Bean Freshness Tracker
Fresh beans are the biggest upgrade in espresso — and the cheapest. Log each bag's roast date and this tracker shows its age, freshness status, and peak drinking window. Saved on your device, no signup.
The quick version of resting and degassing
Right after roasting, beans are full of trapped CO2. Brew them immediately and that gas fights the water — you get wild, uneven shots and crema that looks impressive but tastes hollow. Let the bag rest 2–3 days and the gas settles into a range where extraction is even and flavors come through clearly. Darker roasts degas a bit faster; very light roasts can want a full week.
The freshness curve
Days 3–14 after roasting are peak for espresso: aromatics are loud, crema is rich, and the coffee is forgiving. Days 15–30 it fades gradually — still good, just quieter, and you'll find yourself grinding a touch finer to keep body. Past 30 days, it's stale for espresso: thin crema, flat flavor. Demote it to drip or cold brew duty and open a fresh bag.
How to use this tracker
When you open a new bag, enter its roast date (printed on the bag — if there's no roast date, that's a red flag) and a name, then hit "Add bag." Each card shows days since roast, a freshness badge, and your drink-by window. Everything is saved in your browser on this device, so your bags are still here next time you visit. Use the "Remove" link when a bag is finished.
The shortcut
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What is degassing, and why do beans need to rest?
Freshly roasted coffee releases CO2 for several days — this is degassing. Brewing during peak degassing gives wild, uneven shots with big bubbly crema. Resting 2–3 days (espresso) lets the gas settle so extraction is even and flavors are clear.
How long do espresso beans stay fresh after roasting?
For espresso, the sweet spot is roughly days 3–14 after roasting. From day 15–30 the coffee fades gradually — still drinkable, less vibrant. Past 30 days off roast it is stale for espresso purposes, though it works fine in a drip brewer.
Does the roast date matter more than the expiration date?
Yes — for espresso, always buy by roast date, not best-by date. Best-by dates can be months out and tell you nothing about freshness. Bags without a roast date printed on them are a red flag for espresso use.
Where is my bean data stored?
Only in your browser's localStorage on this device. Add as many bags as you like — no account, no signup, nothing sent to a server. Use the Remove link to delete a bag.