How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

You can keep the fresh medium roast coffee beans flavor for a couple of weeks by implementing a few guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' worst enemies!

How do you keep coffee beans in storage

It's no secret that coffee beans go through a process of degradation quickly. In order to get the most flavor out of your beans, it's important to properly store them. However, coffeebeans many people are confused as to how best to store their beans. Some people think that they can just put their beans into the fridge. This isn't the best method.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperatures. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies such as moisture, air and heat. Moisture and air can both ruin the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also dilute them. The heat can also destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can smudge their natural shine, too.

It's not a wise idea to store coffee beans in your refrigerator. They can absorb the flavor and odors of other foods in the refrigerator, such as cheese and onions which could negatively affect the flavor of your coffee. They may also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

Consider storing your coffeee beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure you push out all the air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark and dry place. This method can also make the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

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

A coffee bag with one-way valves will work perfectly in the fridge however if your beans didn't come in this sort of packaging you'll need to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge can also be a bit cold for coffee, which could alter the taste.

The main enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To maintain the freshness of your coffee beans place them in an opaque container (not transparent) at the room temperature. The best place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or wardrobes could also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf life, but you might want to consider it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to go through a stale-like process faster. In addition the food and beverage smells from the fridge can also harm your beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal on the beans is broken, it is recommended to keep them in a dark place at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of exposure to heat, oxygen and moisture). The storage of your coffee beans near an oven, kitchen counter or other area where they are exposed to direct sunlight might be a bad idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate the process of the process of oxidation.

Moisture can be a major element, as beans absorb moisture in the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat since the beans can disintegrate the molecular structures that give them their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the beans of their natural oils which makes them taste less.

If you store your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight, opaque container that's similar, they will stay fresh for about one week. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they may be prone to freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're paying 20 bucks or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, you need to know how long they will keep and what the best ways are to keep them. Coffee is like sponges and absorbs moisture, aromas, and flavors so keeping it in a cool dark location in an airtight, opaque container will keep the flavor safe. You can also freeze the beans but it is advisable to place them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't ideal, it can be useful in the event that you're strapped for time or are traveling and would like to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee bean shop beans that have been frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less bland flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

It is recommended to consume the beans as quickly as you can however, we may not always have the luxury of. The proper storage of your coffee beans can extend their shelf life by up to three times if you're using them in a cool dark place in a sealed airtight container. So go ahead and give it a shot (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you might be surprised by how much better the flavor of your coffee is compared to the dull and lifeless beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.