How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

The good news is you can preserve the fresh flavors for up to a week by following a few easy tips. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' worst enemies!

How do you keep coffee beans in storage

It's not a secret that coffee beans break down quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Despite this, many are unsure of how best to do it. Some people think that they can simply put their beans in the fridge. This isn't the best way to go about 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 rob beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture can weaken the beans as well. Also, heat can destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also affect the natural shine of the beans.

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

Consider storing your beans either in the original container or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure you remove all the air from the bag before sealing it and storing it in a cool, dark place. This method can also make the beans last a little longer, but the best time to use them is within 72 hours after they have been roasted.

Storing coffee beans in the Fridge

The majority of people store their beans in the refrigerator however it's not the best idea. coffee beans unroasted beans in the fridge absorb odors of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee in is the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque container.

If your beans aren't in a coffee bag with a single-way valve, you'll have to put them in containers that are tightly sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. It's important to remember that the fridge may be a little too cold for coffee, which could alter the taste.

Air, heat and moisture are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To preserve the freshness and high quality coffee beans of your roasted beans, store them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at ambient temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, however cabinets or a wardrobe could also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can extend its shelf-life, but you may want to test it. It can alter the flavor of your brew and even cause them to become stale more quickly due to the cold temperature. In addition the food and beverage odors in the fridge can affect the beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging of your beans has been broken, Cafe Coffee Beans it is best to store them in a dark location at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your coffee for a long period of time (depending on the amount of oxygen, heat, or moisture is in contact with the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal idea because these places can be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a major factor because beans absorb moisture from the air, and this can alter their natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation, as beans alter the molecular structure which provides them with their aromas. The heat also strips the beans of their natural oils, which results in them losing taste.

If you're able to keep your beans in the sealed, resealable bag that they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last about a week before they begin to deteriorate. They may last longer if they are placed in the freezer, however you must be cautious 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 are spending $20 or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it is important to know the best method to store them. Coffee is a sponge and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors. Keeping it in a cool dark location in an airtight, opaque container will help keep the flavor secure. You can also freeze your beans but be cautious if you do this, you should transfer them to the inside of a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.

Although freezing isn't the best option, it can be useful when you're running out of time or you are traveling and want to take some of your favorite luxury coffee beans with you. However, coffee beans that have been frozen aren't as fresh and will have a less muted flavor than beans that are properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.

As you can see it's best to use your beans as a whole but sometimes we aren't able to afford that. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool location in an airtight, opaque 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 beans price will taste compared to the beans that are rotten in the freezer or fridge.