My friend received a bag of coffee beans, and her first reaction was to vigorously squeeze the small round hole on the packaging, exclaiming, "It smells so good!" To be honest, the aroma was indeed very therapeutic, but if you want these beans to brew well later, this action should really be avoided.
Freshly roasted coffee beans actually need time to "breathe," and they typically release carbon dioxide slowly during the first week. The purpose of that valve is simple: to let excess gases escape while firmly keeping outside air and moisture from entering and spoiling the beans. If you keep squeezing it, not only will it accelerate the loss of aroma, but it will also disrupt the pressure balance inside the bag, thereby affecting the bean's "resting" process. So, for a perfect cup of coffee, next time you feel the urge to squeeze, hold back.