Why are my coffee beans oily? You might have wondered when you found coffee beans with a slight layer of oil on them. An oily coating on coffee beans can indicate two things.
On one hand, it can be a sign of high-quality beans. On the other hand, it may lead to changes in flavor and overall quality. Some people even worry that the oil could potentially damage the brewing equipment.
But why are some coffee beans oily? Does oily coffee have a positive or negative impact on us? Take it easy. If you’ve ever wondered about that, we’re bringing you a complete guide on what causes coffee beans to be oily and tips on how to deal with it.
Table of Contents
Why Are Some Coffee Beans Oily?
This explanation of why are some coffee beans oily is due to natural processes. Where does the oil on coffee beans come from?
The oil comes from the natural lipids in the coffee beans. Usually, this oil is released due to excessive heat generated during the roasting process of coffee up to the dark roast levels.
In light or medium roast levels, these oils are still trapped inside the beans. The surface of these coffee beans also remains dry to the naked eye.
The variety of coffee used also has an effect. Robusta coffee tends to be more oily due to its higher fat content than Arabica.
Some Coffee Beans that Tend to be Oily
Now that we know why are coffee beans oily, let’s discuss some types of coffee beans that tend to be oily.
1. French Roast
The first type of coffee that tends to be oily is French roast coffee. You can clearly see the oil layer on its surface. Even so, this layer gives the coffee a dominant and slightly bitter flavor. Suitable for intense coffee lovers to enjoy.
2. Espresso Roast
Like French roast, espresso roast also goes through a long roasting process. This is what causes the coffee beans to taste quite oily.
Even so, this long roasting process produces coffee beans with a reasonably intense flavor and aroma. When processed into espresso drinks, the taste is rich and thick.
3. Italian Roast
Still with a similar roast variety, Italian roast is one of the dark and oily types of coffee beans. However, the difference lies in its taste, which is quite bitter and has a caramel-like aftertaste. You can use it as a base for making a cappuccino or latte.
4. Sumatra Mandheling
The next oily coffee comes from Indonesia, Sumatra Mandheling. Even so, this layer of oil can give coffee flavors that tend to be complex. It matches the nuances of spices and natural chocolate.
Also read: The Richness of Mandheling Specialty Coffee: A Gourmet Journey
5. Dark Roast Colombian
Generally, Colombian coffee has a balanced flavor between sweet and sour. This coffee may release some oil due to its long roasting process.
6. Brazilian Santos
Brazilian Santos coffee is typically roasted to a medium-dark roast levels. This makes these beans present as one type of coffee beans with a reasonably oily appearance.
As for the taste, this coffee offers a unique flavor that combines the nuances of nuts and chocolate with the bitterness of coffee.
7. Hawaiian Kona (Dark Roast)
The last type of oily coffee is Hawaiian Kona, a high-quality coffee. When roasted, this coffee will release oil on its surface, while producing a sweet coffee with its signature floral aroma!
Also read: Be the Master! 4 Coffee Roasting Levels Chart with Image & Guide
Are Oily Coffee Beans Bad?
In small amounts, the oil on the coffee beans to be processed will not be harmful. These oils even play an active role in giving flavor and aroma to your coffee.
Generally, coffee beans processed with dark roast techniques have a reasonably heavy flavor-even dominantly bitter or smokey. If this oil content is too much and oxidized, the quality of the coffee served may not reach its optimal results.
How will oily beans affect the taste of your coffee? For example, coffee with oxidized oil will result in a rancid and bitter-tasting beverage. This can undoubtedly detract from the complex flavors and freshness naturally present in coffee beans.
Can Oily Coffee Affect the Packaging?
The oil on the surface of these beans can oxidize more quickly if you store them in less airtight containers. The quality of the coffee’s flavor and aroma will also change drastically. It is very different from properly stored coffee beans.
Besides the taste, oily coffee can also affect the packaging used. For example, this oil residue sticks more to the walls of the coffee packaging.
If left too long, this packaging becomes less hygienic for storing coffee in the long run. Not only that, this oil layer also causes an unpleasant odor. Unfortunately, this odor will be challenging to remove. This can be pretty inconvenient if you want to reuse the container to stock up on fresher coffee.
Also read: Coffee Filter Sizes and Types: A Complete Guide to Choosing One
How do Oily Beans Affect Espresso Machines?
