JimmyP Nonsense…..we regularly have discussions on here about labelling. Some roasters put a best before, some put a roasted on with a best before. As long as it complies with labelling requirements by having a batch number on it. The firm you mention are volume roasters selling a lot of beans to commercials. I normally find 10 days plus resting time

https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

      dfk41 Sorry, I don’t buy that. If a roaster is capable of a “best before” then they’re also capable of a “roasted on”.

      Flair 58, Mahlkonig EK43, Kinu M47, 1zpresso ZP6.

          Some lie some don’t a business needs money not bad reviews. I think a lot do it

          JimmyP Open your vision. Not all roasters huddle over a 1 kg roaster, anxiously looking at the computer screen waiting for that ping of an order. Tynemouth roast coffee by the pallet not the kilo. Their target market is cafes and the like. They roast and ship it out in bulk. It is only hobbyists like us who worry about roasted on date. I agree though, a low volume roaster might have something to hide. I have had coffee recently from well a known roaster that had a roasted on date. Unfortunately for him, it was 26 days past roast when he sent it out

          https://www.suddencardiacarrestuk.org/2024/02/thank-goodness-for-madeira-cake/

              5 days later

              dfk41 I still don’t buy it. Surely the only reason a roaster would choose “best before” in preference to “roasted on” would be to increase their takings? It’s a disadvantage to coffee lovers that want the best result in their cup.

              Flair 58, Mahlkonig EK43, Kinu M47, 1zpresso ZP6.

                  dfk41 Nah. You’re the one suggesting this roaster and that I should “open my vision”.
                  I would suggest that this is a forum for enthusiasts and speciality coffee lovers 👍

                  Flair 58, Mahlkonig EK43, Kinu M47, 1zpresso ZP6.

                      11 days later

                      JimmyP Yes, I would also avoid such beans, BUT I never buy beans in large quantities because I try to drink freshly roasted coffee within the first month. So yes, in my opinion, the roast date on the packaging is absolutely necessary.

                          dfk41 Please define large quantity

                          I’m the only one in the family who drinks coffee, and I brew it once a day using 15g of coffee. So, I need around 450g of coffee per month. That’s why I usually don’t buy more than 500g a month—anything more would be too much, and I just wouldn’t drink it all. So, buying more and drinking stale coffee doesn’t seem like a great idea, at least in my opinion

                          dfk41 Please define freshly roasted

                          I rely on my own taste perception. In my opinion, coffee loses some of its qualities after a month post-roast and becomes less interesting.