Patent ID: 6861086

Claim:
A method of processing roasted coffee to improve the retention of carbon dioxide and aromatics liberated from the roasted coffee, the method comprising the steps of: (i) preparing one or more containers for receiving coffee therein; (ii) purging said containers of contained air through flushing said containers with an inert gas; (iii) transporting and delivering roasted coffee to a grinding circuit; (iv) grinding said roasted coffee directly into a container filling apparatus; (v) with said container filling apparatus, delivering said ground coffee directly into said purged containers; and, (vi) sealing said containers to maximize the retention of carbon dioxide and aromatics liberated from said roasted coffee and to minimize contact of said ground roasted coffee with the air, wherein said step of grinding said roasted coffee directly into a container filling apparatus is carried out within a modified oxygen depleted atmosphere and said steps of grinding said roasted coffee directly into a container filling apparatus and delivering said ground coffee directly into said purged containers are completed with minimal delay between successive steps to minimize the loss of carbon dioxide gas liberated from said coffee and to minimize the degassification of said coffee prior to the sealing of said coffee within said containers.