How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Similar to a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans also go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
The good news is you can preserve the fresh roast flavors for up to a week with a few simple tips. The most formidable enemies of beans are moisture, air and heat!
How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Many people aren't sure how to go about this, though. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best method for doing it.
The key is to keep your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperatures. This will shield your beans from their biggest enemies: air and moisture. The air can rob beans of their fresh roast flavor, and moisture can dilute them too. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce their natural shine.
In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They may absorb the flavor of other food items, like onions and cheese in the fridge and alter the flavor of your espresso. They may also be exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.
Consider storing your beans in the original container or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure you push out all the air prior sealing the bag again, and then store it in a cool, dark and dry place. This method can also make the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't necessarily an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture and can alter their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight, clear container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve works just fine in the fridge However, if your beans aren't in this type of container, you'll need to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which could affect its taste.
coffeebeans , heat, and air are the main enemies of coffee bean. To keep the freshness of your beans, keep them in an opaque container (not transparent), at temperatures that are at room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but a wardrobe or a cabinet can also be used. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf life, but you might want to consider it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to deteriorate faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator can affect the coffee beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
Once the seal on the packaging on your beans has broken, it is best to store the beans in a dark, dry place at temperatures of room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen and moisture). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't a good idea since these places could be extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a significant aspect, since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat since the beans can disintegrate the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of their natural oils which causes them to lose taste.
If you're able to keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag which they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container then freshness should last for about a week before they begin to decay. You can store them for longer in the refrigerator, but be aware that they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you are spending $20 or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to know the best way to store them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture, so storing it in an airtight container in a dark, cool location will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you decide to do this, it's best to move them into an Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid freezer burn.
Although freezing isn't the best option but it can be helpful when you're running out of time or traveling and want to take some of your favorite coffee with you. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less distinct flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or pantry.
It's best to consume the beans as quickly as you can however, we don't always have the luxury of. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool location in an airtight, opaque container and their shelf life could be extended by up to three times. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste when in comparison to beans that are rotten in the freezer or fridge.