Blog entry by Mathew Deshotel

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How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a couple of weeks by following some simple guidelines. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' worst enemies!

How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you need to store them properly. Many people are confused about the best way to do this, though. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator but that's not the most efficient way to do it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will shield your beans from their most formidable enemies: air and moisture. The air can strip the beans of their fresh roasted flavor and moisture may weaken them too. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. light roast coffee beans (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.

In fact, keeping coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than useful. They may absorb the flavors and odors from other foods that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They also are exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.

Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they came in or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag prior to resealing it, and store it in a cool, dark space. This will help the beans to last longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

planet-java-medio-smooth-full-medium-roast-coffee-beans-1-x-1kg-bag-roasted-in-small-batches-in-the-uk-espresso-blend-for-all-coffee-machines-180.jpgThe majority of people store their Decaf Beans Coffee in the fridge but it's not an ideal idea. coffee bean company beans kept in the refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture and can alter their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee in is a dark cupboard with an airtight, transparent container.

If your beans don't come in a coffee bag with a single-way valve, you'll have to transfer them to a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which can alter the taste of the coffee.

Moisture, air and heat are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To preserve their roasted freshness you should store your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however cabinets or a wardrobe will also work. Storing coffee in the fridge can help extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to get stale faster. Additionally the moisture and food smells in the fridge can also damage your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

After the seal of the packaging has been broken on the beans, it's best to keep them in a dark place at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). The storage of your coffee beans near an oven or kitchen counter, or any other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight may be an unwise choice. These areas can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a big one because beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute their natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat because the bean can break down the molecular structures that provide them with their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor.

If you can keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container, the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to deteriorate. They can go longer if you store them in the freezer, however you must be cautious as the beans may suffer from freezer burn and they can also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer them.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

taylors-of-harrogate-rich-italian-coffee-beans-1-kg-pack-of-2-total-2kg-17097.jpgIf you're paying 20 bucks or more to purchase an expensive bag of cafe coffee beans beans, it's crucial to know how long they'll last and what the best methods are to keep them. Coffee absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors, so placing it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful when doing this, it's best to transfer them to a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing isn't the best option, it can help if you have a short amount of time or if you're on the road and want to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans will not be as fresh and will have a less subtle flavor than beans that were properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.

As you can see it's ideal to use your coffee beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we just don't have that luxury coffee beans. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cold location in an airtight, opaque container, their shelf life can be extended up to 3 times. So go ahead and give it a try (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the dull and lifeless beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.