How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana thrown on the counter, coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is you can preserve those fresh roasted flavors for several weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Your beans' worst enemies are moisture, air and heat!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's no secret that top rated coffee beans beans are degraded quickly. In order to get the best flavor of your beans, it's important to properly store them. However, a lot of people are confused as to how best to do it. Some people think that they can place their decaf beans coffee in the fridge. This is not the best method.

Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies such as moisture, air and heat. Moisture and air can both rob the beans their fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also make them taste weaker. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin the natural shine of the beans as well.

It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They may absorb the flavors and odors of other food items in the refrigerator, like cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

Consider storing your beans either in the original container or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag prior to sealing it again, and then store it in a cool, dark place. This can also aid in keeping the beans fresh a bit longer, however the ideal time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

The majority types of coffee beans people store their beans in the refrigerator, but it's not an ideal solution. Coffee beans in the fridge absorb odors and moisture from food items and negatively impact their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet that has an airtight, opaque container.

If your beans don't come in a coffee bag equipped with a one way valve, you'll have to transfer them to containers that are tightly sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. It's important to note that the fridge can also be a bit too cold for specialty coffee beans, which can affect the taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To keep the freshness of your beans, place them in a dark container (not transparent) at the room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but a wardrobe or a cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee in a refrigerator will help extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. In addition the moisture and food smells in the fridge can also harm your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

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

Moisture is often a major element, as beans absorb moisture in the air. This can reduce the natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat as the bean has the ability to destroy the molecular structure that give them their flavors and aromas. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, causing the flavor to fade away.

If you are able to keep your beans in the resealable, one-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight opaque container that is equivalent and fresh, they should last for about one week. They will last longer if you put them in the freezer, but you should be cautious since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they may also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer them.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending $20 or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's essential to know the best method to store the beans. Coffee is sponges and absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors. Keeping it in a cool, dark place in a airtight opaque container will ensure that the flavor stays and aromas safe. You can also freeze the beans but it is recommended to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't ideal but it is a good option when you're short on time or you are traveling and want to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. However, the coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and will have a more bland flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

As you can see, it's best to use your beans in a lickety-split fashion, but sometimes we just don't have that luxury. Making sure that your buy coffee beans near me beans are stored properly can extend their shelf-life by up to three times if you keep them in a cool dark space in an airtight, opaque container. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste when contrasted with beans that had gone to rot in the fridge or freezer.