7 Tips About Coffee Beans Fresh That No One Will Tell You
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by following a few simple guidelines. The beans' biggest enemies are moisture, air and heat!
How do you keep coffee beans in storage
It's not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you have to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused on how best to do this, though. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to go about it.
The key is storing your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperatures. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. Air can strip beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture may weaken them as well. Heating can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They can absorb the flavors and odors from other foods in the refrigerator, such as cheese and onions that can adversely affect the flavor of your coffee. They may also be exposed to the cool air of 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 you push out all air prior to resealing the bag, and store it in a cool, dark place. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, but it's ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Most people store their coffee beans in the fridge but this isn't the best idea. expensive coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture and can affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is a dark cupboard with an airtight, transparent container.
A coffee bag that has a one-way valve works just fine in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged in this sort of packaging you'll need to move them to a sealed and opaque container, such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee, which can affect the taste.
The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To preserve the freshness and quality of your roasted beans, store them in a dark container (not transparent) at temperatures that are at room temperature. A dark, cool, dark pantry is the ideal location to store them however a closet or cupboard is also acceptable. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can extend its shelf-life, however you may want to try it. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to get stale faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator could affect the coffee 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 place at room temperature and 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 heat, oxygen and moisture). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter, or any other location that is exposed to direct sunlight can be an undesirable idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a big one because the beans can absorb moisture from the air and this can reduce their natural flavors. It can also accelerate the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure, which gives them their aromas. Heating also strips the beans 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 from or an equivalent airtight opaque container, the freshness will last around a week or so before they start to degrade. They can last longer if they are placed in the freezer, however you have to be careful as the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors floating around in the freezer along with them.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it is important to know the best way to store them. Coffee is like sponges that absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool dark location in an airtight, opaque container will keep the flavor safe. You can also freeze your beans but be careful when doing this, you should move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid freezing burn.
While freezing is not ideal it is a good option if have a short amount of time or if you're planning to travel and bring along your favourite roast. Coffee beans that are frozen aren't as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or pantry.
It is recommended to use the beans as soon as is possible, but we don't always have the luxury of. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly can prolong their shelf-life by up to three times, if you keep them in a cool, dark place in a sealed airtight container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste compared to the beans that have been rotten in the fridge or freezer.