How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

The good news is that you can preserve fresh roasted flavors for some weeks by following a few simple tips. The most formidable enemies of beans are air, moisture, and heat!

How to store coffee beans

It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, it's important to properly store them. Many people aren't sure how to best do this, however. Some people believe that they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the most efficient method.

The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from their biggest enemies: air and moisture. Moisture and air can both take away the beans' fresh-roasted flavor, and moisture can also weaken them. Heat will also break down the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine as well.

It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, fresh coffee beans near me like cheese and onions in the fridge which could affect the taste of your espresso. They also are exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.

Consider storing your beans either in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark location. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, but it's best to use them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing coffee beans in the Fridge

A majority of people keep their beans in the fridge, Coffee Beans to Buy but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food odors which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee in is a dark cabinet that has an airtight, opaque container.

If your beans aren't in a coffee bag equipped with an open valve, you will need to transfer them into containers that are tightly sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, which could alter the taste of the coffee.

Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee beans. To maintain the freshness of your coffee beans, store them in a dark container (not transparent), at temperatures that are at room temperature. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes could also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong the shelf-life of your coffee, but you might want to try it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. In addition the moisture and food smells that are present in the fridge could cause damage to your beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

Once the seal on the packaging on your beans is broken, it is recommended to keep them in a dark place at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven, kitchen counter or other location that is exposed to direct sunlight can be not a good idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is one of the main reasons because beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute their natural flavors. It can also accelerate the process of oxidation as the bean may destroy the molecular structure that gives them their aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils, causing the flavor to fade away.

If you store your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight container that is equivalent, they will stay fresh for approximately a week. They may last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you should be cautious as the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they may also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's important to know the best way to store them. Coffee is sponges that absorb moisture, aromas and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool, dark location in an airtight, opaque container can help keep the taste safe. You can also freeze your beans but be careful when doing this, you should transfer them to an Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing isn't ideal however, it can be beneficial if you are short on time or travel and wish to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. However, frozen coffee beans will not be as fresh and will have a more subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the fridge or pantry.

As you can see it's recommended to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we do not have the luxury of. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold place in an opaque airtight container their shelf life can be extended up to three times. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee bean club will taste compared to the beans that have been rotten in the freezer or fridge.