How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Just like a banana that's left on the counter for several days, coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.

You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by following a few simple guidelines. The beans' biggest enemies are air, moisture, and heat!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it's important to store them properly. Many people are confused on the best way to do this, however. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best way to go about it.

The key is to keep your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperature. This will shield your beans from two of their greatest enemies: moisture and air. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture could weaken the beans' flavor. Heat can also destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also affect the natural shine of the beans.

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

Instead, you can store your beans in the container they came in or in a resealable bag. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag prior to sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark place. This can also help the beans last longer, but it is best to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

A majority of people keep their beans in the refrigerator however it's not an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb moisture and food smells, which can negatively affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet that has an airtight, transparent container.

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

Air, heat and moisture are the primary enemies of highest rated coffee beans; click through the next article, bean to cup coffee beans. To ensure the freshness of your beans, store them in a container that is opaque (not transparent), at temperatures that are at room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or wardrobes could also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge will help extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. It can alter the taste of your beverage and cause them to go stale quicker due to its cold temperature. Additionally the food and moisture smells from the fridge can affect the beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

After the seal of packaging on your beans is broken, it is recommended to store them in a dark place at room temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on how much oxygen, heat, or moisture is exposed to the beans). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or counter where they receive direct sunlight isn't the best option as these places can be extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is a big one because beans absorb moisture from the air and this could alter the natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can break the molecular structure that provides them with their aromas. The heat also strips the beans of its natural oils, which results in them losing taste.

If you can keep your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is similar and fresh, they should last for about one week. You can keep them longer in the fridge, but be careful as they may suffer from freezer burn or absorb any odors of food in the fridge.

Storing 500g coffee beans beans in the freezer

If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet strong coffee beans beans, it is important to know the best method of storing the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors, so placing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool place will help to preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you decide to do this it's best to move them into a Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezing burn.

Although freezing isn't the best option, it can be useful in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. However, the coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

It is recommended to use the beans as soon as possible however, we do not always have that luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool place in an opaque airtight container their shelf life can be extended by up to three times. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste when in comparison to beans that have been rotten in the fridge or freezer.