How to tell if coffee beans are fresh?

The freshness of coffee beans is crucial to a delicious cup of coffee. Fresh coffee beans can retain their natural aroma and flavor, while expired or old beans will lose their original characteristics. Therefore, judging whether coffee beans are fresh is a skill that every coffee drinker should master.

First of all, observing the appearance is one of the simplest and most direct ways to judge whether the coffee beans are fresh or not. Fresh coffee beans are usually shiny, uniform in color and complete in shape. If you find problems such as brown spots, deformation or cracks, it is likely that these beans are no longer fresh.

Secondly, smelling can also help us determine whether the coffee beans still retain their aroma. Grind a small handful and place it in the palm of your hand to warm it slightly, rub it gently for a few seconds, and then take a deep breath to smell the aroma. If you can smell a strong and pleasant floral and fruity aroma, it means that these coffee beans are still fresh. On the contrary, if you smell a stale, moldy or pungent smell, it means that these beans are expired.

Finally, tasting is one of the most direct and effective ways to judge whether the coffee beans are fresh or not. Brew the ground coffee beans into a cup of rich and mellow coffee and savor the flavors and tastes. Fresh coffee beans usually have a rich and balanced taste, with obvious and clear fruity aromas and other complex flavors such as chocolate or nuts. If you drink bitter, bland or no characteristics at all, it means that these beans are no longer fresh.

In short, observing the appearance, smelling the aroma, and tasting the taste can help us judge whether the coffee beans are still at their proper level. Choosing fresh and high-quality coffee beans is essential for making a delicious and enjoyable cup of coffee.