>>58594100Whole coffee beans tend to retain their freshness longer than pre-ground coffee. When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (away from moisture, heat, and light), whole coffee beans can stay fresh for about 2 to 4 weeks after the roast date.
You can extend the shelf life of coffee beans by freezing them. When properly stored in an airtight container, coffee beans can be frozen for up to several months without significant loss of flavor. However, it's important to avoid frequent thawing and refreezing, as this can lead to moisture absorption.
It's important to remember that coffee does not "go bad" in the same way that perishable foods do. Instead, it gradually loses its flavor and aroma over time. To enjoy the best cup of coffee, it's recommended to use beans within their optimal freshness window.
Ultimately, the freshness of your coffee depends on your taste preferences. Some people may be more sensitive to flavor changes and prefer to use coffee within a few days of roasting, while others may not mind using beans that are a bit older.
As for what you experienced with the "slight bloom" that is perfectly normal and expected occurrence and is not necessarily an indicator of stale coffee beans. In fact, seeing a bloom during the pour-over brewing process is a sign that the coffee is fresh and actively releasing carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a natural byproduct of the roasting process.
When coffee is roasted, it goes through a degassing phase during which it releases CO2. Freshly roasted coffee beans will continue to release CO2 for some time after roasting. When you pour hot water over freshly ground coffee, especially with a pour-over method, the interaction with water can cause the coffee grounds to release even more gas, resulting in a bloom. This is seen as the coffee grounds puffing up and forming bubbles.
The bloom is actually a desirable step in the coffee brewing process because it helps "degas" the coffee, allowing the flavors to be extracted more evenly during brewing. It's not an indication of stale beans; rather, it's a sign of coffee beans that are still actively off-gassing and therefore should be relatively fresh.
If you are experiencing a bloom during pour-over brewing, it's likely that their coffee beans are still in good condition. To enjoy the best flavors, it's important to use freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing. If coffee beans are genuinely stale, they may not produce a bloom, but the absence of a bloom doesn't necessarily mean the beans are stale either.