5 Clarifications On Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans go bad. This is because of oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
The good news is you can preserve your fresh flavors for several weeks with a few simple guidelines. Your beans' worst enemies are moisture, air and heat!
How to store coffee beans
It's no secret that coffee beans degrade rapidly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, you have to store them properly. Many people are unsure of how best to do this, however. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the refrigerator, but this isn't actually the most efficient way to do it.
Store your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. Coffeee will protect your beans from their biggest enemies: moisture and air. The air can rob beans of their fresh-roasted taste, and moisture can dilute them as well. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can smudge their natural shine too.
It's not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They may absorb the flavor of other foods, such as onions and cheese in the fridge which can affect the taste of your espresso. They are also exposed to cold air from the refrigerator to condensation and moisture.
Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to remove all the air prior to sealing the bag and store it in a cool, dark place. This will allow the beans last longer, but it's best to use them within 72 hours of roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
A majority of people keep their beans in the refrigerator, but it's not the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb moisture and food odors and negatively impact their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in the dark cabinet, with an airtight, transparent container.
If your beans aren't in a coffee bag equipped with a one-way valve, you'll have to put them in a container that is tightly sealed and opaque, like the Coffee Gator canister. It's important to note that the fridge could be a bit too cold for coffee, which may affect the taste of the coffee.
Air, heat and moisture are the main enemies of coffee beans. To preserve their roasted freshness you should store your beans in an airtight and opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. The best place to keep them is a cool, dark pantry, however an armoire or cabinet could also work. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It can extend its shelf life, but you may want to try it. It can affect the flavors of your beverage and make them stale faster due to its cold temperature. In addition the food and beverage smells in the fridge can also harm your beans.
Coffee beans are stored in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging is broken on your beans, it is recommended to keep the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a time (depending on the degree of exposure to heat, oxygen and moisture). Storing your coffee beans in an oven, kitchen counter or other place where they are exposed to direct sunlight can be not a good idea. These areas can become extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is a major factor because the beans can absorb moisture from the air, and this could alter the natural flavors. Oxidation is also enhanced by heat, as beans destroy the molecular structure that provide them with their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, causing the flavor to fade away.
If you store your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is similar and fresh, they should last for approximately a week. They can be kept longer in the fridge but be cautious as they could be prone to freezer burns or absorb any odors from food in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're spending 20 bucks or more to purchase a haute bag of coffee beans, it's essential to know how long they'll last and what the best ways are to store them. Coffee is sponges and can absorb aromas, moisture and flavors. Therefore, keeping it in a cool dark place in an airtight opaque container will keep the flavor and aromas safe. You can also freeze the beans but it is best to store them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezing burn.
Although freezing isn't ideal, it could be beneficial if you have a short amount of time or if you're planning to travel and bring along some of your favourite roast. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a more subtle flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the refrigerator or pantry.
As you can see it's best to use your beans in a lickety-split fashion, but sometimes we do not have the luxury of. Storing your coffee beans properly will extend their shelf-life at least three times if you're using them in a cool dark location in an airtight container. You might be amazed by how much better the coffee will taste when as compared to beans that have been rotten in the fridge or freezer.