Why Is Coffee Beans Fresh So Popular?
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Similar to a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans also go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
The good news is that you can preserve fresh roast flavors for up to a week by implementing a few simple tips. Your beans' worst enemies are moisture, air, and heat!
How to Store Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. In order to get the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Many people aren't sure how to best do this, though. Some people believe that they can place their beans in the fridge. This is not the most efficient method.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect the beans from their greatest enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air and moisture can rob the beans their fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also dilute them. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.
In reality, storing coffee beans in a refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They can absorb the flavor and odors from other foods in the refrigerator, such as cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They may also be exposed to condensation and moisture from the cold air in the refrigerator.
It is possible to store your beans in the original container or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure you remove all the air from the bag prior to sealing it again, and then store it in a dark, cool area. This will also help the beans last longer, but the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't necessarily an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in refrigerators absorb food smells and moisture, which can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container.
A coffee bag with one-way valves will work just fine in the refrigerator However, if your beans weren't packaged in this sort of packaging you'll need to move them to a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge may be a little cold for coffee, which can impact its taste.
The primary enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To preserve their roasted freshness it is recommended to store your beans in an airtight opaque (not transparent) container at temperatures of room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, but an armoire or cabinet could also work. Storing coffee in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing it to go through a stale-like process faster. Additionally the moisture and food smells in 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 area at temperatures of room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a time (depending on the extent of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the ideal idea since these places could become very hot and will accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is one of the main reasons because beans can absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat, as beans break down the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor.
If you can keep your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container, they will stay fresh for about one week. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, but be cautious as they may suffer from freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
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 way to store them. Coffee absorbs flavor, aromas and moisture therefore keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark place will help to preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you decide to do this, make sure to transfer them to the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid burning in the freezer.
Although freezing isn't a good idea, it can help if you have a limited time frame or you're planning to travel and bring along some of your favorite roast. The coffee beans that are frozen do not taste as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or pantry.
As Coffeee can see, it's best to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we aren't able to afford that. Properly storing your coffee beans will extend their shelf-life up to three times, if you keep them in a cold dark place in a sealed airtight container. So, give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and lifeless beans that went bad in the freezer or fridge.