How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana that is left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.

You can keep the fresh roast flavor for a few weeks by implementing a few tips. The beans' biggest enemies are air, moisture, and heat!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. In order to get the most flavor out of your beans, it's important to store them properly. However, a lot of people are unsure of how best to do it. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the fridge but that's not the best way to go about it.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight and opaque container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from the two biggest enemies: air and moisture. The air can strip the beans of their fresh-roasted taste and moisture could weaken the beans as well. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine too.

It's not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They may absorb the flavors and odors of other foods that are stored in the refrigerator like onions and cheese which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They could also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag prior to sealing it again, and then store it in a dark, cool location. This will also help the beans last a bit longer, however the best time to use them is within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

The majority of people store their beans in the fridge but this isn't a good idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture and can alter their flavor. The best place to keep your Amazon Coffee Beans is in a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight and transparent container.

A coffee bag with a one-way valve works perfectly in the fridge However, if your beans weren't packaged in this kind of packaging, you'll need to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important that you note that the fridge might be a little cold for coffee, which can alter the taste.

The most common enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you should store your beans in an airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or wardrobes will also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge will help extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. It could alter the flavor of your beverage and make them stale more quickly due to the cold temperature. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator could cause damage to your coffee beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging of your beans has broken, it is recommended to store them in a dark place at room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter place where they are exposed to direct sunlight can be an unwise choice. These areas can become very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is one of the main reasons since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air, and this can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat since the beans can disintegrate the molecular structures that provide them with their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the bean to cup coffee beans of its natural oils, causing them to lose their flavor.

If you are able to keep your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight container to it, they'll stay fresh for approximately a week. You can store them longer in the fridge but be careful as they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're shelling out 20 bucks or more to purchase a haute bag of coffee beans, it's crucial to know how long they'll last and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors, so storing it in an airtight container in a dark, cool area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, but it is advisable to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing is not ideal it is a good option if have a limited period of time, or if you're traveling and wish to bring along some of your favorite roast. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less muted flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or pantry.

It is recommended to use the beans as soon as possible however, we do not always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cold container that is airtight and opaque container their shelf life can be extended up to three times. So go ahead and give the idea a go (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you may be amazed by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and lifeless beans that went bad in the fridge or freezer.