Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Coffee Beans Fresh?

How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Just like a banana that's left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans also go bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is you can preserve those fresh flavors for several weeks by following a few easy tips. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' greatest enemies!

How to Keep Coffee Beans in the refrigerator? Beans

It's no secret, coffee beans are degraded quickly. In order to get the best flavor of your beans, it's essential to properly store them. Many people are unsure of how to best do this, though. Some think they can just put their beans in the fridge, but this isn't actually the best method for doing it.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from the greatest threats such as moisture, air and heat. Air can rob the beans of their fresh-roasted taste and moisture may weaken the beans' flavor. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine too.

It is not a good coffee beans (stafford-conway-4.Technetbloggers.de) idea to store coffee beans in your refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, like cheese and onions in the fridge which can affect the taste of your espresso. They can also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the frig's cold air.

Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to remove all the air from the bag before resealing it, and store it in a dark, cool space. This method can also make the beans last a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.

Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge

Most people store their coffee beans in the fridge but this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb the smells of food and moisture and can affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet, sealed with an airtight, clear container.

A coffee bean shop near me bag with one-way valves will work just fine in the fridge, but if your beans aren't in this type of container, it is necessary to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which may affect the taste.

The main enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To preserve their roasted freshness you should keep your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a dark, cool pantry, but an armoire or cabinet will also work. The storage of coffee in the fridge can help extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to get stale faster. The moisture and food smells in the refrigerator can cause damage to your coffee beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it is best to store the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will help preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on how much oxygen or heat is in contact with the beans). Storing your beans in a cabinet close to an oven or counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal option because these areas can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is often a major factor, as the beans can absorb moisture in the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Also, heat can accelerate the process of oxidation, as beans destroy the molecular structure that provides them with their aromas. The heat also strips the beans of its natural oils, which makes them taste less.

If you're able to keep your beans in their bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then the freshness will last approximately a week before they begin to deteriorate. You can keep them longer in the fridge but be aware that they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any food odors in the fridge.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you are spending $20 or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it is important to understand the best way to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors therefore storing 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 if you decide to do this it's best to move them into the inside of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing is not ideal it is a good option if have a short time frame or you're planning to travel and bring along some of your favorite roast. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a weaker flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

It's recommended to use the beans as soon as possible however, we may not always have that luxury. 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 3 times. So go ahead and give it 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 stale beans that went bad in the fridge or freezer.