"Bloom" on coffee beans?

12 years ago

Hi -- Just opened a sack of Organic Indonesia Espresso Full City Roast Whole Bean coffee (long name ;^) to grind. There is no expiration date on the sack, and some of the beans look like they have a bit of "bloom" on them, just like chocolate would.

Are these coffee beans good to use or are they expensive compost?

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Comments (5)

Olychick
12 years ago
I've ground coffee for 40 years, but have not seen that. Looking around on the internet, it looks like it could be a few things, including mold. I am linking an article from a coffee roaster that is specific to Jamaican blue mountain coffee, but wonder if it could apply to all beans:
"Alternately, roasted Jamaican blue mountain coffee beans that have been removed from the plant too soon also causes a color defect known as the dark grey bean. Another defect that can occur to a roasted jamaicanblue mountain coffee bean also causes it to appear grey in color but occurs when the bean is removed from the plant much too early."

"The under-dried roasted Jamaican blue mountain coffee bean turns whitish in color and is referred to as a glassy bean. The glassy bean defect can also occur if the roasted Jamaican blue mountain coffee beans become wet again after having been dried"

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee defects
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
12 years ago
Really depends on their history. A gift? Where did you purchase? Pulled from the freezer?
A week old purchased, or from the freezer who knows where and when. If gifted this past holiday they could be years old.

Oils on roasted coffee can go rancid, or just cold and gray/milky pale from a fridge/freezer.
All pretty much bad new for coffee.

If taken from the back of a closet from who knows when, i would toss it. If frozen, i might suggest toasting in a low oven for an hour and making a powder in a spice mill. Keep frozen and use in cooking.

Personally i would toss it. But i roast my own beans and grind fresh.

If they have a cocoa bloom, they are old.
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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
12 years ago
Well that makes more sense olychick, having just read your post and link. In a way it sounds more like excuses and coverup, having difficult processing practices. Human or environmental.
If i purchased locally, and recently, i would take it back.
party_music50
Original Author
12 years ago
I didn't buy the coffee so don't know the history, but it sounds like I have glassy beans now. Bet my compost is going to smell really good. :)

Thanks for the replies!
Teresa_MN
12 years ago
Coffee grounds make great fertilizer if you have a garden. However, I'm sure it will work well in your compost also.

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"Bloom" on coffee beans?

Comments (5)

Olychick

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

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"Bloom" on coffee beans?

Comments (5)

Olychick

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)

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