How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

You can keep the fresh flavor of roasted beans for a few weeks by following some simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' worst enemies!

How to keep coffee beans safe? Beans

It's no secret that coffee beans go through a process of degradation quickly. In order to enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it's essential to properly store them. However, coffee bean many people are unsure of the best to store them. Some people believe that they can place their beans into the fridge. This isn't the best method.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield your beans from two of their greatest enemies: air and moisture. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted flavor, and moisture can also make them taste weaker. The heat can also destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can ruin the natural shine of the beans as well.

In fact, storing coffee beans bulk buy beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than beneficial. They can absorb the flavors of other foods, like cheese and onions in the fridge which could affect the taste of your espresso. They are also exposed by the refrigerator's cool air to moisture and condensation.

Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Be sure to remove all air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in a cool, dark area. This will allow the beans to last longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing coffee beans in the Fridge

Most people store their beans in the refrigerator but it's not a good idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture, which can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight and transparent container.

A coffee bag that has one-way valves will work perfectly in the fridge However, if your beans aren't in this type of container, you'll need to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, which could affect its taste.

Air, heat and moisture are the main enemies of coffee beans. To maintain the freshness of your coffee beans store them in an opaque container (not transparent) at the room temperature. A cool, dark pantry is the perfect place to store them, however, a closet or cupboard can also be used. Storing coffee in a refrigerator can help extend its shelf life, but it's not recommended. It can affect the flavors of your beverage and make them stale quicker due to its cold temperature. Additionally the food and moisture smells in the fridge can affect the beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it's best to store them in a dark location at room temperature 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). The storage of your coffee beans near an oven or kitchen counter, or any other area where they are exposed to direct sunlight might be an unwise choice. These places can get very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is an important factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat because the bean can break down the molecular structures that provide them with their aromas and flavors. Heat also strips the bean of their natural oils which causes them to lose flavor.

If you store your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight container to it, they'll stay fresh for approximately a week. You can store them longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors of food in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're shelling out $20 or more for a haute bag of coffee beans, it's essential to know how long they'll last and what the best ways are to store them. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors and keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, but it is best to put them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't ideal however, it can be beneficial in the event that you're strapped for time or travel and wish to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's best to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we do not have the luxury of. Properly storing your Coffee Bean beans will extend their shelf-life at least three times if you're using them in a cold dark place in an airtight opaque container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste in comparison to beans that have been rotten in the freezer or fridge.