What is the function of a small hole in a coffee bean bag? Stop squeezing coffee bags to smell it!

If you have looked at the coffee bean bag, you will find that there is an object on the back that looks like a button, and there may be a small hole in it, called an "air valve".

The purpose of this device is to remove carbon dioxide from the bean bag, because freshly roasted coffee beans have to be vented, which is more aptly said to feel like breathing.

The function of the air valve is to help release the carbon dioxide from the coffee beans, so for the coffee beans, the air valve is a device that keeps the air out, effectively slowing down the aging rate of the coffee beans.

Fresh coffee beans release carbon dioxide

In the process of roasting coffee beans, part of the carbon dioxide is released, but most of the carbon dioxide remains in the beans, so the beans slowly vent the gas after about two weeks of baking.

At this time, if the bag containing coffee beans does not have an air valve to assist in exhaust, the coffee beans in the bag will continue to exhaust, which will cause the bag to over-expand. If the storage environment causes compression, it may cause the bean bag to burst, thus destroying the preservation of the coffee bean. (it may take you half a day or several days to realize that the coffee beans have gone bad due to exposure to the air.)

The harm of air to coffee quality

At the beginning, it is mentioned that the air valve of the coffee bean bag is a device that does not enter and exit only, that is, the one-way valve. The function of the valve can not only discharge the gas from the coffee beans, but also prevent the outside air from seeping into the bean bag, affecting the quality of the coffee beans.

In another article, we mentioned three major factors that affect the quality of coffee beans: oxygen, humidity and temperature, which shorten the best taste period and damage the quality of coffee beans. Therefore, it is very important to discharge the internal gas without letting the air in.

Squeeze the bean bag and smell it?

It should be noted that when carbon dioxide is discharged, it will also release a large amount of aroma of coffee beans, which is why when we squeeze coffee bean bags, we can smell a great aroma from the air valve, but this action is not the original intention of the bean bag air valve design, because these carbon dioxide is actually one of the elements to keep coffee beans fresh, and the air pressure in the bag can also help keep coffee beans fresh. In addition, the action of squeezing will also lose the aroma of coffee beans and affect the quality of coffee beans, so try to avoid squeezing coffee bean bags to smell fragrance.

Summarize the function of air valve

1. Moistureproof: effectively keep the coffee beans dry and mellow flavor, the moisture in the air can not run into the bag.

two。 Cushioning: when the coffee bean bag is impacted or falls from a high place, the air in the bag can be discharged from the one-way exhaust valve to reduce the impact caused by the residual gas in the bag and prevent the package from bursting.

3. Exhaust: after the coffee is roasted, it can effectively discharge the carbon dioxide from the bag and avoid the bursting of the package.

In addition, some people may have the experience of flying with coffee beans, and you will find that the coffee bags are dried up when you get off the plane, like vacuum rice, which will also affect the flavor and preservation of fresh coffee. because the cabin pressure will squeeze the air out of the coffee bag. At this time, as long as the air valve is taped first, and then put into the chain bag, the coffee beans can be protected by an extra layer of protection. Try to see if there is any effect next time.