How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.

The good news is that you can preserve those fresh flavors for a few weeks by following a few easy tips. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' biggest enemies!

How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans

It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Despite this, many people are unsure of how best to go about it. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best method for doing it.

The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will shield your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. Air and moisture can cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish their natural shine.

In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They can absorb the flavors of other foods, like onions and cheese in the refrigerator which can affect the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed to condensation and moisture due to the cold air in the refrigerator.

Consider storing your beans in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure to push out all the air prior sealing the bag again, and store it in a cool, dark location. This will help the beans to last a bit longer, but it's recommended to consume them within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Most people store their coffee beans in the fridge, but it's not a good idea. Lavazza Qualità Rossa Coffee Beans - Premium Roast 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 the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque container.

A coffee bag that has an one-way valve can work just fine in the refrigerator however if your beans aren't in this kind of packaging, you'll need to move them to a sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, and this can affect its taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you must store your beans in an airtight opaque (not transparent) container at temperatures of room temperature. A dark, cool and cool pantry is the Best Types Of Coffee Beans To Buy Online storage space, but a closet or cupboard can also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf life, but you may want to test it. It can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause them to go stale quicker due to its cold temperature. Additionally the moisture and food smells from the fridge can also harm your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

Once the seal has been broken on your beans, it's best to keep them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for some time (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal option because these areas can become very hot and will accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture can be a significant element, as beans can absorb moisture in the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. The heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation because the bean can break the molecular structure that gives them their aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their taste.

If you can keep your beans in their resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to degrade. You can store them for longer in the fridge however, be aware that they may be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending 20 dollars or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's crucial to determine the best method of storing them. Coffee absorbs flavor, aromas and moisture which is why placing it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to place them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing is not ideal it can be helpful if you have a short time frame or you're traveling and wish to bring along your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a less mild flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the fridge or in the pantry.

It is best to use the beans as soon as you can, Coffeee but we don't always have the luxury of. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly will extend their shelf-life up to three times if you store them in a cool, dark place in a sealed airtight container. So, give it a try (be sure to follow the instructions above carefully) you might be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste when compared to the dull and uninteresting beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.