Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Coffee Beans Fresh?
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans go bad. This is due oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
The good news is you can preserve fresh flavors for several weeks by following a few easy tips. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to keep coffee beans in storage
It's no secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. In order to maximize the flavor of your beans, it's essential to properly store them. Many people are confused about the best way to do this, however. Many people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the best method.
The key is to keep your beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature. This will safeguard the beans from their greatest enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air and moisture can rob the beans their fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also dilute them. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish their natural shine.
In reality, storing coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than beneficial. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, like cheese and onions in the refrigerator, which will affect the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to moisture and condensation.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to remove all the air prior to sealing the bag and store it in cool, dark location. This can make the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Storing cafe coffee beans in the Fridge
The majority of people store their beans in the refrigerator however it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture and can alter their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is a dark cabinet, sealed with an airtight and transparent container.
A coffee bag that has one-way valves will work just fine in the refrigerator However, if your beans aren't in this sort 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. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge may be a bit too cold for coffee, which can alter the taste.
The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To keep their freshness and roast, you must store your beans in an airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or a wardrobe can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf-life, but you might want to consider it. It can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause them to go stale faster due to its cold temperature. Additionally, the moisture and food smells in the fridge can also harm your beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it is recommended to store them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a long time (depending on the degree of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the best idea because these places can be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a major factor because beans absorb moisture from the air, and this could alter the natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat, as beans degrade the molecular structures which give them their flavors and aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their taste.
If you're able keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag which they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to degrade. You can keep them longer in the refrigerator, but be aware that they could suffer from freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're shelling out 20 bucks or more to purchase the finest coffee beans, you need to know how long they will keep and what the best ways are to keep them. Coffee absorbs moisture, aromas and flavors and placing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful when doing this, it's best to transfer them to the inside of a Ziploc bag before freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.
While freezing isn't the best option, it can help if you have a limited period of time, or if you're traveling and want to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans will not be as fresh and will have a less bland flavor than beans that were properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.
It is best to consume the beans as soon as is possible, but we don't always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool container that is airtight and opaque container, their shelf life can be extended up to three times. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste compared to the beans that are rotten in the freezer or fridge.