How do you identify roasting date (for online bought beans)?

#1: Post by **Napa Dave** » February 25th, 2023, 11:30 am

Question to the group please - how do you know if the website's don't post it?

Or is best method to buy from a local roaster that can tell you in person?

#2: Post by **Jeff** » February 25th, 2023, 11:48 am

I think the best is to buy from a reputable roaster, local, across the country, or around the world.

Most of the roasters I have worked with since I moved to mail-order ship within a few days of roast. For medium and lighter roast, that usually means that the mediums might be around time to open when I get them and the lighter ones may still be 2-4 weeks out (lighter roasts can sometimes benefit from 30-45 days from roast). The roasters I work with label the roast date on the bag. I do have to remember the day-month reversal of the US compared to many other parts of the world, especially with things like "11/1".

Periodically questions come up about roasters that don't label their bags at all. This is somewhat common with commercial suppliers whose clients go through coffee relatively quickly.

"Best by" dates are generally a sign to be avoided. Classic Italian roasts from top Italian roasters are a notable exception.