How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
The good news is you can preserve your fresh roasted flavors for several weeks with a few simple guidelines. Your beans' worst enemies are moisture, air and heat!
How to Store Coffee Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you have to store them properly. However, a lot of people aren't sure how best to store their beans. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the fridge, but this isn't actually the best way to go about it.
The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperatures. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture may weaken them as well. Heating can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine as well.
It's not a good idea to store coffee beans in your refrigerator. They can absorb the flavors of other foods, such as cheese and onions in the fridge and alter the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure you push out all of the air before sealing the bag and then store it in a cool, dark and dry place. This can also help the beans last a little longer, but the best time to use them is within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the refrigerator but this isn't a good idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. coffee beans bulk buy to store your coffee is in the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque container.
If your beans don't come in a bag that has a one-way valve, you'll need to put them in an container that is sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge may be a little too cold for coffee, which may affect the taste of the coffee.
Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee bean. To maintain the freshness of your roasted beans, store them in a dark container (not transparent) at temperatures that are at room temperature. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however an armoire or cabinet can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf life, but you might want to consider it. It can affect the flavors of your coffee and cause them to deteriorate more quickly due to the cold temperature. Additionally the food and beverage odors in the fridge can cause damage to your beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
Once the seal on the packaging on your beans has been broken, it is best to keep them in a dark location at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will help preserve the aroma, flavor, 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 coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal option because these areas can get very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture can be a major aspect, since beans absorb moisture in the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation as the bean may break the molecular structure that 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, the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to deteriorate. They may last longer if you place them in the freezer, however you should be aware since the beans may be affected by freezer burn and they could also absorb odors of food that are floating around in the freezer with them.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're paying 20 dollars or more for a haute bag of coffee beans, it's crucial to be aware of how long they'll keep and what the best methods are to keep them. Coffee is like a sponge and can absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool, dark place in a airtight opaque container will ensure that the flavor stays secure. You can also freeze the beans, but it is advisable to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezer burn.
While it's not ideal however, it can be beneficial in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take some of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans frozen aren't as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It's recommended to use the beans as soon as you can however, we don't always have that luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold location in an airtight, opaque container their shelf life can be extended by up to 3 times. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste compared to the beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.