How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Similar to a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans go bad. This is due oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' biggest enemies!
How do you keep coffee beans in storage
It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Many people are unsure of how to go about this, though. Some think they can just put their beans in the fridge, but this isn't actually the most efficient way to do it.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats that are moisture, air, and heat. Air can strip beans of their fresh roast flavor, and moisture can dilute the beans as well. Also, heat can destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish the natural shine of the beans.
It is not a good idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They can absorb the flavors and odors of other foods in the refrigerator, including onions and cheese that can adversely affect the taste of your coffee. They are also exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag prior to resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool location. This can also help the beans to last a bit longer, however it is best to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food smells, which can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet that has an airtight, transparent container.
If your beans don't come in a coffee bag equipped with a one-way valve, you will need to move them into containers that are tightly sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. It's important that you note that the fridge can also be a little too cold for
gourmet coffee beans, which can affect the taste.
Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of
Cafe Coffee Beans bean to cup coffee beans. To keep their freshness and roast, it is recommended to store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. A dark, cool, dark pantry is the perfect location to store them, but a closet or a cupboard can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf-life, however you may want to try it. It can alter the flavor of your brew and even make them stale faster due to its cold temperature. In addition the moisture and food smells from the fridge can also harm your beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
After the seal of packaging on the beans is broken, it is recommended to keep them in a dark location at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will help preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on the amount of oxygen, heat, or moisture is exposed to the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't a good option as these places can be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a significant element, as beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce the natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat because the bean can destroy the molecular structure that give them their aromas and flavors. Also, heat strips the bean of its natural oils, which makes them taste less.
If you're able to keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last about a week before they start to degrade. You can keep them longer in the fridge, however, be aware that they could suffer from freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're shelling out $20 or more for a haute bag of coffee beans it's important to know how long they'll keep and what the best methods are to keep them.
500g coffee beans is a sponge and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container will keep the flavor safe. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you do this it's best to move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.
While freezing isn't ideal however, it can be beneficial when you're short on time or traveling and want to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. However, coffee beans that have been frozen will not be as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It is best to consume the beans as soon as possible, but we don't always have the luxury of. Properly storing your coffee beans can prolong their shelf-life by up to three times if you store them in a dark, cold space in an airtight, opaque container. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste when in comparison to beans that had gone to rot in the fridge or freezer.
