How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans can go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is that you can preserve the fresh flavors for some weeks with a few simple tips. The elements of heat, moisture and air are your beans' most formidable enemies!

How do you keep coffee beans in storage

It's not a secret that coffee beans degrade rapidly. In order to enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it's essential to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused on how to best do this, though. Some people think 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 airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from the most formidable enemies that are moisture, air, and heat. Air can rob the beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture may weaken them too. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine too.

In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than helpful. They can absorb the flavors of other foods like onions and cheese in the fridge and alter the flavor of your espresso. They can also be exposed to condensation and moisture from the cold air in the refrigerator.

It is possible to store your beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to blow out all of the air before resealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark place. This can also make the beans last a bit longer, however the ideal time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

Most people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator, but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans in the fridge absorb moisture and food odors which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is a dark cabinet with an airtight, clear container.

If your beans don't come in a coffee bag equipped with a one way valve, you'll need to put them in a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. It's important that you note that the fridge could be a bit too cold for coffee, which could affect the taste of the coffee.

Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee bean. To maintain the freshness of your beans, place them in an opaque container (not transparent) 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 a refrigerator can help prolong its shelf life, but it's not recommended. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to deteriorate faster. Additionally the food and beverage smells from the fridge can also damage your 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 help preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen, heat, or moisture is in contact with the beans). Storing your coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or kitchen counter where they get direct sunlight isn't the ideal idea because these places can get very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture can be a major factor in the bean to Cup Coffee beans's flavor, since it can absorb moisture from the air. This can alter the natural flavors. It can also accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure that gives them their distinctive aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils and causes the coffee bean shop flavor to fade away.

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

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending $20 or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to know the best method of storing the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors and storing it in an airtight container in a cool, dark area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to store them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezing burn.

While freezing isn't a good idea however, it can be beneficial in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take some of your favorite coffee with you. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

It is recommended to use your beans as soon as you can however, we do not always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool place in an opaque airtight container and their shelf life could be extended by as much as 3 times. So, give the idea a go (be sure to follow the instructions above carefully) you might be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the dull and lifeless beans that rotted in the fridge or freezer.