On a bag of specialty coffee, the roast date is shown: the day the coffee was roasted. From that day on, the flavor changes. At first, the coffee improves, then gradually becomes less vibrant. Here you can read what happens in which week and how to use the roast date when choosing.
The timeline after the roast date
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 0 to 3 | Degassing. The beans are still releasing gas. The flavor is still closed. |
| Day 4 to 14 | Opening up. Filter coffee often tastes good already. Espresso usually needs a little more time to rest. |
| Week 2 to 4 | At its best. The flavor is open and vibrant. |
| Week 4 to 8 | Aromas fade. Still good to drink, but less vibrant. |
| After 8 weeks | Becoming increasingly flat. The flavor gradually becomes dull. |
This is a guideline. Light roasts often need a little more time to rest than dark roasts, and espresso usually a little more than filter. The quickest way to tell is to taste it yourself by brewing a cup every few days.
Why degas?
Carbon dioxide is created in the beans during roasting. This gas is released during the first few days. If you brew your coffee immediately after roasting, there is still a lot of gas in it. This can make the flavor dull or unsettled. That is why it is wise to let the beans rest for a while first.
Why does coffee lose flavor over time?
Oxygen and moisture from the air gradually cause the aromas to disappear. The longer the coffee sits, the more has disappeared. Ground coffee deteriorates faster than whole beans. Also read why grinding fresh is essential.
How to choose fresh coffee
- Look at the roast date on the bag. How to read the rest of the bag, read in how to read a coffee bag.
- Choose a bag that was roasted less than eight weeks ago.
- Buy small bags so that you drink them before the flavor declines.
- Also pay attention to the roast level: light roasts may need to rest a little longer.
How to keep coffee fresh
- Store the beans in a dark, cool, and dry place, in a sealed bag or container. The Airscape is one such container.
- Only grind just before brewing.
- For more tips, read storing coffee: how to keep your beans fresh longer.
Ready to taste?
- Browse our specialty coffee and check the roast date for each coffee.
- More about freshness: coffee freshness and roast date explained.
