Jute coffee bags-foodgrade?

[farmroast]

Been wondering if some of the jute bag smells and tastes are possibly from chemicals used in making some jute bags. Being a sheep farmer I know that when wool fiber is processed many chemicals can be used. Some in the cleaning called scouring and some in the spinning to lubricate the machinery in the process. Some spinners use a veg. oil based and others a mineral oil type others a concoction. I've read that some jute bags are also treated to make them rot, pest and fire resistant. Some of the jute storage bags for wool that I get have a much stronger "off" smell than others. I wonder if some of the chemicals used in making jute coffee bags may be affecting the coffee. Does anyone know more about this? Saw this online too. http://www.jute.com/foodgradejute.html seems as foodgrade usage bags are rather recent and probably not yet used by all. Ed

[DaveC]

Been wondering if some of the jute bag smells and tastes are possibly from chemicals used in making some jute bags. Being a sheep farmer I know that when wool fiber is processed many chemicals can be used. Some in the cleaning called scouring and some in the spinning to lubricate the machinery in the process. Some spinners use a veg. oil based and others a mineral oil type others a concoction. I've read that some jute bags are also treated to make them rot, pest and fire resistant. Some of the jute storage bags for wool that I get have a much stronger "off" smell than others. I wonder if some of the chemicals used in making jute coffee bags may be affecting the coffee. Does anyone know more about this? Saw this online too. http://www.jute.com/foodgradejute.html seems as foodgrade usage bags are rather recent and probably not yet used by all. Ed

I find coffee kept too long in jute bags can smell "baggy" to me. I would be amazed if the bags are not full of manufacturing residues and am convinced they impart some taste to the coffee. I think if the coffee is going to be around a while, it's best to get it out of the bag if you can. For home roasters I think cotton pillowcases are a good storage container.

http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/green-coffee-storage