How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans also go bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is that you can preserve your fresh flavors for a few weeks by following a few easy guidelines. The most formidable enemies of beans are moisture, air, and heat!

How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans

It's no secret that coffee beans go through a process of degradation quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, it's important to properly store them. However, a lot of people are confused as to how best to do it. Many people believe that they can just put their beans in the fridge but that's not the best way to do it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will shield the beans from the most formidable enemies which are air, moisture and heat. The air can rob beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture can weaken the beans as well. Heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.

In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They could absorb the flavors and odors of food items in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions which could negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They may also be exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they came in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to blow out all the air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in a cool, dark area. This will help the beans last a bit longer, however it is best to use them within 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb moisture and food odors, which will negatively impact their flavor. The best place to store your Unroasted Coffee beans is the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.

A coffee bag that has a one-way valve will work perfectly in the fridge, but if your beans aren't in this kind of packaging, you'll need to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which can affect the taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans keep them in a container that is opaque (not transparent), at room temperature. The best 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 will prolong the shelf-life of your coffee, but you might want to try it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. In addition, the moisture and food smells from the fridge can cause damage to your beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging of your beans has been broken, it is best to store them in a dark location at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the ideal idea because these places can get very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a major factor, as the beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can alter the natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat as the bean has the ability to degrade the molecular structures that give them their aromas and flavors. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose their taste.

If you're able keep your beans in the one-way valve bag that is resealable and resealable that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last about a week before they begin to degrade. They may last longer if you place them in the freezer, however you should be aware because the beans could be prone to freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it is crucial to determine the best way to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors which is why placing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you do this it's best to transfer them to the inside of a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing isn't the best option, it can be helpful if you have a short amount of time or you're on the road and want to bring along some of your favorite roast. The coffee beans that are frozen do not taste as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

As you can see it's ideal to use your coffee beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we aren't able to afford that. If you store your coffee beans in a dark roast coffee beans, cool container that is airtight and opaque container and their shelf life could be extended by as much as three times. If you decide to give your coffee beans near me a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you might be surprised at how much better the flavor of your coffee is compared to the dull and lifeless beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.