• Trailblazing roaster George Howell has been freezing each inexperienced and roasted espresso since 2001, however the apply grew to become rather more widespread within the mid-2010s.
• Many assert that it will probably extend the freshness of roasted espresso for as much as a yr, spurring its recognition amongst business professionals and low lovers.
• Analysis from the SCA discovered that the speed of degassing considerably slows down when freshly roasted espresso samples are saved at -25°C (-13°F).
• The apply, nevertheless, is usually not so simple as storing a bag of roasted espresso within the freezer. Web boards are stuffed with questions on easy methods to freeze espresso, giving baristas a chance to share finest practices.

The apply of freezing each inexperienced and roasted espresso took the specialty espresso business by storm within the mid-to-late 2010s.

First pioneered by George Howell within the early 2000s, the approach gained recognition after the 2017 Re:co Symposium, the place George showcased a number of coffees that had been harvested 4 years prior. The coffees tasted as contemporary because the day they have been frozen, remodeling our preconceptions about high quality and flavour.

Since then, many high-end roasters and cafés have adopted the apply, enabling them to serve what was as soon as unattainable: coffees roasted months or years earlier than.

Specialty espresso lovers have additionally taken up the apply, asking for ideas and steering on web boards. Strategies can fluctuate; some vacuum seal espresso in baggage, whereas others retailer samples in check tubes.

There are just a few factors of competition regarding frozen espresso, together with correct storage circumstances and when to grind it. As curiosity on this apply continues to develop, baristas have a chance to information customers in the suitable course.

I spoke to George Howell of George Howell Espresso, Tom Finch of Manchester Espresso Archive, and Ella Turnbull at ST. ALi to study extra.

You might also like our article on whether or not grinding frozen espresso damages your grinder.

Why freezing revolutionised roasted espresso freshness

Freshness is at all times a priority for espresso, particularly when it’s roasted. Roasted espresso beans are porous, so over time, publicity to warmth, mild, oxygen, and humidity will degrade high quality and flavour. 

Within the pursuit of espresso excellence, business professionals search for options to protect freshness and flavour as a lot as attainable. Freezing roasted espresso, a comparatively new idea, has emerged as some of the efficient.

“It’s the thought of primarily ‘stopping the clock’ on a espresso’s ageing course of, and the way this may be utilised to attain a particular set of advantages,” says Tom, the co-founder of Manchester Espresso Archive, a crowd-sourced assortment of frozen, high-quality, and vacuum-sealed coffees.

The science behind it’s comparatively easy: storing beans at sub-zero temperatures actively prolongs shelf life and extends freshness by slowing down the speed of degassing. Analysis from the SCA discovered that this course of considerably slows down when freshly roasted espresso samples are saved at -25°C (-13°F).

Though it’s now an more and more frequent apply amongst specialty espresso companies and lovers, freezing each inexperienced and roasted espresso was as soon as a novelty.

George Howell, a pioneering business determine and founding father of George Howell Espresso, spearheaded the pattern. He first began to freeze inexperienced and roasted espresso over twenty years in the past and stays an ardent supporter of the strategy for preserving espresso’s finest qualities.

However the apply garnered extra widespread consideration on the 2017 Re:co Symposium, when George served coffees which had been harvested years prior.

“We had three totally different inexperienced coffees that have been every over three years outdated,” he tells me. “Earlier than roasting, we needed to maintain them for just a few days in order that the temperature was appropriate. 

“Folks have been lining up for these coffees, which have been from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Guatemala.”

Freezing is changing into customary apply in specialty espresso

Lower than ten years in the past, the thought of freezing roasted and inexperienced espresso was largely unprecedented – and even frowned upon in some instances.

“We used to listen to just some years in the past that you simply shouldn’t freeze roasted espresso, then Kyle Ramage, the 2017 US Barista Champion, proved them fallacious,” says George.

Throughout his routine, Kyle used dry ice to freeze his espresso earlier than grinding, asserting that it resulted in a extra even, constant grind dimension and sweeter flavours. 

This resolution was backed by scientific analysis. A 2016 examine led by Christopher Hendon discovered that floor espresso particles grew to become smaller and extra uniform in dimension at decrease temperatures, with the biggest change occurring between room temperature and -19°C (-2.2°F). Smaller, consistently-sized particles enable for extra even, greater ranges of extraction, thereby releasing extra flavours.

“Freezing espresso was a kind of game-changing however, in hindsight, apparent breakthroughs,” says Ella, the top of high quality management at Australia’s ST. ALi. “It’s efficient, easy, and extremely repeatable. I nonetheless discover it stunning that we weren’t all doing it earlier. A couple of folks experimented, shared their outcomes on-line, and the apply unfold quickly.”

Immediately, a rising variety of high-end specialty cafés – together with ST. ALi, Proud Mary, ONA, Rosslyn, and George Howell – are showcasing the advantages of freezing espresso. 

