All coffee is not created equally. Mass produced coffee sold in the grocery store is much different than locally roasted coffee. The difference is not just in the taste – it is in the aroma and the way it makes you feel after drinking a cup. While the cost may be a little higher, you get a perfect cup of coffee each and every time. What is it that makes locally roasted coffee beans so superior to mass produced beans? Much like anything else that is local, quality wins out over quantity, which benefits the customer.
The Process
To begin, there is a different process for roasting coffee locally. Local roasting leads to a fresher product, as it is ground and packaged shortly after being roasted. This gives it an aroma that can be smelled before it is even opened.
Roasting coffee is a process that changes the chemical makeup of the bean. When a bean is picked, it is green. This is the bean at its freshest. It is stored and preserved in this green state until it is ready to be roasted. Once the beans are roasted to the desired flavor, the beans are then ground and packaged for delivery. The roasted ground beans must be packaged quickly to maintain freshness and integrity.
The Benefits
Anyone who has ever had a stale cup of coffee knows the benefit of locally roasted coffee beans. Many beans are not roasted on-site. As a result, between roasting and grinding for packaging, they lose much of the intended freshness and flavor. Days can pass from the moment the beans are roasted until the grounds are packed, resulting in a lack of freshness. Mass production in international warehouses can even create many a stale batch of coffee. However, if the beans are roasted locally, the coffee maintains its freshness from the time the bean is picked until the moment the coffee is brewed. While it is not quite the same as roasting and grinding your own coffee beans, it allows the next best thing to fill your coffee cup day after day.
The additional benefit to a locally roasted blend is the distinct taste that cannot be mass produced. Locally roasted coffee often uses a slower roasting process, which maintains the properties that make the coffee bean so unique. It is equivalent to the difference between grilling with propane rather than charcoal. The propane grill will always get the job done, but the meat and vegetables will have a bland taste. With a charcoal grill, the meat may take a bit longer to grill, but the taste is amazing and well worth the wait. Locally roasted coffee beans are very similar. The roasting process is a bit longer and more arduous, but the taste is worth the extra time.
If you are a local roaster and are looking for the best way to preserve your freshly roasted coffee, contact the experts at Gorby at (651) 408-5768. Our packaging systems will help you preserve the integrity of your coffee beans for all to enjoy.