
Air
Heat

If you want your (very recently roasted) coffee beans to give the best of flavour, avoid all of the above.

Keep your beans as airtight as possible, in a dark place and cool. NOT refrigerated and definitely not frozen – they should be at room temperature when ground.

[uncinqsix]

Blown2CV said:

I am sure this will piss many "coffee fanatics" off, but IMHO any expensive coffee machine is an utter waste of money and effort, and it's missing the point. You don't need expensive equipment; you need good beans. Great quality artisan-roasted beans and a cheapo aeropress give excellent results. £1000 gaggia and stty lavazza beans and you'll get a st result. You may get a slightly improved result with an expensive machine, but the far far bigger difference is the type of beans used.

As a coffee fanatic, I agree with you... Up to a point

It depends on what kind of coffee you're making: Great beans + Chemex = stunning filter coffee. Great beans + cheap, low end espresso machine = mediocre espresso that's not nearly as enjoyable to drink as the same beans in a Chemex. Great beans + good espresso machine = great espresso.

You can make good coffee with cheap gear, but you can't make good espresso without something at least half decent.

Rubbish beans will make rubbish coffee no matter what method or equipment is used.

And to answer the Op, beans will last fine in a cool dark place for up to 2-3 weeks after roasting. No need to freeze or anything.

Edited by uncinqsix on Wednesday 18th May 07:15

[Richyboy]

I vacuum pack 3/4 of a bag of costco beans and stick the rest in a zip lock bag to grind every day (then take a quarter out at a time and re-vacuum pack). Then I use a burr grinder to grind them and a stainless steel dripper to make the coffee.

[Vyse]

Nice one guys. Any quality websites you recommend for buying some beans?

[Magic919]

I have to mention Smokey Barn as he is a PHer. I get mine from Has Beans.

[RizzoTheRat]

I usually use HasBean but Redbur are good too.

[greg2k]

Moka pots are OK, but they make pseudo-espresso, I'd rather have a long drink, plus they're quite labour intensive. Coffee cones with filter papers are my preferred method of making coffee; not quite as good as French press but minimal clean-up, just bin the filter and give the cone a rinse.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/coffee-filter-holder


It is worth splurging 50+ on a half-decent burr grinder though. Blade grinders aren't brilliant, but entry level burr grinders are pieces of junk.


"Hipster" coffee beans are generally the best, but supermarket premium ones are also pretty good now.

[Truckosaurus]

Magic919 said:

I have to mention Smokey Barn as he is a PHer. I get mine from Has Beans.

I agree. Good service from both.

[Blown2CV]

I did look at Smokey barn a while ago and they didn't seen to have many varieties - think there may only have been one on available at the time. I use Pact just because it's easy, really good quality and they push lots of variety at me. Pact really do have me by the balls. It's usually £6 a bag, which gets about 8 double espresso or so i think. I have however just spent £8.95 on a same-sized bag of "El Cedrillo" limited edition with tasting notes of "Dark Chocolate, Lemon and Orange" just because they emailed me tonight saying "want some of this? will be gone soon!". Kind of a mug i suppose but to be honest it's just one of these things that are just for me and i love it.

[BishBosh]

Vyse said:

Nice one guys. Any quality websites you recommend for buying some beans?

Purchased my machine from the link below about 2 years ago, they do some cracking beans too.

I have a Bezzera Strega lever machine and it is the most used gadget in our house and still after two years great fun to use and enjoy the end result..

https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/