If you are roasting green coffee beans at home, note that proper resting and storage are essential to preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your beans. I roast my green beans with the Gene Cafe home roaster and often get a medium roast after around 16 minutes. Here are what you should do after the roasting process.
Freshly roasted coffee beans should not be brewed instantly as they need to go through a degassing process, or releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) trapped inside. When you make espresso, this gas can cause uneven extraction and reduce flavor. With proper storage, you can protect your beans from air, moisture, heat, and light to extend the shelf life and enjoy a much better cup.
Cooling Your Beans
After completing the roasting process, you can use a colander to cool down the beans quickly and stop the roasting process. Spread the beans out and stir to release heat; You can also use a fan to bring them to room temperature. This helps lock in the flavors developed during your roast, ensuring they are not over-roasted.
Resting Your Coffee
Resting, or degassing, is the period during which CO2 escapes from the beans. This process is very important to achieve optimal flavor. The bulk of CO2 is released within the first 24-48 hours after roasting, depending on the roasting level. Darker roasts degass much faster than lighter ones.
After the beans cool down, I often transfer them from the colander to an Airscape container for initial degassing. I like the Airscape because it has a one-way valve that allows CO2 to escape while preventing oxygen and moisture from entering. So I don’t have to worry about flavor degradation over time. I’d recommend the small Airscape for small batches as it can hold up to 8oz, matching the output of my roaster. For espresso, resting for 4-6 days is ideal, with peak flavor potentially reached at 10-14 days. Filter coffee may require 3-4 days. This extended period allows flavors to fully develop. After the extended period, you can close the valve of the Airscape, and put the lid on to store the beans.
Storing Coffee
You should keep the canister in a cool, dark place, away from heat sources like stovetops or direct sunlight. Do not store coffee in the fridge or freezer because it can be affected by moisture and odors from other foods. You can also mark the roast date on the canister to track freshness. The coffee beans should be consumed within 1-2 weeks; by roasting small batch, you also reduce waste and maintain the best quality.
Recommended Resting and Storage Periods
| Coffee Type | Initial Degassing (Valve Open) | Optimal Resting Before Brewing | Storage Duration for Freshness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | At least 24 hours | 4-6 days, peak at 10-14 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Filter Coffee / Pour-Over | At least 24 hours | 3-4 days | 1-2 weeks |
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