How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana that is left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is due oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a couple of weeks by implementing a few tips. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to store Coffee Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you need to store them properly. However, many people are unsure of how best to go about it. Many people think they can place their beans into the fridge. This is not the best option.
The key is storing your beans in an airtight and opaque container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats such as moisture, air and heat. Air and moisture can take away the beans' fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also dilute them. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than helpful. They could absorb the flavors and odors of other foods in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions which could negatively affect the flavor of your coffee. They could also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the cold air in the refrigerator.
Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark location. This can help the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the fridge however it's not an ideal solution. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work just fine in the refrigerator however if your beans didn't come in this type of container, you'll have to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, which can affect its taste.
Moisture, heat and air are the main enemies of coffee bean. To preserve the freshness of their roast, it is recommended to store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at temperatures of room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, but a wardrobe or a cabinet could also work. Storing
Cheap Coffee Beans in a refrigerator can help extend its shelf life, but it isn't recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. In addition the food and moisture smells that are present in the fridge could affect the beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
After the seal of the packaging has been broken on the beans, it's best to store them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the
coffee beans for sale for some time (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or kitchen counter where they get direct sunlight isn't a good option as these places can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a big one because beans absorb moisture from the air and this can dilute their natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure that creates their aromas. Heating also strips the beans of its natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.
If you keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight container that's similar to it, they'll stay fresh for approximately one week. They can go longer if you store them in the freezer, but you have to be careful since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they could also absorb odors from food that are floating around in the freezer them.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's important to know the best method of storing the beans. Coffee is sponges and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors, so keeping it in a cool, dark place in an airtight opaque container will keep the flavor protected. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to store them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezing burn.
While freezing is not ideal it can help if you have a short time frame or you're on the road and want to take along a cup of your favourite roast. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a more mild flavor than beans that were properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.
It's best to use your beans as soon as is possible however, we do not always have that luxury. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly will extend their shelf-life up to three times if you store them in a dark, cold space in an airtight, opaque container. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste when as compared to beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.