10 Tips For Quickly Getting Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Just like a banana that's left on the counter for several days, coffee beans can go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh roast taste for a few weeks by following a few simple tips. The beans' biggest enemies are moisture, air, and heat!
How to Store Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. In order to get the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Despite this, many people are unsure of how best to store their beans. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best method for doing it.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. Air and moisture can ruin the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can smudge their natural shine, too.
In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They can absorb the flavors and odors from other foods that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions which could negatively affect the flavor of your coffee. They can also be exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Make sure to remove all air from the bag before resealing it, and store it in a cool, dark place. This can also help the beans last longer, but it is recommended to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing coffee beans in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator but this isn't an ideal solution. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container.
A coffee bag that has an one-way valve can work just fine in the refrigerator However, if your beans didn't come in this type of container, you'll have to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge may be a little too cold for coffee, which can affect the taste.
The primary enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To ensure freshness of the coffee beans, you should store your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. A cool, dark pantry is the best storage space, however a closet or cupboard can also be used. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf life, but you might want to consider it. The cold temperature can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to go through a stale-like process faster. The moisture and food smells in the fridge can cause damage to your coffee beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal on your beans is broken, it's best to keep them in a dark area at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in an oven, kitchen counter or other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight may be not a good idea. These places can get very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture can be a significant factor in the bean's flavor, since it can absorb moisture from the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat, as beans degrade the molecular structures that give them their aromas and flavors. coffee bean near me of their natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.
If you are able to keep your beans in the bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to degrade. They can last longer if you store them in the freezer, but you should be cautious since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they can also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer with them.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're paying 20 bucks or more to purchase an expensive bag of coffee beans, you need to know how long they'll keep and what the best ways are to keep them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture which is why placing it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to put them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezer burn.
Although freezing isn't ideal, it could be beneficial if you have a short period of time, or if you're on the road and want to bring along your favorite roast. Coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
As you can see it's best to use your beans as a whole but sometimes we do not have the luxury of. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly will extend their shelf-life at least three times if you keep them in a cool dark space in an airtight, opaque container. Give the idea a go (be sure to follow the instructions above carefully) you might be amazed at how much better the flavor of your coffee is compared to the dull, lifeless beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.