How to read the roast date on a bag of coffee?
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TL;DR
The roast date is more important than the best-before date: it indicates the coffee's true freshness. For espresso, beans are ideal between 7 and 21 days after roasting. Beyond 6-8 weeks, the most volatile aromas have disappeared.
The roast date indicates the day the green coffee beans were heated and transformed into ready-to-use coffee. It is the most reliable indicator of freshness on a bag of coffee: coffee consumed between 7 and 28 days after its roast date is generally at its aromatic peak.
Roast Date vs. Best Before Date: What's the Difference?
The best-before date (DLC in French) or minimum durability date (DDM in French) indicates that the coffee is "consumable" until that date, with no health risk. It can be set for 18 or 24 months after roasting. But "consumable" doesn't mean "good."
The roast date, on the other hand, tells you when the coffee was made. Artisan roasters like Jockos Coffee consistently indicate this date.
What is the Ideal Consumption Window?
Minimum rest: 48 to 72 hours after roasting. Optimal window: between 7 and 28 days after roasting. Acceptable limit: up to 6 weeks for well-conditioned coffees.
Why Don't Supermarket Coffees Mention the Roast Date?
Legislation does not require it. This is precisely why we roast to order. Discover our selection.
All our bags display the roast date: we roast to order.