How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Just like a banana that's left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation and the loss of volatile flavor compounds.

You can preserve the fresh roast taste for a few weeks by following these simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' worst enemies!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Many people aren't sure how best to do this, however. Some people think that they can place their beans in the fridge. This is not the best method.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats that are moisture, air, and heat. Air and moisture can cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also dilute them. Also, heat can destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.

It's not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They can absorb the flavors and odors from other foods in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

It is possible to store your beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure you push out all of the air before sealing the bag, and store it in a cool, dark place. This will help the beans last longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

The majority of people store their beans in the fridge but this isn't an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food odors and can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet in an airtight, clear container.

A coffee bag that has a one-way valve works just fine in the refrigerator however if your beans didn't come in this type of container, you'll need to move them to a sealed and opaque container, such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee beans delivery, which could affect its taste.

The main enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To ensure freshness of the coffee beans, it is recommended to store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The ideal place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or wardrobes can also be used. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf-life, but you may want to try it. It can affect the flavors of your brew and even make them stale faster due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can also cause damage to your coffee beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging of your beans is broken, it's best to keep them in a dark location at temperatures of room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat 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 not a good idea. These areas can become very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a big one because the beans can absorb moisture from the air. This could alter the natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate oxidation because the bean can break the molecular structure that provides them with their aromas. Heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, which makes them taste less.

If you are able to keep your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight opaque container to it, they'll stay fresh for about one week. They can go longer if you put them in the freezer, but you have to be careful since the beans may be affected by freezer burn and they can also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer them.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're spending 20 bucks or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, you need to know how long they'll keep and what the best ways are to keep them. Online Coffee Beans absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors and storing it in an airtight container in a cool, dark area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezing burn.

While freezing is not ideal it could be beneficial if you have a short time frame or you're planning to travel and bring along your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a more subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or pantry.

It's recommended to consume the beans as soon as possible however, we don't always have that luxury. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool space in a dark, airtight container their shelf life can be extended by up to 3 times. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste as compared to beans that are rotten in the fridge or freezer.