How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

You can keep the fresh roast taste for a few weeks by following some simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans’ worst enemies!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It’s not a secret that coffee beans degrade rapidly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, you have to store them properly. Many people aren’t sure how to best do this, however. Some people believe that they can just put their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the best option.

Store your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect the beans from the most expensive coffee beans formidable enemies which are air, moisture and heat. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted flavor, and the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also degrade the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can smudge their natural shine, too.

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

Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Make sure to push out all of the air before sealing the bag again, and then store it in a cool, dark location. This can aid in keeping the beans fresh for a longer time, but the ideal time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators however this isn’t a great idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food smells, which can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee in is a dark roast coffee beans cabinet that has an airtight, transparent container.

A coffee bag with an one-way valve can work perfectly in the fridge however if your beans didn’t come in this type of packaging you’ll need to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It’s important to remember that the fridge could be a little cold for coffee, which may impact its taste.

The main enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans store them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at temperatures that are at room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but an armoire or cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee bean suppliers in the fridge can help prolong the shelf life of your coffee, but it isn’t recommended. The cold temperature can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing 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

Once the seal has been broken on your beans, it is best to store them in a dark place at room temperature 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 beans in a cabinet near an oven or kitchen counter where they receive direct sunlight isn’t the best idea because these places can be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a significant factor in the bean’s flavor, since it can absorb moisture in the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat since the beans can destroy the molecular structure that provide them with their aromas and flavors. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor.

If you’re able to keep your beans in their one-way valve bag that is resealable and resealable that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then freshness should last for approximately a week before they begin to degrade. They can last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you should be cautious since the beans may suffer from freezer burn, and they can also absorb odors of food that are floating around in the freezer them.

Storing online coffee Beans beans in the freezer

If you’re 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 like sponges that absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Keeping it in a cool dark space in an airtight container can help keep the taste protected. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you do this, it’s best to transfer them to a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.

While it’s not ideal however, it can be beneficial when you’re running out of time or are traveling and would like to take some of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans that have been frozen aren’t as fresh and will have a less bland flavor than beans that were properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.

It is best to use your beans as soon as is possible however, we don’t always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool location in an airtight, opaque container and their shelf life could be extended by as much as 3 times. So go ahead and give it a shot (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be amazed by how much better your coffee will taste when compared to the dull and uninteresting beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.