How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Like a banana that is left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a few weeks by implementing a few tips. Your beans' greatest enemies are moisture, air, and heat!

How to store Coffee Beans

It's no secret, coffee beans wholesale suppliers beans degrade rapidly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them in a proper manner. Many people aren't sure how to best do this, though. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator, but this isn't actually the best way to go about it.

The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperature. This will protect the beans from the greatest threats which are air, moisture and heat. Moisture and air can both rob the beans their fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also make them taste weaker. Also, heat can destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also diminish their natural shine.

In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator can be more harmful than useful. They may absorb the flavor of other foods, like cheese and onions in the fridge which could alter the taste of your espresso. They are also exposed to the cool air of the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.

Consider storing your beans in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure to remove all the air from the bag prior to resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool location. This method will also help the beans to last longer, but it's best 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 the best idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture and can alter their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet, sealed with an airtight, clear container.

If your beans don't come in a bag with an open valve, you will need to transfer them into containers that are tightly sealed and opaque, like the online coffee beans Gator canister. It's important that you note that the fridge can also be a little too cold for coffee, which could affect the taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To maintain the freshness of your beans, place them in an opaque container (not transparent), at room temperature. A dark, cool pantry is the best place to store them, but a closet or cupboard can also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge will extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. It could alter the flavor of your brew and even cause them to go stale quicker due to its cold temperature. In addition the moisture and food odors in the fridge can affect the beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

Once the seal has been broken on your beans, it's recommended to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for some time (depending on the extent of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). The storage of your coffee beans near an oven or kitchen counter, or any other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight may be a bad idea. These places can get extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a big one because beans absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute their natural flavors. It can also accelerate oxidation because the bean can alter the molecular structure which provides them with their distinctive aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose flavor.

If you're able keep your beans in the sealed, resealable bag that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container then freshness should last for approximately a week before they begin to decay. They can go longer if you put them in the freezer, however you should be aware because the beans could suffer from freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer with them.

Storing coffee beans in the freezer

If you are spending $20 or more on a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's essential to know the best method of storing the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors and keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful when doing this it's best to transfer them to an Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezing burn.

While freezing isn't a good idea but it is a good option when you're short on time or travel and wish to take some of your favorite coffee with you. Frozen coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or pantry.

It's best to use the beans as soon as is possible however, we do not always have the luxury of. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cold place in an opaque airtight container, their shelf life can be extended up to 3 times. Give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the above guidelines carefully) you may be amazed at how much better your highest rated coffee beans will taste compared to the dull, lifeless beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.