How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans go bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.

You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by implementing a few guidelines. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' biggest enemies!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans break down quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it's essential to store them in a proper manner. Despite this, many are unsure of the best to go about it. Some think they can just put their beans in the fridge, but this isn't actually the best way to go about it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will shield the beans from the most formidable enemies that are moisture, air, and heat. The air can strip the beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture can weaken the beans as well. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can destroy their natural shine too.

In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than helpful. They could absorb the flavors and odors of food items in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They are also exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure you push out all the air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark and dry place. This method will also help the beans to last longer, but it is recommended to consume them within 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

Many people keep their coffee beans in the refrigerator but this isn't necessarily the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors from food and water and negatively impact their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight, clear container.

If your beans don't come in a bag with a one-way valve, you will need to transfer them into the container that is sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee beans in bulk, which may affect its taste.

The most common enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To preserve the freshness and quality of your coffee beans, keep them in a dark container (not transparent) at room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or a wardrobe could also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf life, but you might want to consider it. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to go through a stale-like process faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator can also affect the coffee beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

Once the seal has been broken on the beans, it's best to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal idea since these places could get very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is an important factor because beans absorb moisture from the air and this can dilute their natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation, as beans break the molecular structure that creates their distinctive aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose flavor.

If you can keep your beans in their resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to decay. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they could suffer from freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending $20 or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to know the best method to store them. Coffee absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors, so storing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool location will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be cautious if you do this, make sure to move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid freezing burn.

While freezing is not ideal it is a good coffee beans (zx.greit.si) option if have a limited period of time, or if you're on the road and want to bring along your favourite roast. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

It's best to use your beans as quickly as you can however, we do not always have the luxury of. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool space in a dark, airtight container their shelf life can be extended up to 3 times. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste when contrasted with beans that are rotten in the fridge or freezer.