3 Ways That The Coffee Beans Fresh Influences Your Life

How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

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

The good news is you can preserve your fresh roast flavors for a few weeks with a few simple tips. The elements of heat, moisture and air are your beans' most formidable enemies!

How to Store Coffee Beans

It's not a secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, it is essential to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused about how best to do this, though. Some think they can just put their beans in the fridge but that's not the best way to go about it.

Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect your beans from their greatest enemies such as moisture, air and heat. The air can strip the beans of their fresh-roasted flavor, and moisture can dilute the beans' flavor. The heat can also degrade the flavor and aroma of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can destroy their natural shine too.

In fact, keeping coffee beans in the refrigerator could be more harmful than helpful. They may absorb the flavor of other foods, like cheese and onions in the fridge which can alter the flavor of your espresso. They also are exposed to condensation and moisture from the cold air in the refrigerator.

Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they came in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Be  speciality coffee beans coffeee.uk  to eliminate all air from the bag prior to sealing it and storing it in a dark, cool area. This will help the beans to last longer, however it is recommended to consume them within 72 hours of roasting.

Storing coffee beans in the Fridge

Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans in the fridge absorb odors from food and water and negatively impact their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is a dark cabinet with an airtight, clear container.

If your beans don't come in a bag with an open valve, you'll need to move them into an container that is sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. The fridge could also be too cold for the coffee, which could alter the taste of the coffee.

Air, heat and moisture are the main enemies of coffee beans. To keep their freshness and roast, it is recommended to store your beans in a airtight, opaque (not transparent) container at temperatures of room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but an armoire or cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee in the fridge will help extend the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. It can alter the taste of your brew and even cause them to go stale more quickly due to the cold temperature. Additionally the food and moisture smells that are present in the fridge could cause damage to your beans.

Storing coffee beans in the Pantry

Once the packaging seal is broken on your beans, it's best to keep them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a prolonged period (depending on how much oxygen, heat, or moisture is in contact with the beans). The storage of your coffee beans near an oven or kitchen counter, or any other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight can be an undesirable idea. These areas can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.

Moisture is a big one because beans can absorb moisture from the air and this can dilute their natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat since the beans can degrade the molecular structures that provide them with their flavors and aromas. The heat also strips the beans of their natural oils which causes them to lose flavor.

If you're able keep your beans in their sealed, resealable bag which they came in or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to deteriorate. They can last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you should be aware because the beans might suffer from freezer burn and they may 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 a bag of gourmet coffee beans, it's important to understand the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs flavor, aromas and moisture and keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool place will help to preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to put them in the form of a Ziploc bag prior to freezing to avoid burns from freezing.

While freezing isn't a good idea but it can be helpful in the event that you're strapped for time or you are traveling and want to take some of your favorite coffee with you. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a more subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

As you can see it's ideal to use your coffee beans with a single hand, but sometimes you just don't have that luxury. Properly storing your coffee beans will extend their shelf-life up to three times, if you keep them in a dark, cold place in a sealed airtight container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste when contrasted with beans that had gone to rot in the freezer or fridge.