Are Coffee Beans Fresh The Greatest Thing There Ever Was?
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Similar to a banana left on the counter for a few days, coffee beans can go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
You can keep the fresh roasted flavor for a couple of weeks by following these simple tips. Moisture, air and heat are your beans' worst enemies!
How to keep coffee beans safe? Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. In order to get the most flavor out of your beans, it's essential to store them properly. Many people are confused on how to go about this, though. coffee beans bristol think they can put their beans in the refrigerator. This is not the best way to go about it.
The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight and opaque container at room temperature. This will safeguard the beans from their most formidable enemies which are air, moisture and heat. Moisture and air can both ruin the beans' fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also make them taste weaker. Heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) can also dull the natural shine of the beans.
It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors and odors of food items that are stored in the refrigerator like cheese and onions which could negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They can also be exposed to condensation and moisture due to the cold air in the refrigerator.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to remove all the air from the bag before sealing it and storing it in a dark, cool area. This will also help the beans last a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Many people store their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in the refrigerator absorb odors from food and water which can adversely affect their flavor. The ideal place to store your coffee is a dark cupboard with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work perfectly in the fridge, but if your beans didn't come in this type of packaging you'll have to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge can also be too cold for the coffee, which may alter the taste of the coffee.
Moisture, air and heat are the primary enemies of coffee beans. To keep the freshness of your coffee beans place them in a container that is opaque (not transparent) at temperatures that are at room temperature. The ideal place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however an armoire or cabinet can also be used. Storing coffee in the fridge will help extend its shelf life, but it's not recommended. It can alter the taste of your brew and even cause them to become stale quicker due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can also harm your coffee beans.
Storing coffee beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging of your beans is broken, it is best to store them in a dark location at ambient temperature and in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat and moisture). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter place where they are exposed to direct sunlight could be not a good idea. These areas can become very hot and accelerate oxidation.
Moisture is often a major factor in the bean's flavor, since it absorb moisture in the air. This can dilute the natural flavors. Oxidation also accelerates with heat because the bean can destroy the molecular structure that give them their flavors and aromas. Heating also deprives the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose flavor.
If you store your beans in the resealable one-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight opaque container that's similar and fresh, they should last for about a week. They can last longer if you store them in the freezer, however you have to be careful as the beans may suffer from freezer burn, and they may also absorb food odors that are floating around in the freezer them.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're paying 20 bucks or more to purchase an expensive bag of coffee beans, it's essential to be aware of how long they'll last and what the best methods are to keep them. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors, so keeping it in an opaque airtight container in a cool, dark location will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans but be careful if you do this it's best to transfer them to an Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid burning in the freezer.
While freezing isn't the best option, it can help if you have a limited time frame or you're on the road and want to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, coffee beans that have been frozen aren't as fresh and will have a more bland flavor than beans that are properly stored in the fridge or in the pantry.
As you can see, it's best to use your beans with a single hand, but sometimes you simply don't have the luxury. Storing your coffee beans properly can prolong their shelf-life by up to three times if you keep them in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container. You may be surprised by how much better the coffee will taste when as compared to beans that were rotten in the fridge or freezer.