The fresher the coffee, the better... right? Surprisingly, super fresh coffee beans can still brew a very flavorless cup. This is because of a process called degassing. Gas in coffee affects everything from coffee flavor to your brewing process. We'll be talking about what degassing is and how it can impact your next cup of coffee.
What is Coffee Degassing?
Coffee degassing is the period of time when gas escapes from roasted coffee beans. This process starts immediately after the roasting process is over and can lasts 2-3 weeks. The reason why it’s not a good move to brew coffee immediately after it is roasted is because that’s when most of the gases are escaping the coffee.
Coffee flavor comes from extraction, which is when hot water and the coffee grounds touch. If there are gas bubbles that prevent the water and coffee from touching, then the coffee extraction is poor and the flavor is weak.
Here's a video on Coffee Degassing: Is Fresher Coffee Always Better?
How Does Carbon Dioxide Get in Coffee?
Gases are formed in the coffee beans during the roasting process. When green coffee beans are roasted, they undergo extreme heat which catalyzes chemical reactions within the beans including but not limited to, carbohydrates breaking down, the darkening of bean color, and the production of water and carbon dioxide. During the roasting process, a good indication that gas is being released is the sound of beans cracking. Gases are developed throughout the entire roasting process, but often it's not enough time for all the gases to escape.
How Long Does it Take for Coffee to Degas?
While the general ballpark is 3-5 days to 2 weeks, the perfect amount of time for a coffee to degas depends on how it was roasted, grown, processed, and how it will be brewed. For example, if you are brewing coffee with an immersion or drip method like a pour over or a French press, you can use beans as quickly as a couple days after they are roasted. This is because the coffee has more contact time with water.
For espresso, it's imperative to let the coffee rest for at least 5 days to a week before using because espresso is especially sensitive to contact time. Espresso brew time is much shorter than a pour over, so every second of contact matters. Natural processed coffee takes more time to degas compared to washed coffees. Lighter roast coffees also needs more time to degas compared to dark roasted coffees that have been roasted longer and have more cracks in the beans allowing more gas to escape.
Is Degassing Important?
Degassing is important if you want good, flavorful coffee. If you brew coffee without degassing, chances are it will come out under extracted and sour tasting. You want to give your coffee time to degas and ensure the best possible coffee tasting and brewing experience.
What Happens After Beans Degas?
After coffee beans degas they will begin to turn stale and oxidize, just like an opened bag of snacks. That’s why it is crucial to know how long your beans need to degas so you can use them when they’re most flavorful!
Learn more about how to store your coffee so it stays fresh
Final Thoughts
Coffee degassing is important to learn about because it impacts the way our coffee tastes. To elevate your at home coffee experience, we recommend our Downtown Blend for beginners or our Extra Fancy Kona Coffee for coffee connoisseurs.
