A Peek Inside Coffee Beans Fresh's Secrets Of Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter coffee beans can turn bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
The good news is you can preserve your fresh roast flavors for several weeks by following a few simple guidelines. The most formidable enemies of beans are air, moisture, and heat!
How to keep coffee beans safe? Beans
It's no secret, coffee beans degrade rapidly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Despite this, many are unsure of the best to store them. Many people believe that they can just put their beans in the refrigerator, but this isn't actually the best way to do it.
Store your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will safeguard the beans from the most formidable enemies such as moisture, air and heat. Air can rob the beans of their fresh roasted flavor and moisture could weaken them as well. Heat can also destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans.
It's not a good idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They can absorb the flavors and odors from other foods in the refrigerator, like onions and cheese that can adversely affect the flavor of your coffee. They also are exposed to moisture and condensation due to the cold air in the refrigerator.
It is possible to store your beans in the container that you originally used or in a plastic bag that can be resealable. Make sure you push out all air prior to sealing the bag, and store it in cool, dark area. This will also make the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after roasting.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't an ideal idea. Coffeee stored in the refrigerator absorb moisture and food smells, which can negatively affect their flavor. The best place to store your coffee is the dark cabinet, with an airtight, opaque and airtight container.
A coffee bag with one-way valves will work just fine in the refrigerator however if your beans weren't packaged in this sort of packaging it is necessary to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge could be a little too cold for coffee, which can impact its taste.
Moisture, heat, and air 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 the temperature of room. A dark, cool, dark pantry is a great place to store them, but a closet or a cupboard can also be used. Storing coffee in a refrigerator can help prolong the shelf life of your coffee, but it's not recommended. It can affect the flavors of your beverage and make them stale quicker due to its cold temperature. The smells of food and water in the refrigerator could harm your coffee beans.
Storing coffee beans in the Pantry
After the seal of the packaging has been broken on your beans, it's best to store them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is absorbed by the beans). It is best to store your coffee beans close to an oven or kitchen counter, or any other area where they are exposed to direct sunlight may be a bad idea. These places can get very hot and accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is an important factor because beans absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce their natural flavors. It can also accelerate oxidation because the bean can destroy the molecular structure that gives them their aromas. Heating also strips the beans of their natural oils which results in them losing taste.
If you keep your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag they came in or in an airtight, opaque container that is similar in size, they'll be fresh for approximately one week. You can store them for longer in the fridge but be aware that they may suffer from freezer burn or absorb any odors of food in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're shelling out $20 or more for a premium bag of coffee beans, it's crucial to know how long they'll keep and what the best methods are to keep them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture which is why storing 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 when doing this it's best to move them into an Ziploc bag prior to freezing them to avoid burning in the freezer.
While freezing is not ideal it is a good option if have a limited amount of time or you're planning to travel and 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 refrigerator or pantry.
As you can see it's best to use your 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 store them in a dark, cold space in an airtight, opaque container. If you decide to give it a try (be sure to follow the directions above carefully) you might be amazed by how much better your coffee will taste compared to the dull and uninteresting beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.