The Secret Life Of Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
Just like a banana that's left on the counter for several days, coffee beans go bad. This is due to oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds.
The good news is you can preserve the fresh flavors for up to a week with a few simple guidelines. Heat, humidity and air are your beans' greatest enemies!
How to keep coffee beans in storage
It's no secret that coffee beans go through a process of degradation quickly. To get the best flavor from your beans, you have to store them properly. Despite this, many people aren't sure how best to store their beans. Some think they can just put their beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the most efficient way to do it.
The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight and opaque container at room temperature. This will protect your beans from the most formidable enemies: air, moisture, and heat. Air and moisture can ruin the beans' fresh roast flavor, and moisture can also make them taste weaker. Also, coffee beans uk www.coffeee.uk can destroy the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce their natural shine.
It's not a wise idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other food items, like cheese and onions in the fridge and alter the flavor of your espresso. They can also be exposed to moisture and condensation from the refrigerator's cold air.
Instead, think about storing your beans in the container they were packaged in, or in a bag that can be resealable. Be sure to eliminate all the air from the bag before sealing it, and store it in a dark, cool place. This method will also help the beans to last a bit longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours of roasting.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge
Most people store their beans in the fridge but this isn't a good idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb moisture and food odors and negatively impact their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight, transparent container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work just fine in the fridge, but if your beans didn't come in this type of container, you'll need to transfer them to a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to note that the fridge can also be a little cold for coffee, which may affect the taste of the coffee.
The most common enemies of coffee beans are air, heat and moisture. To preserve their roasted freshness you should store your beans in an airtight opaque (not transparent) container at temperatures of room temperature. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, however a wardrobe or a cabinet can also be used. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong the shelf-life of your coffee, but you might want to consider it. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing it to get stale faster. The moisture and food smells in the refrigerator can cause damage to your coffee beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
When the seal on the packaging is broken on your beans, it is recommended to store them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor and freshness of the coffee for a time (depending on the amount 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 may be an undesirable idea. These places can get very 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 is also enhanced by heat, as beans disintegrate the molecular structures that give them their aromas and flavors. Also, heat deprives the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose flavor.
If you keep your beans in the resealable single-way valve bag that they came in, or in an airtight, opaque container that is equivalent to it, they'll stay fresh for approximately a week. They can be kept longer in the fridge, but be cautious as they could be prone to freezer burn or absorb any food odors in the fridge.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer
If you're spending 20 dollars or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to know the best method to store the beans. Coffee absorbs flavor, aromas and moisture which is why storing it in an airtight container in a cool, dark space will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze the beans but it is recommended to store them in a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezer burn.
While freezing isn't a good idea but it is a good option in the event that you're strapped for time or travel and wish to bring some of your favorite coffee with you. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry.
As you can see, it's recommended to use your beans with a single hand, but sometimes you aren't able to afford that. Making sure that your coffee beans are stored properly can extend their shelf-life by up to three times if you're using 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 have been rotten in the fridge or freezer.