“For companies, having a ‘freezer stash’ is a sensible approach to hold quite a few top-tier coffees available always, with out having to fret about wastage,” Tom explains. “Many companies have realised that is a simple means so as to add one thing enjoyable to their choices, which can cater to folks in search of extra distinctive espresso experiences. 

“This may be an off-menu choice for these within the know, or a reserve menu freely out there to view: there’s a number of scope for creativity.”

Customers, in the meantime, have a chance to strive one thing really distinctive: coffees harvested or roasted years prior.

“At our cafes, we have now particular version frozen coffees for pour over particularly,” George says. “Proper now, we have now La Calaca Gesha from El Injerto in Guatemala for a restricted time, and we at all times provide the Kenyan Mamuto as frozen.”

Client curiosity in frozen espresso is rising

As extra specialty espresso outlets and roasters show the unbelievable potential of freezing roasted beans, client curiosity is steadily rising. 

“At house, folks like freezing espresso as a result of it means you by no means run out of it; I at all times have some rested espresso within the freezer able to brew,” Tom says. “Freezing permits folks to purchase in bulk and progressively use the espresso as wanted, moderately than worrying about it going stale on the shelf.”

Quite a few on-line espresso fanatic boards are stuffed with questions on freezing espresso, notably roasted beans. However with out formalised, universally-accepted business finest practices, confusion nonetheless persists.

Whereas some posts declare that freezing roasted espresso in its authentic packaging is a handy, approach to retailer it, business professionals assert that vacuum sealing is a confirmed methodology to protect freshness for so long as attainable.

“Roasted espresso baggage have one-way valves,” George highlights. Though the speed of degassing considerably slows down at decrease temperatures, it’s nonetheless vital to minimise any publicity to oxygen.

“Rachel Apple held a few of our frozen roasted Geshas for over a yr, and so they have been at all times vacuum-sealed,” George provides. 

Batch dimension and price of use may also affect storage circumstances.

“Freeze beans in pre-weighed single doses prepared to be used, so that you’re not opening and shutting a container each time you wish to dip into your stash,” Ella says. “This prevents publicity to oxygen and moisture and preserves beans for longer.”

Glass check tubes typically work finest for single doses, whereas vacuum-sealed containers or plastic baggage will protect freshness for bigger portions of roasted espresso.

“Single doses will final every week or two, however if you wish to wait a month or longer, it is advisable to vacuum seal,” George explains.

Whatever the timeframe between freezing and brewing, George, Tom, and Ella all agree on two primary ideas: retailer beans in a well-kept, clear freezer maintained at steady temperatures and at all times grind from frozen.

“For consistency, dial within the espresso frozen, after which the parameters ought to keep intact if you subsequent brew the espresso,” Ella shares. “If attainable, use a freezer you don’t open usually to minimise temperature fluctuations.”

“Frozen roasted espresso beans are extra brittle than room temperature beans because the moisture and oils inside solidify,” she provides. “This will provide you with a extra constant dimension and form of grinds, and with fewer super-fine espresso particles, resulting in greater cup readability and even extraction when brewed.”

“We at all times grind straight from frozen,” George says. “My understanding has at all times been the colder the higher.”

How baristas and roasters can share finest practices

Like several concept or apply in specialty espresso, extra formal, scientific analysis is required to raised perceive freezing roasted and inexperienced espresso.

“We have to encourage folks to check issues themselves and see the outcomes,” Tom says. “There isn’t an enormous quantity of dependable information to seek the advice of in terms of espresso freezing, and I strive to not sound like I do know all of the solutions, although I’ve been freezing for a very long time now.

“We now have a freezing information on our web site that I wrote as a form of literature assessment once I first received into the apply,” he provides. 

Finally, it’s all the way down to espresso outlets and roasters to proceed investing within the apply, creating a deeper understanding of what circumstances assist protect the standard and flavour of frozen espresso for the longest attainable time. In flip, baristas – typically the closest level of contact with prospects – can disseminate the proper info.

“Speak to your prospects. The wonderful thing about frozen espresso is that it’s helpful and relevant for each buyer,” Ella asserts. “Freezing espresso, if carried out accurately, is instantly sensible and helpful for most individuals.”

That is notably vital for house roasters, who’re more and more occupied with freezing inexperienced espresso. The standard preservation course of, nevertheless, begins at farm degree.

“When freezing inexperienced espresso, the processing and the drying needs to be spot on, in any other case, the inexperienced espresso will solely final a yr or so,” George explains. “But when the whole lot is finished proper, the espresso can final three to 4 years.

“It is advisable know as near the precise harvest date as attainable, and vacuum seal the batch dimension that you simply’ll roast,” he provides. “So long as the seal lasts, the espresso will keep contemporary for a very long time.”

There’s nonetheless rather more to study freezing roasted and inexperienced espresso. With the apply nonetheless fashionable at this time, particularly amongst espresso lovers and residential roasters, there’s a important want for additional analysis and managed experimentation.

Sharing finest practices and research-backed steering will solely assist this system proliferate – permitting extra folks to increase their conceptions of espresso freshness.

Loved this? Then learn our article on how one can freeze inexperienced espresso.

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