How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.

You can preserve the fresh roast taste for a few weeks by implementing a few tips. Your beans' worst enemies are air, moisture, and heat!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It's no secret that coffee beans degrade rapidly. To get the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Many people are unsure of how best to do this, though. 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 shield your beans from their biggest enemies: air and moisture. Air and moisture can take away the beans' fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also dilute them. Heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish the natural shine of the beans.

In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than useful. They could absorb the flavors of other food items, like onions and cheese in the fridge which could affect the taste of your espresso. They may also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Make sure to remove all air from the bag prior to sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark area. This can aid in keeping the beans fresh a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is within 72 hours after they have been roasted.

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 the refrigerator absorb odors from food and water which can adversely affect their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee in is a dark cabinet with an airtight and opaque container.

A coffee bag with a one-way valve works just fine in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged in this sort of packaging you'll need to move them into a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for illy Coffee beans the coffee, and this can affect its taste.

Air, heat and moisture are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you should keep your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. A cool, dark pantry is a great place to store them, but a closet or cupboard is also acceptable. Storing coffee in the fridge can help extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it isn't recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to get stale faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator can also affect the coffee beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

After the seal of the packaging has been broken on your beans, it's best to keep them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or kitchen counter where they get direct sunlight isn't the ideal idea since these places could become very hot and will accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a significant factor, as the beans can absorb moisture in the air. This can alter the natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat because the bean can disintegrate the molecular structures which give them their aromas and flavors. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their taste.

If you can keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag they came in, or in an airtight container that is equivalent in size, they'll be fresh for approximately a week. You can keep them longer in the fridge but be aware that they may suffer from freezer burns or absorb any odors of food in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending 20 dollars or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to understand the best method to store the beans. Coffee is like sponges and absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool, dark place in a airtight opaque container can help keep the taste safe. You can also freeze your beans, but be cautious if you do this, you should move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing isn't ideal however, it can be beneficial when you're short on time or you are traveling and want to take some of your favorite illy coffee beans with you. However, coffee beans that have been frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less subtle flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

It's best to use the beans as soon as is possible, but we don't always have the luxury of. Storing your coffee beans properly can extend their shelf-life by up to three times, if you're using them in a cool, dark place in an airtight opaque container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste contrasted with beans that had gone to rot in the fridge or freezer.