How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Similar to a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can preserve the fresh flavor of roasted beans for a few weeks by following a few simple tips. Your beans' worst enemies are air, moisture, and heat!
How to store
strong coffee beans Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans break down quickly. In order to enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it's essential to store them in a proper manner. However, many people are unsure of the best to go about it. Some people believe that they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the best way to go about it.
The key is to keep your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture may weaken the beans' flavor. Heat will also break down the flavor and aroma of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin the natural shine of the beans as well.
It's not a good idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They may absorb the flavor of other foods like cheese and onions in the fridge which can alter the flavor of your espresso. They could also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the refrigerator's cold air.
Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they came in or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure you remove all the air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a dark, cool space. This will allow the beans to last a bit longer, but it is best to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
The majority of people store their beans in the fridge however it's not the best idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture and can alter their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque container.
A coffee bag that has a one-way valve will work just fine in the refrigerator however if the beans aren't in this kind of packaging, you'll need to move them to a tightly sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important that you note that the fridge can also be a bit cold for coffee, which may alter the taste.
The main enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you should keep your beans in an airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The ideal place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes could also work. Storing
unroasted coffee beans in the refrigerator will help extend the shelf life of your
coffee beans Bulk buy, but it's not recommended. The cold temperature can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing it to become stale quicker. The smells of food and water in the refrigerator can cause damage to your coffee beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging of your beans is broken, it is best to keep them in a dark area at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on how much oxygen, heat, or moisture is exposed
bean to cup coffee beans the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counter where they receive direct sunlight isn't a
good quality coffee beans idea since these places could be extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a significant element, as beans absorb moisture in the air. This can alter the natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat since the beans can destroy the molecular structure which give them their aromas and flavors. Heating also strips the beans of their natural oils, which results in them losing taste.
If you can keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is equivalent to it, they'll stay fresh for about a week. They can last longer if you place them in the freezer, however you must be cautious because the beans could be prone to freezer burn and they can 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 dollars or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, it's crucial to be aware of how long they'll keep and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee is sponges that absorb aromas, moisture, and flavors so keeping it in a cool, dark space in an airtight container will ensure that the flavor stays secure. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you do this it's best to move them into a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezing burn.
Although freezing isn't a good idea, it can be helpful if you have a limited period of time, or if you're planning to travel and take along a cup of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a more subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or pantry.
As you can see, it's ideal to use your coffee beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we simply don't have the luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold place in an opaque airtight container the shelf life of your coffee beans can be extended by up to 3 times. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste when in comparison to beans that are rotten in the freezer or fridge.