How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.

You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a couple of weeks by following a few simple tips. Your beans' worst enemies are moisture, air and heat!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. In order to maximize the flavor of your beans, it's important to properly store them. Despite this, many are unsure of how best to store their beans. Many people think they can just put their beans in the fridge. This is not the most efficient method.

Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield your beans from the two biggest enemies: air and moisture. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh roast flavor, and the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin the natural shine of the beans as well.

In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They may absorb the flavor of other foods, such as cheese and onions in the refrigerator, which will affect the taste of your espresso. They are also exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure to remove all air from the bag prior to sealing it and storing it in a dark, cool place. This can also help the beans to last longer, but it's best to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

Most people store their beans in the refrigerator but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet with an airtight, opaque container.

A coffee bag that has one-way valves will work perfectly in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged in this type of container, you'll have to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, and this can affect the taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To preserve their roasted freshness you should store your beans in an airtight opaque (not transparent) container at room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however an armoire or cabinet will also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf-life, however you might want to consider it. The cold temperature can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to deteriorate faster. In addition, the moisture and food odors in the fridge can affect the beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging is broken on your beans, it's recommended to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a time (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in an oven, kitchen counter or other location that is exposed to direct sunlight could be an unwise choice. These areas can become very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is a major factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can alter their natural flavors. It can also accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure, which creates their distinctive aromas. Heating also strips the beans of their natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.

If you store your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight container, they will stay fresh for approximately one week. They will last longer if they are placed in the freezer, however you should be aware since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they can also absorb food odors floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're spending $20 or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it is crucial to determine the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors which is why storing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, but it is recommended to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag prior Coffeee.uk to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.

While it's not ideal, it can be useful when you're running out of time or travel and wish to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans that have been frozen aren't as fresh and will have a more mild flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's best to use your beans as a whole but sometimes we just don't have that luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool place in an opaque airtight container and their shelf life could be extended by up to three times. You may be surprised by how much better the strong coffee beans will taste in comparison to beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.