How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana left on the counter Bulk coffee beans beans can turn bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.

The good news is you can preserve your fresh roasted flavors for some weeks by following a few easy tips. Your beans' greatest enemies are moisture, air, and heat!

How do you store coffee beans

It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To maximize the flavor of your beans, it's essential to properly store them. Many people are unsure of how to go about this, however. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to go about it.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from their biggest enemies: air and moisture. The air can strip the beans of their fresh-roasted taste and moisture can weaken the beans' flavor. Heat will also break down the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine too.

In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They can absorb the flavors of other foods, such as onions and cheese in the refrigerator and alter the flavor of your espresso. They also are exposed to condensation and moisture from the frig's cold air.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Make sure you remove all the air from the bag before resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool area. This can also aid in keeping the beans fresh for a longer time, but the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

Most people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator but it's not an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb odors from food and water and can negatively affect their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.

A coffee bag that has an one-way valve can work perfectly in the fridge however if the beans aren't in this sort of packaging it is necessary to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, which could affect its taste.

Moisture, heat, and air are the main enemies of coffee beans. To ensure the freshness of your speciality coffee beans beans store them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at ambient temperature. The ideal place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes could also work. Storing coffee in the refrigerator will extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. It could alter the flavor of your brew and even cause them to go stale faster due to its cold temperature. Additionally the food and beverage smells in the fridge can cause damage to your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your 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 time (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counter where they receive direct sunlight isn't a good option because these areas can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a major aspect, since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat as the bean has the ability to destroy the molecular structure that give them their flavors and aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of their natural oils which makes them taste less.

If you're able keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container then their freshness will last approximately a week before they start to degrade. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, however, be aware that 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 spending 20 dollars or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it is important to understand the best method of storing them. coffee beans in bulk absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors, so placing it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space 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 freezing burn.

While freezing is not ideal it could be beneficial if you have a short period of time, or if you're planning to travel and take along a cup of your favourite roast. However, coffee beans that have been 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's recommended to consume the beans as quickly as you can however, we don't always have the luxury of. Storing your speciality coffee beans beans properly will extend their shelf-life at least three times if you keep them in a dark, cold place in a sealed airtight container. Give it a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste when compared to the dull and lifeless beans that went bad in the fridge or freezer.