Mathew Deshotel

How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

You can preserve the fresh medium roast coffee beans flavor for a few weeks by implementing a few tips. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' most formidable enemies!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans are degraded quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, you have to store them in a proper manner. Many people are unsure of how best to do this, however. Some people believe that they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the best method.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect the beans from their most formidable enemies that are moisture, air, and heat. Air and moisture can cause beans to lose their fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also dilute them. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can destroy their natural shine, too.

In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They may absorb the flavors and odors of other foods in the refrigerator, such as cheese and onions which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They could also be exposed to condensation and moisture from the refrigerator's cold air.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they came in, or in a resealable bag. Make sure to push out all of the air before sealing the bag again, and store it in a cool, dark area. This method will also help the beans last longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator but this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in refrigerators absorb the smells of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your organic coffee beans is in the dark cabinet, with an airtight and opaque container.

A coffee beans for sale bag with a one-way valve will work perfectly in the fridge However, if your beans weren't packaged in this type of container, you'll need to move them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge might be a bit cold for coffee, which could affect the taste.

Moisture, air and heat are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To maintain the freshness of your beans, keep them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at the room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but an armoire or cabinet can also be used. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf-life, but you may want to test it. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to get stale faster. In addition the moisture and food odors in the fridge can affect the beans.

online coffee Beans beans are stored in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it is recommended to store them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter, or any other location that is exposed to direct sunlight can be an unwise choice. These places can get very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a big one since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can alter their natural flavors. The heat can also accelerate the process of the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure that provides them with their aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose their flavor.

If you can keep your beans in their sealed, resealable 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. You can store them longer in the fridge, however, be aware that they may be prone to freezer burn or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you are spending $20 or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's crucial to determine the best method of storing the beans. Coffee is sponges and absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark place in a airtight opaque container can help keep the taste protected. You can also freeze your beans, but be cautious if you do this it's best to transfer them to the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't a good coffee beans idea however, it can be beneficial if you are short on time or travel and wish to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. The coffee beans that are frozen do not taste as fresh and have a less distinct flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's recommended to use your beans with a single hand, but sometimes you simply don't have the luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool place in an opaque airtight container the shelf life of your coffee beans can be extended up to 3 times. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste compared to the beans that had gone to rot in the fridge or freezer.