coffeeshone Senior Member Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 34 Location: NY, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Aug 17, 2012, 11:28am Subject: Why does coffee in the bulk bins suck?
Hello folks, Curious if any of the experts out there have anything to say on this topic. I belong to a huge food coop in Brooklyn that gets frequent deliveries of fresh coffee sold in bulk dispensers. I know for a fact that the products move very quickly and are within a week of roast date, however, they have about a dozen different varieties, some from local roasters (Crop to Cup) and others (Pachamama, Equal Exchange, etc.) Problem is that I can never seems to get a good tasting espresso shot from any of them, so despite the value, I end up ordering redbird or Counter Culture from another local market.
My question is this- Do the beans just spoil very fast because they are exposed to to much air in the bulk dispensers, or is it that the varieties they carry aren't good for espresso?
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,732 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Fri Aug 17, 2012, 11:40am Subject: Re: Why does coffee in the bulk bins suck?
coffeeshone Said:
My question is this- Do the beans just spoil very fast because they are exposed to to much air in the bulk dispensers, or is it that the varieties they carry aren't good for espresso?
Although I don't at all consider myself an expert, I think I know enough to chime in...
Most likely the former is the culprit. Most foods, to avoid rapid spoiling, are placed in airtight containers (often vacuum sealed, and sometimes purged with nitrogen, or placed in a freezer or refrigerator. Why should coffee beans be any different? If you try to compare them to other produce left out in the bins, they're lacking one very important thing...an outer skin or shell. Espresso can really be made with any degree of roast. Since you are making good espresso with other coffees (such as Red Bird), you obviously have an idea how to grind and pull a shot properly.
EDIT: As Steve points out, freshness won't help a "crappy product". I'm probably giving your "local roasters" too much credit. I haven't ever heard of any of them or tried any of their beans, but figured since they're local roasters, maybe they did indeed make a decent roast. Then again, I should have considered their willingness to drop their beans into some open bulk bin.
Posted Fri Aug 17, 2012, 2:13pm Subject: Re: Why does coffee in the bulk bins suck?
emradguy Said:
Although I don't at all consider myself an expert, I think I know enough to chime in...
Most likely the former is the culprit. Most foods, to avoid rapid spoiling, are placed in airtight containers (often vacuum sealed, and sometimes purged with nitrogen, or placed in a freezer or refrigerator. Why should coffee beans be any different? If you try to compare them to other produce left out in the bins, they're lacking one very important thing...an outer skin or shell. Espresso can really be made with any degree of roast. Since you are making good espresso with other coffees (such as Red Bird), you obvously have an idea how to grind and pull a shot properly.
I'm inclined to disagree, at least as far as the shots are concerned. I think the simple fact is that the coffees that go into bulk bins aren't usually of terrific quality to begin with. It could be anything from cheap green to shoddy roasts, priced to move. Doesn't matter how fresh it is if it's a crappy product to start. OP's mention of Equal Exchange indicated to me that it's probably just poor quality - EE to me is a company that puts message before product. Of course, sitting out in the open air isn't exactly ideal for storage anyway.
FrankyD Senior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2012 Posts: 58 Location: Davis, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Starbucks Barista Grinder: Baratza Preciso/Kyocera... Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: WB Poppery I
Posted Thu Aug 23, 2012, 6:03am Subject: Re: Why does coffee in the bulk bins suck?
I've actually bought Equal Exchange's coffee twice at my local coop as well and have twice been really dissatisfied. No matter what it is, both have this weird aroma about them...akin to a metallic smell. Pachamama has been great though.
I'm lucky to have a few micro roasters in my city, but it really helps to ask them when they get their shipments/restock the bins, because after a week, they fall flat really fast.
JasonBrandtLewis Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2005 Posts: 6,099 Location: Berkeley, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 - La Valentina -... Grinder: Mahlkönig K30 Vario -... Vac Pot: Yama 5-cup Drip: CCD, Chemex Roaster: No, no, not another...
Posted Sun Aug 26, 2012, 10:42am Subject: Re: Why does coffee in the bulk bins suck?
SteveRhinehart Said:
I'm inclined to disagree, at least as far as the shots are concerned. I think the simple fact is that the coffees that go into bulk bins aren't usually of terrific quality to begin with.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 