15 Things You Didn't Know About Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Like a banana thrown on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh flavor of roasted beans for a couple of weeks by following some simple tips. The most formidable enemies of beans are moisture, air, and heat!
How to Store Coffee Beans
It's no secret, coffee beans degrade rapidly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, you must to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused on how to go about this, though. Some people believe that they can just put their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the best method.
The key is storing your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from their most formidable enemies such as moisture, air and heat. The air can strip the beans of their fresh roasted flavor, and moisture can dilute the beans' flavor. The heat can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
In fact, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator can be more harmful than beneficial. They could absorb the flavors and odors of food items in the refrigerator, including cheese and onions that can adversely affect the flavor of your coffee. They can also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the refrigerator's cold air.
Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag prior to resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool location. This will also aid in keeping the beans fresh longer, but the ideal time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Storing coffee beans in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the refrigerator, but it's not an ideal solution. Coffee beans in the fridge absorb odors and moisture from food items which can adversely affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet that has an airtight, opaque container.
A coffee bag that has one-way valves will work just fine in the fridge however if your beans didn't come in this kind of packaging, you'll need to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important that you note that the fridge can also be a little cold for coffee, which can affect the taste of the coffee.
Air, heat and moisture are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans store them in an opaque container (not transparent), at the room temperature. The best place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, but cabinets or a wardrobe can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf-life, however you might want to consider it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to deteriorate faster. In addition the food and moisture smells from the fridge can cause damage to your beans.
Storing coffee beans in the Pantry
After the seal of packaging on your beans has been broken, it's best to keep them in a dark location at room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or kitchen counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal option because these areas can be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a significant element, as beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate oxidation because the bean can destroy the molecular structure, which creates their aromas. Heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, which makes them taste less.
If you're able keep your beans in their resealable, one-way valve bag that they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then freshness should last for about a week before they begin to degrade. You can store them longer in the fridge however, be aware that they could suffer from freezer burns or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're paying $20 or more for the finest coffee beans it's important to know how long they will last and what the best ways are to keep them. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors therefore keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark location will help preserve the flavor. Coffeee can also freeze your beans but be cautious if you do this, make sure to move them into a Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid freezer burn.
Although freezing isn't the best option, it can be useful when you're short on time or are traveling and would like to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. The coffee beans that are frozen do not taste as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
As you can see, it's ideal to use your coffee beans as a whole but sometimes we just don't have that luxury. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly can extend their shelf-life by three times if you store them in a dark, cold place in an airtight opaque container. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste in comparison to beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.