How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana that is left on the counter coffee beans are prone to going bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
The good quality coffee beans news is you can preserve fresh medium roast coffee beans flavors for a few weeks by following a few easy tips. The beans’ biggest enemies are moisture, air, and heat!
How to store Coffee Beans
It’s not a secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. In order to get the most flavor out of your beans, you need to properly store them. However, a lot of people are unsure of how best to store them. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator but that’s not the best way to do it.
The key is to keep your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperatures. This will safeguard the beans from their most formidable enemies which are air, moisture and heat. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted taste and moisture may weaken the beans as well. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also affect their natural shine.
In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They may absorb the flavor of other foods like cheese and onions in the fridge which can affect the flavor of your espresso. They also are exposed to condensation and moisture due to the cold air in the refrigerator.
Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure you push out all the air prior to sealing the bag again, and then store it in a cool, dark area. This will also aid in keeping the beans fresh a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.
Storing coffee beans in the Fridge
The majority of people store their beans in the refrigerator, but it’s not the best idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet that has an airtight, transparent container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work just fine in the refrigerator however if your beans aren’t in this type of container, you’ll have to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container like a glass container or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It’s important that you note that the fridge could be a little cold for Online Coffee Beans, which may affect the taste of the coffee.
Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee bean. To ensure the freshness of your beans, keep them in a dark container (not transparent), at ambient temperature. The best place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, but cabinets or a wardrobe can also be used. It is not recommended to store online coffee beans in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf-life, but you may want to test it. It can affect the flavors of your beverage and cause them to become stale quicker due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can harm your coffee beans.
Storing coffee beans wholesale suppliers Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal on your beans is broken, it is best to store them in a dark area at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or kitchen counter where they receive direct sunlight isn’t the most ideal option because these areas can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is an important factor because the beans can absorb moisture from the air. This could alter the natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat, as beans break down the molecular structures that provide them with their flavors and aromas. The heat also strips the beans of its natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.
If you are able to keep your beans in the bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to decay. They will last longer if you put them in the freezer, but you should be aware since the beans may suffer from freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer along with them.
Storing coffee 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 way to store them. Coffee is like sponges and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool, dark place in a airtight opaque container will help keep the flavor protected. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you do this it’s best to move them into an Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezing burn.
While it’s not ideal, it can be useful if you are short on time or are traveling and would like to take a cup of your favorite coffee with you. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren’t as fresh and have a less distinct flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or pantry.
It’s recommended to use the beans as soon as is possible however, we don’t always have the luxury of. The proper storage of your coffee beans can extend their shelf-life by at least three times if you keep them in a cool, dark location in an airtight container. If you decide to give it a try (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you may be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull, lifeless beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.