How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans turn bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
The good news is you can preserve fresh roast flavors for a few weeks by following a few simple tips. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to store Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused about how to go about this, however. Some think they can just put their beans in the refrigerator but that's not the best way to do it.
The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: air and moisture. Moisture and air can both take away the beans' fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also dilute them. Heat can also destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
In reality, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They could absorb the flavors and odors of food items in the refrigerator, such as onions and cheese, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They can also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the frig's cold air.
Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a resealable bag. Be sure to remove all of the air before sealing the bag and store it in cool, dark and dry place. This will allow the beans to last a bit longer, however it is ideal to use them within 72 hours of roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators however this isn't an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb odors of food and moisture, which will negatively impact their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight and transparent container.
A Solimo Coffee Beans 2 Kg Bundle Offer! bag that has a one-way valve will work just fine in the fridge however if your beans didn't come in this kind of packaging, it is necessary to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container, like a glass container or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge might also be too cold for the coffee, and this can alter the taste of the coffee.
The most common enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To maintain the freshness of your beans, place them in an opaque container (not transparent) at room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes will also work. Storing coffee in the fridge will extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to deteriorate faster. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can harm your coffee beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
After the seal of packaging on your beans has been broken, it's best to store them in a dark location at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the degree of exposure to heat, oxygen and moisture). Storing your Rwandan Specialty Coffee Beans - Hand-Roasted in Denmark beans near an oven or kitchen counter, or any other space that is exposed to direct sunlight may be an undesirable idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture can be a major element, as beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can alter the natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation as the bean may destroy the molecular structure that creates their aromas. Heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, which causes them to lose taste.
If you can keep your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight, opaque container that's similar in size, they'll be fresh for about one week. They may last longer if they are placed in the freezer, but you should be aware because the beans could be prone to freezer burn and they could also absorb odors from food that are floating around in the freezer them.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're spending $20 or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's important to understand the best method of storing the beans. Coffee is sponges and can absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Keeping it in a cool dark space in an airtight container will keep the flavor secure. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you decide to do this it's best to move them into a Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezer burn.
While freezing is not ideal it could be beneficial if you have a limited amount of time or you're traveling and want to take along a cup of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that are properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.
It is recommended to consume the beans as soon as you can however, we don't always have the luxury of. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold place in an opaque airtight container, their shelf life can be extended up to three times. Give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the above instructions 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.