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How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Similar to a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans also go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.

The good news is that you can preserve fresh flavors for a few weeks by following a few simple tips. The elements of heat, moisture and air are your beans' greatest enemies!

How do you keep coffee beans in storage

It's not a secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To get the most flavor out of your beans, it is essential to properly store them. Many people are confused on how best to do this, though. Many people think they can put their beans in the fridge. This isn't the most efficient method.

The key is storing your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperatures. This will protect your beans from the two biggest enemies: moisture and air. The air can rob beans of their fresh-roasted flavor and moisture could weaken the beans as well. The heat can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce their natural shine.

It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They can absorb the flavor and odors from other foods in the refrigerator, like onions and cheese which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They could also be exposed to condensation and moisture 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 you push out all air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark location. This will allow the beans to last a bit longer, however it is recommended to consume them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge

Many people store their Premium Black Donkey Kaffeeröster 1kg Whole Coffee Beans beans in the refrigerator but this isn't an ideal idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors of food and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet in an airtight, transparent container.

If your beans don't come in a coffee bag equipped with a one-way valve, you'll need to transfer them to the container that is sealed and opaque, such as the Coffee Gator canister. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge might be a little cold for coffee, which can impact its taste.

The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To keep the freshness of your beans, store them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at room temperature. The ideal place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes will also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It will prolong its shelf life, but you may want to try it. The cold temperatures can alter the taste of your coffee and cause it to deteriorate faster. The smells of food and coffeee moisture in the fridge can damage your coffee beans.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry

When the seal on the packaging of the beans is broken, it's best to store them in a dark area at temperatures of room temperature and in an airtight container. This will keep the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee bean coffee for a time (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the best idea because these places can become extremely hot and accelerate oxidation.

Moisture is one of the main reasons because the beans can absorb moisture from the air and this can alter their natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat as the bean has the ability to destroy the molecular structure which give them their aromas and flavors. 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 the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to degrade. They can go longer if you place them in the freezer, however you must be cautious since the beans may be prone to freezer burn and they could also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer along with them.

Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer

If you're spending 20 dollars or more for a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it is essential to know the best method of storing the beans. Coffee is like sponges and can absorb moisture, aromas and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool dark location in an airtight, opaque container will keep the flavor protected. 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 them to avoid freezer burn.

While freezing is not ideal it can be helpful if you have a short time frame or you're on the road and want to bring along your favorite roast. However, coffee beans that have been frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less subtle flavor than beans that are properly stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

As you can see it's recommended to use your beans in a lickety-split fashion, but sometimes we simply don't have the luxury. If you keep your coffee beans in a dark, cool container that is airtight and opaque container, their shelf life can be extended by as much as three times. Give your coffee a try (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be surprised at how much better your coffee will taste when compared to the dull and stale beans that rotted in the freezer or fridge.