5 Qualities People Are Looking For In Every Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due to oxidation and the loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh flavor of roasted beans for a couple of weeks by following a few simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' worst enemies!
How do you store coffee beans
It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you need to properly store them. However, a lot of people are unsure of how best to do it. Some people think that they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the best option.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air and moisture can take away the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also weaken them. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can take away the natural shine of the beans as well.
In fact, keeping coffee beans in a refrigerator can be more harmful than beneficial. They can absorb the flavors and odors of other food items in the refrigerator, like cheese and onions which can negatively affect the flavor of your coffee. They may also be exposed to condensation and moisture from the refrigerator's cold air.
It is possible to store your beans in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Be sure to remove all air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a dark, cool space. This can make the beans last longer, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Most people store their coffee beans in the refrigerator, but it's not an ideal solution. Coffee beans in the fridge absorb odors and moisture from food items which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is a dark cabinet, sealed with an airtight, transparent container.
If your beans aren't in a coffee bag with a single-way valve, you'll need to transfer them into a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which could affect its taste.
Moisture, air and heat are the main enemies of coffee beans. To maintain the freshness of your roasted beans, keep them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at ambient temperature. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but a wardrobe or a cabinet will also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong its shelf-life, but you may want to test it. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. Additionally, the moisture and food smells in the fridge can also harm your beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging is broken on the beans, it's recommended to store them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is absorbed by the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or kitchen counter where they get direct sunlight isn't a good option as these places can be extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is an important factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this can alter their natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat because the bean can break down the molecular structures that provide them with their flavors and aromas. Heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, which makes them taste less.
If you can keep your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is equivalent in size, they'll be fresh for approximately a week. They will last longer if they are placed in the freezer, however you should be aware since the beans may suffer from freezer burn and they may also absorb odors of food that are floating around in the freezer with them.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're paying 20 dollars or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, you need to be aware of the length of time they'll last and what the best ways are to store them. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors 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 your beans, but be careful if you decide to do this it's best to move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid freezer burn.
While freezing isn't a good idea however, it can be beneficial if you are short on time or are traveling and would like to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. Frozen cafe coffee beans are not as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
As you can see it's recommended to use your beans with a single hand, but sometimes you aren't able to afford that. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cold location in an airtight, opaque container and their shelf life could be extended up to three times. If you decide to give it a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be amazed by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and stale beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.