Coffee and transportation
Before it reaches your cup, coffee travels thousands of kilometers, from the tropical highlands to your roaster. This long journey is no small feat: it can have a significant impact on the final quality of the coffee, especially for specialty beans. Here's why transportation is a crucial link in the coffee chain.
Risks associated with transporting green coffee
Green, unroasted coffee is a living material sensitive to environmental variations. During transport, several risks can affect its quality. Excessive humidity can cause the growth of mold or unwanted fermentation. Prolonged heat accelerates the aging of the bean, leading to a loss of freshness and aroma. Sudden temperature fluctuations promote condensation, which can damage the beans. Finally, excessive transport time exposes the coffee to premature aging, especially for fine and delicate coffees.
Solutions to preserve quality
To protect coffee quality during transport, several practices are implemented. Airtight bags such as GrainPro or Ecotact limit exposure to humidity and odors. Some importers use refrigerated or ventilated containers to stabilize temperature and humidity. Reducing export times is also essential to maintain coffee freshness. Finally, some batches are transported by sail, a more environmentally friendly and gentler method for the most sensitive coffees.
Why does this also concern coffee lovers?
Preserving green coffee is essential because it determines the quality of the final cup. Poorly stored or transported coffee, even if it comes from a prestigious farm, can lose its liveliness and aromatic complexity, or develop noticeable defects after roasting.
How to recognize a well-transported coffee?
Although not always explicitly mentioned, certain clues can guide your choice. Choose late-harvest coffees that are available shortly after the season. Check for information on storage or packaging, such as the use of airtight bags. An importer or roaster committed to traceability and freshness is often a reassuring sign.
Conclusion
Coffee transportation is much more than a simple logistical formality. It's a key step that, if properly managed, allows the bean to be respected and fully revealed. Choosing a coffee produced with meticulous logistics extends the producer's efforts and ensures a tasting experience that is faithful to its origin.
