Five Things You Don't Know About Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a couple of weeks by following a few simple guidelines. The elements of heat, moisture and air are your beans' biggest enemies!
How to store Coffee Beans
It's not a secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. In order to maximize the flavor of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Despite this, many people aren't sure how best to store them. coffee bean company believe they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best way to go about it.
The key is storing your beans in an airtight, transparent container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from their most formidable enemies such as moisture, air and heat. Moisture and air can both ruin the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while moisture can also make them taste weaker. Heat can also destroy the aroma and flavor of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce their natural shine.
In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than beneficial. They could absorb the flavors of other food items, like cheese and onions in the fridge which could alter the taste of your coffee. They are also exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they came in or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure to push out all the air prior to sealing the bag again, and store it in a cool, dark area. This will help the beans last longer, however it is recommended to use them within 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the fridge however it's not an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb moisture and food odors which can adversely affect their flavor. The ideal place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work perfectly in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged in this type of container, you'll have to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee, which may affect the taste.
Moisture, heat, and air are the primary enemies of coffee bean. To preserve the freshness of their roast, you must store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but an armoire or cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee in the refrigerator will extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee and cause it to become stale quicker. The moisture and food smells in the fridge can harm your coffee beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it is recommended to keep them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for some time (depending on the amount of exposure to heat, oxygen, and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or kitchen counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal idea since these places could become very hot and will accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is often a major factor, as the beans can absorb moisture in the air. This can weaken the natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation, as beans destroy the molecular structure that creates their distinctive aromas. Also, heat strips the bean of their natural oils which causes them to lose taste.
If you store your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight opaque container that's similar in size, they'll be fresh for about one week. They can be kept longer in the refrigerator, but be careful as they could suffer from freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer
If you're spending 20 dollars or more for bags of premium coffee beans, it is important to understand the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors, so keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark space 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 an Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burning in the freezer.
Although freezing isn't a good idea, it can help if you have a limited period of time, or if you're planning to travel and bring along your favorite roast. Coffee beans frozen in the freezer aren't as fresh and have a less intense flavor than beans stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
As you can see it's ideal to use your coffee beans as a whole but sometimes we simply don't have the luxury. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly can extend their shelf-life by at least three times if you're using them in a cold dark location in an airtight container. Give the idea a go (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be surprised by how much better your coffee will taste when compared to the dull, lifeless beans that went bad in the freezer or fridge.