How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is due oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

You can keep the fresh flavor of roasted beans for a couple of weeks by implementing a few tips. The most formidable enemies of beans are air, moisture, and heat!

How do you keep coffee beans in storage

It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Despite this, many are unsure of the best to store them. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to do it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield your beans from their biggest enemies: moisture and air. Moisture and air can both rob the beans their fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also weaken them. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light roast coffee beans (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine too.

In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than useful. They can absorb the flavors of other foods like onions and cheese in the refrigerator, which will affect the taste of your espresso. They are also exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

Consider storing your beans in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to blow out all the air prior sealing the bag and then store it in a cool, dark location. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, but it's ideal to use them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator however this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb odors and moisture from food items and can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight, clear container.

A coffee bag that has an one-way valve can work just fine in the refrigerator However, if your beans weren't packaged in this kind of packaging, it is necessary to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge may be a little cold for coffee, which may affect the taste.

Moisture, air and heat are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To ensure the freshness of your beans, keep them in a dark container (not transparent), at the room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but an armoire or cabinet will also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge will extend its shelf life, but it isn't recommended. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to go through a stale-like process faster. Additionally the food and moisture smells from the fridge can also damage your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

After the seal of the packaging has been broken on your beans, it is best to store them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a time (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your coffee beans near an oven, kitchen counter or other location that is exposed to direct sunlight may be not a good idea. These areas can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a major element, as beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can break the molecular structure that creates their distinctive aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose flavor.

If you store your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is similar and fresh, they should last for approximately a week. You can store them for longer in the refrigerator, but be cautious as they could suffer from freezer burn or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're spending 20 bucks or more to purchase a premium bag of coffee beans it's important to be aware of the length of time they'll last and what the best ways are to store them. Coffee is like sponges and absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors. Keeping it in a cool, dark space in an airtight container will help keep the flavor safe. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to store them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

Although freezing isn't the best option however, it can be beneficial in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans frozen aren't as fresh and will have a less bland flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's recommended to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we do not have the luxury of. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly will extend their shelf-life at least three times if you're using them in a dark, cold location in an airtight container. Give it a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be surprised at how much better the flavor of your coffee beans price is compared to the dull and stale beans that went bad in the fridge or freezer.