Aside from the packaging, some people are afraid that oily beans will damage their espresso machines. Why would this happen? Here are some stages of how a batch of oily beans can affect the quality of the espresso machine used.
1. Grinder blockage
The main problem with oily coffee beans is that they cause oil residue to collect on the grinder components. If left unchecked, this oil will inhibit the grinding mechanism of the coffee beans. In fact, your grinder may not work optimally- to the point where it stops working!
This oil residue also affects the fineness of the ground coffee produced. Whether or not the coffee is smooth also affects the flavor quality of the drink served.
2. Increases the Risk of Overheating of the Grinder
Not only clogging the coffee grinder, but the espresso machine’s airflow can also be disrupted. Over time, the temperature in the grinder will increase due to a lack of ventilation. Sooner or later, this process will result in your espresso machine overheating, which will only last for a short time.
3. Residue on the Espresso Machine
Not only the grinder but also oil from coffee beans can leave a somewhat sticky residue on the internal parts of the espresso machine, such as the portafilter, group head, and boiler.
When left for too long, this oil residue tends to be challenging to clean, affecting the flavor of the coffee being ground. Also, the accumulated oils are also an ideal place for bacteria to grow in your coffee.
4. Lowers Extraction Consistency
The oil residue on your espresso machine may block the water during coffee extraction. As a result, this process results in inconsistently flavored coffee that is either too bitter or sour.
5. Increases Maintenance Costs
If you use oily coffee beans regularly, your espresso machine may require frequent cleaning and more complex maintenance. You will also have to replace parts frequently as they break down faster than usual.
What to Do If You Have Been Using Oily Coffee Beans?
However, if you have already been using oily coffee beans and are causing problems with your espresso machine, apply the following steps.
Clean the coffee machine thoroughly with a unique tool, tablet or liquid cleaner. Do it regularly so that your machine can still work optimally.
Next, replace your coffee beans with drier ones like light or medium roast. If you prefer dark roast Coffee’s taste and texture, you should clean the machine frequently to avoid the buildup of oil residue.
How to Avoid Oily Coffee Beans
Besides recognizing why coffee beans are oily, you also need to understand how to avoid oily coffee beans. Here is how to choose the right coffee beans.
1. Choose the Right Roasting Level
To reduce the oil residue on the surface of coffee, you should choose beans processed with a lighter roast, such as light or medium. This often results in a final brew that is more complex and lighter in flavor.
2. Store Properly
Maintain the quality of your coffee beans by implementing proper storage methods. An opaque, airtight container is the best option. This will help protect the coffee from oxygen contamination, moisture, and even direct light exposure.
Also, try to store roasted coffee beans only for a short time. The longer they are stored, the more potential for these beans to release oils due to their roasting.
3. Choose Coffee from the Right Variety
To avoid oily coffee beans, you should choose high-quality Arabica coffee. Generally, this type of coffee provides a complex flavor without a layer of oil.
4. Avoid Very Dark Roasted Coffee
While dark roast coffee beans are in high demand for their bitter and smokey flavor, the truth is that they are more likely to be oily. For this reason, it’s best to avoid French Roast or Italian Roast variations because of their high roasting levels.
Instead, choose city roast or full city roast coffee beans. These roasts allow you to brew coffee that is balanced in flavor without excessive oil on the surface.
5. Buy Coffee in Small Quantities
The last tip to avoid oily coffee beans is to consume them before they are over-oxidized. The sooner they are consumed, the less likely they are to develop an oily coating on the surface.
Be Wise in Choosing and Using Oily Coffee Beans
After learning why some coffee beans are oily, we can conclude that this happens naturally. Whether it’s the variety of coffee you choose or the roasting process that takes too long, you can still prevent it if you take the proper steps.
We recommend that you replace the dark roast coffee with a lighter variety. This way, your espresso machine can live longer and make the most delicious homemade coffee to your taste! Want to enjoy coffee with the best flavor and taste? Find various types of Indonesia Arabica Coffee Beans at FnB Coffee!
Of the several types available, we export these best coffees from the best coffee supply areas, from Sumatra to Sulawesi. Do you still need to decide which type of coffee is the best? You can contact our team or check out some of our best-sellers.
What are you waiting for? Get your premium quality coffee beans from FnB Coffee for the perfect cup of coffee to enjoy every day at home!
