How To Build A Successful Coffee Beans Fresh When You're Not Business-Savvy
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans are prone to going bad. Coffeee is due oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can preserve the fresh roast flavor for a couple of weeks by following some simple tips. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' worst enemies!
How to store coffee beans
It's no secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, you have to store them in a proper manner. However, a lot of people are confused as to how best to go about it. Some believe they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the most efficient way to do it.
The key is to keep your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats: air, moisture, and heat. Moisture and air can both take away the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. Heating can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in your refrigerator. They may absorb the flavors and odors of food items that are stored in the refrigerator like onions and cheese which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They may also be exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure you push out all the air prior to resealing the bag, and then store it in a cool, dark area. This can also help the beans last for a longer time, but the ideal time to use them is within 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors and moisture from food items and can negatively affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is in the dark cabinet, with an airtight, transparent container.
A coffee bag that has an one-way valve can work just fine in the refrigerator, but if your beans weren't packaged in this type of packaging you'll need to move them to a sealed and opaque container, like a glass container or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge might also be too cold for the coffee, which can affect the taste.
Air, heat and moisture are the main enemies of coffee beans. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you must store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. A dark, cool and cool pantry is the ideal place to store them, but a closet or cupboard can also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf-life, but you may want to test it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. The moisture and food smells in the refrigerator can harm your coffee beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal on your beans is broken, it is best to keep them in a dark area at ambient temperature 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 absorbed by the beans). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter space that is exposed to direct sunlight could be an undesirable idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is an important factor because the beans can absorb moisture from the air, and this can dilute their natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat, as beans degrade the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. The heat also strips the beans of their natural oils, which causes them to lose flavor.
If you keep 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 a week. They can go longer if you put them in the freezer, but you have to be careful since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they can 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 dollars or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it is essential to know the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture which is why keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool place will help to preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans, however, it is advised to store them in a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.
While freezing is not ideal it can help if you have a limited amount of time or if you're traveling and wish to take along a cup of your favorite roast. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a less distinct flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It's best to use the beans as soon as possible however, we do not always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool location in an airtight, opaque container their shelf life can be extended by up to three times. So go ahead and give it a shot (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you may be surprised by how much better the flavor of your coffee is compared to the dull and stale beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.