Mathew Deshotel

How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Just like a banana that's left on the counter for a few days, coffee bean suppliers beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile flavor compounds.

You can preserve the fresh roast flavor for a couple of weeks by following these simple guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' biggest enemies!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them properly. However, many people aren't sure how best to store their beans. Many people think they can just put their beans into the fridge. This is not 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 that are moisture, air, and heat. Moisture and air can both rob the beans their fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also weaken them. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can take away the natural shine of the beans as well.

In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They can absorb the flavor and odors from other foods that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions that can adversely affect the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

You may want to store your beans in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to remove all the air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in a cool, dark location. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, however it is best to use them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

A majority of people keep their beans in the refrigerator but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture and can affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is a dark cabinet with an airtight, transparent container.

A coffee bag with an one-way valve can work just fine in the fridge however if the beans didn't come in this type of packaging you'll need to move them into a tightly sealed and opaque container like a glass container or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge could be a little too cold for coffee beans wholesale suppliers, which may alter the taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To keep the freshness of your beans, keep them in an opaque container (not transparent) at the room temperature. A dark, cool, dark pantry is a great place to store them, however, a closet or cupboard can also work. Storing top rated coffee beans in a refrigerator will extend its shelf life, however it's not recommended. It can affect the flavors of your brew and even cause them to deteriorate quicker due to its cold temperature. Additionally the moisture and food smells from the fridge can also harm your beans.

Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry

After the seal of the packaging has been broken on your beans, it is best to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or counter where they receive direct sunlight isn't the most ideal idea because these places can get very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a major element, as beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can alter the natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat because the bean can destroy the molecular structure that give them their flavors and aromas. Also, heat deprives the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose their taste.

If you can keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight container that is similar, they will stay fresh for about a week. They can last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you should be aware since the beans may suffer from freezer burn, and they may also absorb odors from food that are floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're paying 20 dollars or more for a premium bag of Online Coffee Beans beans, you need to be aware of the length of time they'll last and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee is sponges and absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool dark location in an airtight, opaque container will help keep the flavor protected. You can also freeze the beans, but it is recommended to place them in a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.

Although freezing isn't ideal, it can be helpful if you have a limited period of time, or if you're on the road and want to bring along some of your favorite roast. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less distinct flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

As you can see, it's best to use your beans with a single hand, but sometimes you aren't able to afford that. Properly storing your coffee beans can extend their shelf life by up to three times if you're using them in a dark, cold space in an airtight, opaque container. So, give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you may be amazed by how much better the flavor of your cheap coffee beans is compared to the dull and uninteresting beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.