How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh roast flavor for a couple of weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans’ most formidable enemies!
How do you store gourmet coffee beans beans
It’s not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Despite this, many people are unsure of the best to store their beans. Many people think they can place their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the most efficient method.
The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperatures. This will shield your beans from two of their greatest enemies: moisture and air. Air and moisture can rob the beans their fresh-roasted flavor, while moisture can also make them taste weaker. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine, too.
It’s not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They may absorb the flavors and odors of other foods that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They may also be exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Consider storing your beans in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Be sure to eliminate all the air from the bag before sealing it again, and then store it in a cool, dark place. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, but it’s best to use them within 72 hours of roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the refrigerator but it’s not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb odors and moisture from food items, which will negatively impact their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight, clear container.
If your beans don’t come in a coffee bag with a one-way valve, you’ll need to transfer them into a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge may also be too cold for the buy coffee beans Near me, and this can alter the taste of the coffee.
Moisture, air and heat are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To preserve the freshness and quality of your beans, place them in a dark container (not transparent), at the room temperature. A dark, cool pantry is a great storage space, however, a closet or cupboard can also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge can help extend its shelf life, but it’s not recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to deteriorate faster. Additionally, the moisture and food smells in the fridge can also harm your beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging 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 keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for some time (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn’t the best idea since these places could get very hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a big one since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat as the bean has the ability to degrade the molecular structures that give them their aromas and flavors. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose their taste.
If you store your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is equivalent in size, they’ll be fresh for about one week. You can store them for longer in the refrigerator, but be aware that they may suffer from freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you’re spending 20 bucks or more to purchase a premium bag of coffee beans, you need to be aware of how long they’ll last and what the best ways are to store them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture therefore storing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool location will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful when doing this, you should move them into an Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid freezing burn.
While freezing isn’t the best option, it can help if you have a short period of time, or if you’re planning to travel and bring along some of your favorite roast. Coffee beans that are frozen aren’t as fresh and have a weaker flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It’s recommended to use your beans as soon as you can however, we do not always have the luxury of. Storing your coffee beans properly will extend their shelf-life up to three times if you store them in a cool, dark place in an airtight opaque container. So go ahead and give it 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 uninteresting beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.