How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana thrown on the counter coffee beans are prone to going bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is you can preserve those fresh roast flavors for several weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' most formidable enemies!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans break down quickly. To get the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to store them in a proper manner. However, many people aren't sure how best to do it. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator but that's not the best way to do it.

Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect your beans from the greatest threats which are air, moisture and heat. Air can rob the beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture could weaken them too. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also affect their natural shine.

In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than beneficial. They could absorb the flavors and odors of other food items in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions which can negatively affect the taste of your cafe coffee beans. They could also be exposed by the refrigerator's cool air to moisture and condensation.

Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they came in or in a resealable bag. Be sure to blow out all air prior to resealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark and dry place. This can also aid in keeping the beans fresh a bit longer, however the ideal time to use them is within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Most people store their coffee beans in the fridge, but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors of food and moisture and can negatively affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your gourmet coffee beans is a dark cabinet with an airtight, transparent container.

If your beans don't come in a online coffee beans (describes it) bag equipped with a single-way valve, you will need to move 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, and this can alter the taste of the coffee.

Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee bean. To keep their freshness and roast, it is recommended to store your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but cabinets or a wardrobe could also work. Storing coffee in the fridge will extend its shelf life, however it's not recommended. It can alter the flavor of your beverage and make them stale quicker due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and water in the refrigerator can damage your coffee beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

After the seal of packaging on the beans is broken, it is recommended to store them in a dark place at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your coffee bean coffee beans in an oven or kitchen counter space that is exposed to direct sunlight may be not a good idea. These places can get very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a major factor in the bean's flavor, since it absorb moisture in the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat because the bean can destroy the molecular structure which give them their flavors and aromas. Heating also strips the beans of its natural oils, which results in them losing taste.

If you're able keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then freshness should last for about a week before they begin to degrade. They may last longer if you place them in the freezer, but you should be aware because the beans might be prone to freezer burn and they can also absorb odors of food that are floating around in the freezer with them.

Storing bulk coffee beans Beans in the Freezer

If you're paying 20 bucks or more for the finest coffee beans, it's crucial to know how long they'll last and what the best methods are to keep them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture which is why keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark place will help to preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to store them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't ideal, it can be useful if you are short on time or traveling and want to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. Coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's ideal to use your coffee beans in a lickety-split fashion, but sometimes we simply don't have the luxury. The proper storage of your coffee beans online beans will extend their shelf-life up to three times if you store them in a cold dark location in an airtight container. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste when compared to the beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.