Nitrogen plays a foundational role in sustaining life on our planet. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining coffee freshness after roasting.
As soon as coffee comes into contact with oxygen, it starts to oxidize. It does so once roasted and awaiting packaging, as soon as it is ground, and once it is sealed into the coffee bag with oxygen trapped inside. This oxidation alters the taste and aroma of the coffee, which for any roaster represents their signature and brand.
The objective for roasters around the world is to find a way to lock in the taste and aroma and slow down the staling process without impacting the coffee flavour. This can be achieved in a number of ways, but the most effective method is nitrogen flushing. Nitrogen is a non-reactive gas that is flavourless, odourless, and food safe. When used to seal coffee bags, it displaces the oxygen, creating the perfect environment for the coffee beans to remain fresh and flavourful. This improves the shelf life of roasted coffee without compromising the quality.
Nitrogen for the freshness win
