20 Reasons Why Coffee Beans Fresh Will Never Be Forgotten
How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh
As with a banana left on the counter for several days, coffee beans go bad. This is due to oxidation, and the loss of volatile soluble flavor compounds.
The good news is you can preserve the fresh roasted flavors for a few weeks by implementing a few simple tips. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' most formidable enemies!
How to store Coffee Beans
It's no secret that coffee beans lose their flavor quickly. To ensure the best flavor from your beans, you must to store them properly. Many people are confused on how to go about this, though. Some people think they can simply put their beans in the fridge however this isn't the best way to do it.
Keep your beans at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. This will protect your beans from their biggest enemies: moisture and air. Moisture and air can both ruin the beans' fresh-roasted taste, while the moisture can make them less flavorful. The heat can also degrade the aroma and flavor of the beans, and light (especially sunlight) can ruin their natural shine, too.
It's not a good idea to store coffee beans in your refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors of other foods, such as cheese and onions in the refrigerator and affect the taste of your espresso. They also are exposed to moisture and condensation from the frig's cold air.
Instead, you can store your beans in the container they were packaged in or in a bag that can be resealable. Make sure you remove all air from the bag before sealing it again, and then store it in a dark, cool area. This can also aid in keeping the beans fresh a bit longer, however the optimum length of time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted.
Coffee beans are stored in the Fridge
Many people keep their coffee beans in the refrigerator but this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans kept in the refrigerator absorb food smells and moisture which can adversely affect their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet with an airtight, clear container.
A coffee bag with a one-way valve will work just fine in the fridge however if your beans aren't in this sort of packaging it is necessary to transfer them into a tightly sealed and opaque container, such as a glass jar or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. The fridge may also be too cold for the coffee beans types, which could affect its taste.
The primary enemies of specialty coffee beans (to rasmussen-fallon-2.blogbright.net) beans are heat, air and moisture. To ensure freshness of the coffee beans, it is recommended to store your beans in an airtight opaque (not transparent) container at the temperature of room. A dark, cool pantry is the best location to store them, however, a closet or cupboard can also work. It is not recommended to keep coffee in the refrigerator. It can prolong the shelf-life of your coffee, but you might want to try it. It could alter the flavor of your brew and even cause them to deteriorate faster due to its cold temperature. In addition, the moisture and food smells from the fridge can affect the beans.
Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry
Once the packaging seal is broken on the beans, it's recommended to store the beans in a dark space at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the aroma, flavor, and freshness of your coffee for a long time (depending on the amount of oxygen or heat is absorbed by the beans). Storing your beans in a cupboard near an oven or counters where they are exposed to direct sunlight isn't a good option as these places can become very hot and will accelerate the process of oxidation.
Moisture is an important factor since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can dilute their natural flavors. Oxidation can also be accelerated by heat since the beans can break down the molecular structures that provide them with their aromas and flavors. The heat also strips the bean of its natural oils, causing them to lose their flavor.
If you keep your beans in a resealable one-way valve bag that they came in or in an airtight, opaque container to it, they'll stay fresh for approximately a week. You can keep them longer in the refrigerator, but be careful 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 shelling out 20 bucks or more for an expensive bag of coffee beans, it's crucial to know how long they'll keep and what the best ways are to keep them. Coffee is like a sponge and can absorb aromas, moisture and flavors, so keeping it in a cool dark space in an airtight container will keep the flavor and aromas safe. You can also freeze your beans, but be careful if you decide to do this it's best to transfer them to a Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezing burn.
While freezing isn't the best option, it is a good option if have a limited time frame or you're planning to travel and bring along your favorite roast. However, frozen coffee beans aren't as fresh and will have a more bland flavor than beans that were stored correctly in the fridge or pantry.
It is recommended to use the beans as soon as possible however, we may not always have the luxury of. If you keep your speciality coffee beans beans in a dark, cold location in an airtight, opaque container the shelf life of your coffee beans can be extended by up to 3 times. Give it a shot (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be amazed at how much better the coffee will taste as compared to the coffee bean shop dull and uninteresting beans that have gone bad in the freezer or fridge.