A Peek Into The Secrets Of Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep top 10 coffee beans like a banana that's left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
You can keep the fresh roast flavor for a few weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' worst enemies!
How to store Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. In order to maximize the flavor of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Many people are confused about how to best do this, however. Many people believe that they can just put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to go about it.
Store your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from two of their greatest enemies: air and moisture. The air can rob beans of their fresh roasted flavor and moisture could weaken the beans' flavor. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also affect their natural shine.
It is not a good idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other food items, like onions and cheese in the fridge and affect the flavor of your espresso. They can also be exposed by the refrigerator's cool air to moisture and condensation.
Instead, consider storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to blow out all of the air before sealing the bag again, and then store it in a cool, dark area. This method can also help the beans last a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator however this isn't an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb odors and moisture from food items, which will negatively impact their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee in is a dark cabinet with an airtight, opaque container.
A coffee bag that has one-way valves will work just fine in the refrigerator However, if your beans aren't in this type of packaging you'll need to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge might also be too cold for the coffee, which can alter the taste of the coffee.
The main enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans, keep them in a dark container (not transparent), at the room temperature. A dark, cool, dark pantry is a great storage space, but a closet or cabinet is also acceptable. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf life, but you might want to try it. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing it to become stale quicker. In addition the food and moisture smells from the fridge can affect the beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal on the beans is broken, it is recommended to store them in a dark area at the temperature of room and 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, heat, or moisture is exposed to the beans). Storing your coffee beans near an oven or kitchen counter location that is exposed to direct sunlight might be a bad idea. These areas can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is one of the main reasons because the beans can absorb moisture from the air, and this can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat because the bean can break down the molecular structures that provide them with their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the beans of their natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.
If you are able to keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then their freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to deteriorate. They can go longer if you place them in the freezer, however you must be cautious because the beans could be affected by freezer burn and they may also absorb odors from food that are floating around in the freezer along with them.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're spending $20 or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it is crucial to determine the best method to store them. Coffee is like sponges and absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container will help keep the flavor protected. You can also freeze your beans, but be cautious if you do this, it's best to move them into a Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezer burn.
While freezing is not ideal it can be helpful if you have a short amount of time or if you're traveling and wish to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the fridge or in the pantry.
As you can see, it's recommended to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we aren't able to afford that. The proper storage of your coffee beans will extend their shelf-life three times if you're using them in a cool, dark location in an airtight container. If you decide to give the idea a go (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the dull and stale beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.