How do you ensure you don't run out of beans ?

mobius

I fully expect answers such as ‘get a subscription’ or ‘local shop’, and I can see plenty of easy answers. (I have considered a subscription, but then I can’t easily explore all of the wonderful roasters)

However, I’m curious if anyone has tips on how to explore new beans and roasters, whilst also letting beans rest for a week or so after roast date, and not leaving them too long ?

I am currently trying to remember to order when I open my last remaining bag (usually 250g), so that the new beans will arrive and be rested in time for when I’m ready. The problems being roasting time and delivery times seem to vary by roaster, so there could be times when I have too much (not a problem if occasional) or none (a bigger problem). I have learned that Darker roasts should be consumed before lighter, but beyond that I’m still learning.

If I run out, I could go and buy some cheap beans, either locally or delivered next day, but then I’ve got an amount of beans to work through before starting my next ‘good’ beans.

Maybe I’m being too picky/pedantic, but when I’m spending £10+ on a bag of good beans, I don’t really want to brew them too soon, or too late, and at the same time I want to minimise the time I’m on ‘cheap’ beans because, well, it’s boring.

Perhaps this is just a ‘me’ problem, but I’d welcome feedback and thoughts from everyone else as to their method/process around bean sourcing and usage.

(I’m opening a fresh bag on Saturday, and placed an order with Unorthodox today - thanks to folk in this forum - and realise I may have once again have misjudged my timing)

Doram

mobius

Have you considered roasting?

This completely solves the problem for me, because I can keep a larger quantity of greens for longer and roast when needed; not to mention all the other advantages of roasting.

MediumRoastSteam

Buy bigger bags (1kg or 500g) when you see a good coffee. Vac pack it and store in a cool, dry place. When you have 1kg left, or less, order more.

mobius

MediumRoastSteam In your experience, how does vacuum packing affect the resting/expiry of the beans - do you follow a similar timeframe once they’re unpacked again (so if vacuum packed the day after roasting, would you let them rest a week on unpacking, for espresso, for instance ?) or is it just use ASAP and finish before anything else at that point ?

I only drink espresso (I drink filter decaf, and can filter older beans past their ‘best’, but I’m not keen on that) and although I’m trying to keep notes on what I like and dislike, I’m trying to avoid buying bulk of any bean at the moment, as I want to keep trying new things.

I will definitely look into the vacuum pack though.

MediumRoastSteam

MediumRoastSteam it works for me. they defo degrade faster once they are defrosted or taken out of the vac-pack - hence why I vac-pack in smaller 200g portions.

Works for me, but YMMV.

dutchy101

I’ve got about 3-4kg in my freezer. Running out has never happened to me.

mobius

dutchy101 I already have to fight for space for the machine and coffee gear in the kitchen - I fear fighting for freezer space as well, may reduce my future ‘upgrade’ options with my wife 😅

dutchy101

mobius

When I say “my freezer” I mean my parents’ chest freezer, lol. I think of it as mine as I take so much space in it. I tend to vacuum seal before freezing.

Cuprajake

ive been on the dog and hat subscription for the last two months, they do 2,3,4 bag options,

plus light, international and darker roaster, so far ive had great results, and your first order you get a discount, so could try that

mobius

Cuprajake Another one added to my list of ‘to try’ - thanks. Do you find a subscription satisfies that ‘something new’ exploration itch ?

I guess my other concern with a subscription, is that I’ve found I dislike ‘smoky’ - and therefore some - dark roasts, so I would want to be sure I could avoid those.

Cuprajake

yeah, i had one month last yr with similar tasting notes, but this time round they have all been med - med light, nothing dark, and always very different

mobius

Cuprajake Thanks. I’ve just been chatting to them and they say they’re aiming for the lighter/medium notes, as the ‘traditional’ subscription is for the darker side.

It actually sounds really good, so I may give it a try after my next couple of bags. Thanks again.

Cuprajake

no worries, i stay away from the traditional, did you see the discount code, its around £24 for 4 bags del

mobius

Cuprajake I missed the discount code, but haven’t ordered yet ! Where should I be looking ?

I was going to try the standard sub, at 2 bags, and then maybe add in the international 2x at a later date, which would maybe give me what I’m looking for (a bit of date overlap, but manageable) if the coffee is appealing enough (it certainly has good reviews).

mobius

Doram Whilst I’m sure it’s another great aspect to coffee, roasting is a direction I’m not going in for various reasons, but mostly because I would likely burn down the kitchen. Also, these days, energy prices are bad enough so I don’t want to add more overheads to my already crazy electricity bills.

In a different house/timeline/scenario I would definitely consider it though.

Cuprajake

OldGregg

As mentioned before, I tend to vaccum seal and freeze when buying in bulk…But my curiosity for something new always gets ahead of me - I tend to buy more than I can consume. Luckily, I have a few friends that I always end up passing old/disliked coffees to since they don’t seem to be as picky.

hornbyben

@mobius, I’ve settled on ordering 3-4 (250g) bags about a week before I think I’ll run out. Since the Christmas madness allowing a week for shipping seems to have been enough. I’m then using everything in the 1-5 week range, and I’ve been pleased with the taste and it avoids too much faff.

The only issue is a few too many unplanned coffee drinkers. If that happens Sainsbury’s usually have a not too old bag of Union on the shelf.

Amberale

I have 40-50 kg of various green beans and a Kaffelogic Nano7 roaster.
If I forget to roast or have been away

on holidays, I can use a Ready To Drink profile and have beans in under an hour.
I live on a farm at least 50kms from my nearest commercial roaster.

MediumRoastSteam

mobius Whilst I’m sure it’s another great aspect to coffee, roasting is a direction I’m not going in for various reasons, but mostly because I would likely burn down the kitchen. Also, these days, energy prices are bad enough

You can roast outside, so burning the kitchen is not an issue;
Energy prices are not only bad enough for you. It’s also bad enough for the roasters who pass the cost on to you.

Sorry, your argument does not stand. 🙃😊👍😉

On a serious note: roasting is a very good part of the hobby, if you are happy with the results you get from roasting at home, and if you have the time and to understand what goes on inside the roaster. It’s not easy, it’s often not cheap due toothed cost of equipment and green beans, but it can be if you know where to buy your greens from and utilise your roaster frequently so eventually it will pay for itself. For instance, you can buy excellent grade coffee from £6 to £8 per kg (ymmv). That sort of coffee will cost you £25 - £30 (ymmv) from a roaster as they absorb the other costs of running the business and dealing with failed batches, experimenting etc.

I’ve tried. And after 4 roasters, I decided it is not for me in this shape or form.

JonWoo187

MediumRoastSteam Yeah no doubt as my only regret with home roasting is not doing it sooner than I did. Factoring in weight loss during roasting, shipping, a bit of electricity and I’m still saving an average of 50% cost-wise and have been so impressed with what I crank out I plan to NEVER buy roasted coffee again.