How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans can go bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile. You can preserve the fresh roast flavor for a couple of weeks by implementing a few tips. Your beans' greatest enemies are air, moisture, and heat! How do you store coffee beans It's not a secret that coffee beans degrade quickly. To maximize the flavor of your beans, it's essential to store them properly. Many people aren't sure how to go about this, though. Some people believe that they can just put their beans in the fridge. This is not the best way to go about it. Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will shield your beans from the two biggest enemies: moisture and air. The air can strip the beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture could weaken the beans' flavor. The heat can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish their natural shine. It's not a good idea to keep coffee beans in your refrigerator. They may absorb the flavors and odors of other food items in the refrigerator, such as cheese and onions that can adversely affect the flavor of your coffee. They can also be exposed to condensation and moisture from the refrigerator's cold air. Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to eliminate all air from the bag before sealing it and storing it in a dark, cool space. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, however it is ideal to use them 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 necessarily a great idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb moisture and food odors, which will negatively impact their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet that has an airtight and opaque container. A coffee bag that has a one-way valve will work just fine in the fridge, but if your beans aren't in this type of container, you'll need to move them to a tightly sealed and opaque container, like a glass container or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important that you note that the fridge might be a bit too cold for coffee, which can affect the taste. The main enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To keep https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-beans of your coffee beans keep them in a container that is opaque (not transparent), at ambient temperature. A dark, cool and cool pantry is the perfect location to store them, but a closet or a cabinet is also acceptable. It is not recommended to store 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 go through a stale-like process faster. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can damage your coffee beans. Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry After the seal of the packaging has been 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 coffee beans in an oven or kitchen counter, or any other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight could be not a good idea. These areas can become very hot and accelerate oxidation. Moisture can be a significant aspect, since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. The heat can also accelerate the process of the process of oxidation since beans can destroy the molecular structure that creates their aromas. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, causing the flavor to fade away. If you can keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag that they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to deteriorate. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, however, be aware that they could be prone to freezer burn or absorb any odors of food in the fridge. Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer If you're spending 20 bucks or more to purchase a haute bag of coffee beans, you need to know how long they will last and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee absorbs flavor, aromas and moisture which is why keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezer burn. While freezing is not ideal it is a good option if have a limited amount of time or if you're traveling and wish to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans will not be as fresh and will have a less mild flavor than beans that are properly stored in the refrigerator or pantry. As you can see, it's recommended to use your beans lickety-splitt but sometimes we aren't able to afford that. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly will extend their shelf-life up to three times, if you store them in a cold dark space in an airtight, opaque container. Give it a try (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the dull, lifeless beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.