How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana left on the counter for several days,
good coffee beans beans go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh roast taste for a couple of weeks by following a few simple guidelines. The most formidable enemies of beans are moisture, air, and heat!
How do you keep coffee beans in storage
It's no secret that coffee beans go through a process of degradation quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, you have to store them properly. Many people are confused on the best way to do this, though. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator, but this isn't actually the most efficient way to do it.
Store your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect the beans from their most formidable enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also dilute them. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans.
light roast coffee beans (especially sunlight) can also affect their natural shine.
In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They could absorb the flavors and odors of other food items that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They may also be exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they came in or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure to remove all air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark area. This method will also help the beans to last longer, but it is recommended to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the refrigerator, but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors and moisture from food items and can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.
If your beans aren't in a coffee bag equipped with a one-way valve, you'll need to transfer them into a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, such as the
quality coffee beans Gator canister. It's important that you note that the fridge might be a little cold for coffee, which can impact its taste.
Moisture, heat, and air are the main enemies of coffee
bean to cup coffee beans. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you should keep your beans in an airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. A cool, dark pantry is the ideal storage space, however a closet or cupboard is also acceptable. Storing coffee in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. The cold temperature can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to go through a stale-like process faster. Additionally, the moisture and food odors in the fridge can also damage your beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the seal on the packaging on the beans is broken, it's best to keep them in a dark place at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a long period of time (depending on how much oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or kitchen counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the ideal option as these places can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a major factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this can dilute their natural flavors. The heat can also accelerate the process of the process of oxidation as the bean may destroy the molecular structure, which provides them with their aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of their natural oils which causes them to lose taste.
If you are able to keep your beans in the sealed, resealable bag which they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to deteriorate. You can store them longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you are spending $20 or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's crucial to determine the best method of storing them. Coffee is like sponges that absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Keeping it in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container will keep the flavor and aromas safe. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you decide to do this, it's best to transfer them to an Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid freezer burn.
While freezing isn't a
good quality coffee beans idea but it can be helpful when you're short on time or travel and wish to take some of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans frozen aren't as fresh and will have a less mild flavor than beans that are properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.
It's best to use your beans as quickly 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're using them in a dark, cold location in an airtight container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste compared to the beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.