How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

The good news is you can preserve those fresh roasted flavors for some weeks with a few simple guidelines. The elements of heat, moisture and air are your beans' worst enemies!

How to keep coffee beans safe? Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. In order to enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Despite this, many people are unsure of the best to do it. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best way to do it.

The key is to keep your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperatures. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats such as moisture, air and heat. Air can rob the beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture could weaken them too. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine, too.

It is not a good idea to keep coffee beans in your refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods like onions and cheese in the fridge, which will alter the taste of your espresso. They could also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

Consider storing your beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure you remove all the air from the bag prior to resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool place. This can also aid in keeping the beans fresh longer, but the ideal time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators, but this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors from food and water and negatively impact their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight Spiller And Tait Super Crema Espresso Coffee Beans opaque container.

A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work perfectly in the fridge however if the beans aren't in this kind of packaging, you'll need to move them into a tightly sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to remember that the fridge could be a little cold for coffee, which could alter the taste.

The main enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To keep their freshness and roast, you must store your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but an armoire or cabinet can also be used. The storage of coffee in the fridge will help extend its shelf life, but it isn't recommended. It can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause them to become stale faster due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can cause damage to your coffee beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging is broken on your beans, it's best to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on how much oxygen or heat is absorbed by the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the ideal idea since these places could become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is an important factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this can reduce their natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation, as beans alter the molecular structure which gives them their distinctive aromas. Also, heat deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor.

If you are able to keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight opaque container that is equivalent to it, they'll stay fresh for about a week. You can store them for longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they may suffer from freezer burns or absorb any food odors in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

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

Although freezing isn't ideal, it could be beneficial if you have a limited amount of time or if you're traveling and want to take along a cup of your favorite roast. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a weaker flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

It's recommended to consume the beans as soon as possible however, we do not always have that luxury. The proper storage of your coffee beans can extend their shelf life by up to three times if you store them Indulge in Rich and Decadent Dark Chocolate Coffee a dark, cold space in an airtight, opaque container. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste contrasted with beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.