How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

The good news is that you can preserve your fresh roast flavors for a few weeks by following a few easy guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans’ biggest enemies!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It’s not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Despite this, many are unsure of the best to do it. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the fridge, but this isn’t actually the best method for doing it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. Moisture and air can both ruin the beans’ fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.

In fact, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They could absorb the flavors of other foods like onions and cheese in the refrigerator which can alter the taste types of coffee beans your coffee. They could also be exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.

Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they came in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure to push out all of the air before sealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark area. This method will also help the beans last a bit longer, however it is best to use them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Most people store their beans in the refrigerator, but it’s not an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb odors and moisture from food items and can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight, transparent container.

If your beans aren’t in a bag with a one way valve, you will need to move them into an container that is sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. It’s important to note that the fridge might be a little too cold for coffee, which can affect the taste.

Moisture, heat, and air are the main enemies of coffee beans. To maintain the freshness of your coffee beans store them in a dark container (not transparent) at the room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf life, but you may want to try it. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to get stale faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator could damage your coffee beans.

Storing online coffee beans – check out this one from King Wifi – Beans in the Pantry

After the seal of packaging on your beans has been broken, it is recommended to keep them in a dark area at room temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn’t the best option because these areas can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture can be a significant element, as beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce the natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat because the bean can break down the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of their natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.

If you’re able keep your beans in the bags that are resealable, one-way valves which they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container the freshness will last around a week or so before they start to degrade. They will last longer if you place them in the freezer, but you must be cautious since the beans may suffer from freezer burn, and they may also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer with them.

Storing coffee beans wholesale suppliers Beans in the Freezer

If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it’s essential to know the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors and placing it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, but it is advisable to place them in a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.

While freezing is not ideal it can be helpful if you have a short amount of time or if you’re traveling and wish to bring along some of your favourite medium roast coffee beans. The coffee beans that are frozen do not taste as fresh and have a weaker flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

As you can see it’s best to use your beans as a whole but sometimes we simply don’t have the luxury. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool location in an airtight, opaque container, their shelf life can be extended up to three times. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste contrasted with beans that have been rotten in the freezer or fridge.