How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can preserve the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by following these simple tips. Heat, humidity and air are your beans’ biggest enemies!
How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans
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 confused on how to go about this, though. Some people think that they can simply put their beans into the fridge. This is not the best option.
Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect the beans from their greatest enemies which are air, moisture and heat. The air can rob beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture can weaken the beans’ flavor. Heating can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. light roast coffee beans (especially sunlight) will also reduce their natural shine.
It’s not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in your refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, like cheese and onions in the refrigerator which could affect the taste of your espresso. They also are exposed to condensation and moisture from the cold air in the refrigerator.
You may want to store your beans in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag before sealing it again, and then store it in a dark, cool space. This will help the beans last longer, however it is recommended to consume them within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
The majority of people store their beans in the refrigerator but this isn’t an ideal solution. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb odors and moisture from food items, which will negatively impact their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee in is a dark cabinet that has an airtight, transparent container.
If your beans don’t come in a bag with a one-way valve, you’ll need to move them into an container that is sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. It’s important that you note that the fridge can also be a bit cold for coffee, which may impact its taste.
Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of specialty coffee beans bean. To preserve their roasted freshness you should keep your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. A dark, cool, dark pantry is a great storage space, however, a closet or cupboard can also work. Storing bulk coffee beans in the fridge will extend its shelf life, however it’s not recommended. It can affect the flavors of your brew and even make them stale faster due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and water in the fridge can affect the coffee beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging is broken on the beans, it’s recommended to store them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for some time (depending on the amount types of coffee beans exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counter where they receive direct sunlight isn’t the most ideal option because these areas 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 is also accelerated by heat because the bean can destroy the molecular structure which give them their flavors and aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor.
If you are able to keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag they came in, or in an airtight opaque container that’s similar to it, they’ll stay fresh for about one week. They may last longer if they are placed in the freezer, however you should be cautious as the beans may be affected by freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors floating around in the freezer with them.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you are spending $20 or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it’s important to know the best way to store them. Coffee is sponges and absorbs aromas, moisture, and flavors so keeping it in a cool, dark place in a airtight opaque container will keep the flavor protected. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you decide to do this, it’s best to transfer them to a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezing burn.
Although freezing isn’t ideal, it is a good option if have a limited period of time, or if you’re planning to travel and take along a cup of your favorite roast. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It’s recommended to use the beans as soon as is possible however, we may not always have that luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold space in a dark, airtight container and their shelf life could be extended by as much as 3 times. Give it a try (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you might be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and lifeless beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.