What Is The Secret Life Of Coffee Beans Fresh
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh Like a banana left on the counter coffee beans are prone to going bad. This is caused by oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds. The good news is that you can preserve the fresh flavors for some weeks with a few simple guidelines. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' worst enemies! How to keep coffee beans in storage It's no secret that coffee beans deteriorate quickly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, you need to store them in a proper manner. Many people are confused about how best to do this, however. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best method for doing it. The most important thing is to store your beans in an airtight and transparent container at room temperature. This will shield the beans from their greatest enemies which are air, moisture and heat. The air can strip the beans of their fresh roast flavor and moisture could weaken the beans as well. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine too. It is not a good idea to keep coffee beans in your refrigerator. They can absorb the flavors and odors of other food items in the refrigerator, like cheese and onions which can negatively affect the taste of your coffee. They also are exposed to moisture and condensation from the frig's cold air. Instead, consider 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 keep it in a cool, dark area. This will allow the beans last a bit longer, but it is ideal to use them within 72 hours after roasting. Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge Many people keep their coffee beans in their refrigerators but this isn't a great idea. Coffee beans stored in a refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet that is sealed with an airtight and transparent container. A coffee bag with an one-way valve can work perfectly in the fridge however if the beans weren't packaged in this kind of packaging, you'll need to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container like a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge might also be too cold for the coffee, which can alter the taste of the coffee. Moisture, heat and air are the primary enemies of coffee bean. To keep online coffee beans of your roasted beans, place them in an opaque container (not transparent), at the room temperature. The best place to store them is a cool, dark pantry, but cabinets or wardrobes can also be used. It is not recommended to store coffee in the refrigerator. It will extend its shelf-life, however you might want to consider it. The cold temperatures can alter the flavor of your coffee, causing it to go through a stale-like process faster. The smells of food and the moisture in the refrigerator can also damage your coffee beans. Storing coffee beans in the Pantry When the seal on the packaging is broken on your beans, it is recommended to keep them in a dark area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep the flavor, aroma and freshness of the coffee for a while (depending on the amount of exposure to oxygen, heat, and moisture). Storing your beans in a cabinet near an oven or kitchen counter where they receive direct sunlight isn't the best idea since these places could be extremely hot and accelerate the process of oxidation. Moisture is a big one since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air and this can dilute their natural flavors. Heat can also accelerate the process of oxidation as the bean may destroy the molecular structure, which creates their distinctive aromas. Also, heat deprives the bean of its natural oils, causing the flavor to fade away. If you keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag they came in, or in an airtight container that is equivalent to it, they'll stay fresh for about one week. You can keep them longer in the fridge, but be cautious as they could suffer from freezer burn or absorb any odors from food in the fridge. Storing coffee beans in the freezer If you are spending $20 or more on bags of premium coffee beans, it's important to understand the best method of storing the beans. Coffee absorbs aromas, moisture and flavors and storing 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 place them in the form of a Ziploc bag first to avoid freezing burn. While freezing is not ideal it can help if you have a limited period of time, or if you're traveling and wish to bring along some of your favourite roast. However, frozen coffee beans will not be as fresh and will have a more muted flavor than beans that are properly stored in the fridge or pantry. It is recommended to consume the beans as soon as you can, but we don't always have that luxury. The proper storage of your coffee beans will extend their shelf-life three times if you store them in a dark, cold place in an airtight opaque container. You may be surprised at how much better the coffee will taste as compared to beans that were rotten in the freezer or fridge.