How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans can go bad. This is due oxidation and loss of flavor compounds that are volatile.
The good news is that you can preserve the fresh flavors for a few weeks by following a few easy guidelines. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to Store Coffee Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans are degraded quickly. To get coffee beans london from your beans, you must to store them properly. Many people are confused on how to go about this, however. Some people think that they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the most efficient method.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from their biggest enemies: moisture and air. Moisture and air can both cause beans to lose their fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. Heating can also ruin the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can take away their natural shine too.
It's not a wise idea to store coffee beans in your refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, like cheese and onions in the refrigerator which could alter the taste of your coffee. They could also be exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.
Consider storing your beans either in the container that you originally used or in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure to push out all of the air before sealing the bag and store it in a cool, dark and dry place. This can make the beans last for a longer time, but the ideal time to use them is within 72 hours after roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators however this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food smells which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container.
If your beans don't come in a bag with a one way valve, you'll need to move them into an container that is sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee, which may alter the taste of the coffee.
Air, heat and moisture are the primary enemies of coffee bean. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans, keep them in an opaque container (not transparent), at room temperature. A dark, cool, dark pantry is the ideal storage space, however, a closet or cabinet is also acceptable. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf-life, however you may want to try it. It could alter the flavor of your beverage and cause them to go stale faster due to its cold temperature. Additionally the food and beverage smells that are present in the fridge could cause damage to your beans.
Storing coffee beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging of your beans is broken, it is recommended to keep the beans in a dark, dry place at the temperature of room and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on how much 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 the ideal option because these areas can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is a major factor because beans can absorb moisture from the air, and this could alter the natural flavors. The heat can also accelerate the process of the process of oxidation as the bean may break the molecular structure that creates their aromas. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils and causes the flavor to fade away.
If you're able keep your beans in the bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came in, or an equivalent airtight opaque container, then freshness should last for approximately a week before they begin to degrade. They may last longer if you put them in the freezer, but you should be cautious since the beans may suffer from freezer burn, and they could also absorb odors from food that are floating around in the freezer along with them.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're spending $20 or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it is important to know the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors 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 freezing burn.
While it's not ideal however, it can be beneficial in the event that you're strapped for time or travel and wish to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a less pronounced flavor than beans that are stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
It is best to use your beans as soon as you can however, we may not always have the luxury of. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cold space in a dark, airtight container, their shelf life can be extended by up to three times. So, give it a try (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you may be amazed by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and lifeless beans that went bad in the fridge or freezer.