How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Similar to a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans also go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.

You can preserve the fresh roast flavor for a few weeks by following these simple guidelines. Your beans' greatest enemies are moisture, air and heat!

How to keep coffee beans safe? Beans

It's no secret, coffee beans degrade rapidly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. However, a lot of people are unsure of how best to do it. Some people believe that they can place their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the best way to go about it.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight and opaque container at room temperature. This will protect the beans from the most formidable enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted taste, and moisture can dilute them as well. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can destroy their natural shine as well.

In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than useful. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, such as cheese and onions in the refrigerator, which will affect the taste of your coffee. They may also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the refrigerator's cold air.

Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to blow out all the air prior to sealing the bag again, and keep it in a cool, dark area. This method can also aid in keeping the beans fresh for a longer time, but the optimum length of time to use them is within 72 hours after they have been roasted.

Storing coffee beans in the Fridge

Most people store their beans in the fridge but it's not an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors from food and water which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight, clear container.

A coffee bag with an one-way valve can work just fine in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged 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 could also be too cold for the bulk coffee beans, which may affect its taste.

Air, heat and moisture are the main enemies of coffee bean. To ensure freshness of the coffee beans, you must store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but cabinets or a wardrobe will also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf life, but you might want to try it. It can alter the taste of your beverage and cause them to deteriorate faster due to its cold temperature. In addition the food and moisture smells from the fridge can affect the beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it's recommended to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is absorbed by the beans). Storing your coffee beans near an oven, kitchen counter or other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight might be not a good idea. These areas can become very hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is a major factor because beans absorb moisture from the air and this can alter their natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat since the beans can break down the molecular structures which give them their flavors and aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of its natural oils, which results in them losing taste.

If you're able keep your beans in their bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last about a week before they begin to degrade. They will last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you have to be careful because the beans might be affected by freezer burn and they may also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you're shelling out 20 bucks or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, you need to be aware of how long they'll keep and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee is like sponges that absorb moisture, aromas and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container can help keep the taste and aromas safe. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to place them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid burning in the freezer.

While freezing isn't the best option, it could be beneficial if you have a short time frame or you're traveling and wish to bring along your favourite roast. However, coffee beans frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less muted flavor than beans that were properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.

It is best to use your beans as soon as you can however, we do not always have that luxury. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool place in an opaque airtight container the shelf life of your Online Coffee Beans beans can be extended by as much as 3 times. So, give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you might be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the dull, lifeless beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.