Blog entry by Mathew Deshotel
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana that is left on the counter coffee beans can go bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, you need to store them properly. Many people aren't sure how to go about this, though. Some think they can just put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to go about it.
Store your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will shield your beans from the two biggest enemies: air and moisture. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted flavor, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine as well.
In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than beneficial. They can absorb the flavors and odors of food items in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions which could negatively affect the flavor of your unroasted coffee beans. They could also be exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.
You may want to store your beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to blow out all air prior to resealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark place. This method will also help the beans last a bit longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators however this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container.
If your beans aren't in a bag with an open valve, you will need to transfer them to the container that is sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee, which may 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. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but a wardrobe or a cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee in a refrigerator will help extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it isn't recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee beans sale and cause it to become stale quicker. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator can affect the coffee beans.
Online coffee beans beans are stored in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging is broken on the beans, it's recommended 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 a time (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or counter where they get direct sunlight isn't a good idea since these places could become very hot and will accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a big one since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this could alter the natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat since the beans can disintegrate the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose flavor.
If you are able to keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight opaque container in size, they'll be fresh for about a week. You can store them longer in the fridge but be careful as they may suffer from freezer burns or absorb any odors of food in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're spending 20 dollars or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans delivery beans, it is important to understand the best way to store them. Coffee is a sponge and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark space in an airtight container will keep the flavor secure. You can also freeze the beans, but it is recommended to put them in the form of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.
Although freezing isn't the best option but it is a good option in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. Coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It's best to use your beans as soon as you can however, we may not always have that luxury coffee beans. The proper storage of your coffee beans can extend their shelf-life by at least three times if you keep them in a cool, dark space in an airtight, opaque container. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste when as compared to beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.