When you store coffee beans the wrong way, you risk losing all the beautiful flavours. I learned this the hard way. Recently, I brought my favourite coffee bean. It had notes of dark chocolate, toasted walnut and burnt caramel. Excited, I brewed a cup the moment I got home. Afterward, I sealed the packet and popped it into the freezer.
Two days later, I brewed another cup. While the chocolate-walnut notes were still there, the coffee tasted… off. Oddly enough, it had hints of onions and garlic. Confused, I sniffed the bag again, only to realize the beans had absorbed those smells.
If you’ve been in a similar situation, you know the disappointment. I’ve stored coffee beans in the freezer before without issues, so I knew I must’ve done something differently this time. I decided to dig into what went wrong and here’s what I found.
How To Keep Coffee Beans Fresh? Hacks That Work
There are certainly many ways one can store coffee beans to keep them fresh, including storing it in a freezer. The difference is in doing it right. Here are some hacks you can try, that worked for me:
1. Store in original packaging
Most quality coffee bags come with one-way valves and air-tight seals designed to keep your beans fresh by letting carbon dioxide out while keeping oxygen and moisture out. If your beans came in such packaging, it’s usually safe to store them in that very bag. Just make sure to reseal it properly after each use. However, avoid storing beans in loosely packed or paper-based bags that aren’t air-tight, they allow light, moisture, and smells to seep in, which can ruin the flavour over time.
2. Store in an airtight container
Say your coffee beans come in poor packaging that has no valve to seal the air out. Your next best bet is an airtight container. However, there are certain criterias this container must meet. For once it should have the capability to lock air out, that’s a given but you must a;sp try to get a dark container, unlike a clear one. I personally like this canister by Fellow, it helps keep the light out and the coffee fresh for longer.
3. Use a vacuum sealer
I picked this style of storing coffee from a friend and it takes a little bit of effort, but works well if you buy coffee in bulk. This includes dividing your coffee into small brew-sized portions and vacuum seal (like this one) each bag. Once sealed you can now store this in the freezer. Each time you wish to brew, take the packet out, let it defrost and you are good to go. This method helps each pack stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
4. Keep it on your table top
I know many of you would still prefer storing it on your kitchen top, where it’s convenient to just use and pop it back up. There’s something you can do for that as well. The first rule is to use a dark, air-tight container; there is no replacement for that. Secondly, store it in a cupboard that’s away from direct sunlight and in a cool and dry spot to avoid contact with moisture, air or light. Lastly, always buy coffee beans in smaller quantities, to avoid risking exposure while opening and using the coffee beans.
5. Store it in the freezer (the right way)
Honestly, freezing coffee beans isn’ t as bad, only if you do it right. My lesson was that I didn’t keep the coffee I bought in an air-sealed packet. The key is to avoid repeated exposure to air and moisture. Never freeze a large bag and keep opening it daily. Instead, divide your beans into smaller portions, seal them tightly in vacuum bags or airtight containers, and only open them once they’ve returned to room temperature.
How To Avoid Storing Coffee Beans?
We have talked about how we should store coffee beans, let’s also look at the mistakes one must avoid while storing coffee beans.
#1 Avoid storing in grinder containers
Most coffee grinders come with storage for coffee beans, however in my experience they are poorly designed for aesthetics and use for the grinders body itself rather than to solve the purpose of storing beans. With plastic or clear glass storage and no clear air-tight lids they make a poor solution for storing beans.
#2 Avoid glass containers
Glass jars look nice on the shelves but they make a poor coffee storage option. These clear containers make it easy for light to seep in risking the taste of coffee and its flavor profile. If you still want to use a glass container, try storing it in a dark place in a canister that has a vacuum-tight lid.
#3 Do not open the bag multiple times
Do not store coffee beans in a large bag where you have to open the bag multiple times. Doing this you risk exposure to air and moisture which degrades the quality of coffee. Instead, store coffee beans in a smaller portion size.
How Long Do Coffee Beans Stay Fresh?
How long your coffee beans last depends on whether you’re storing them as is, after roasting or after grounding. This goes without saying, but a sealed packet will last until the date of expiry mentioned on the packet. If you open the coffee beans and store it in an air-tight space at room temperature, it can last up to 2 weeks.
If you refrigerate it, it might last a little longer; that is somewhere around 3 weeks. If you roast your coffee beans and then store it, they do add to the longevity of the coffee. The aroma’s more potent that way. Then it lasts 3 weeks or sometimes more. If beans or ground coffee is frozen, they may keep the flavor profile intact for longer, around 2 months.
How Do I Tell If Coffee Beans Have Gone Stale?
How a coffee smells gives up pretty much about what it’s going to taste like. When wondering if your coffee beans have gone stale, the best way to do it is to sniff it. If you smell and discover any of these notes:
- Sour (Like an old lemon)
- Dirty
- Carboardy
- Flavorless
- Dry
Your coffee has gone stale. You will pretty much know the difference. Think about what notes the coffee actually is, chocolate and walnut, chances are if they’re stale you are not getting a whiff of any of those. Coffee’s aroma usually oxidises after the 2 week mark, hence the probability of it losing its taste increases.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For Storing Coffee Beans?
Ideally, you should be storing coffee beans at around a temperature of 20 to 25 degree celsius of 60 to 75 degree fahrenheit. Staying within these temperature ranges ensures the coffee is not exposed to extreme temperatures that could degrade the quality of the beans.
While storing at room temperature in your kitchen, ensure it’s kept away from extreme heat or where the temperature constantly fluctuates like the window. When storing it in the freezer, always ensure the packet is air-sealed so the moisture does not get in.
How Does Exposure To Air Affect Coffee Beans?
When exposed to air, coffee goes through a process called Oxidation. Oxidation is a process when a substance is exposed to the oxygen in air it alters the chemical proposition of that substance. Coffee beans contain different flavor profiles and oils, when exposed to air, the process of oxidation begins. Which in turn makes the coffee lose its flavor, freshness and color.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, coffee beans can be stored in their original packaging provided it comes with a valve to air-seal the contents within. If not, it’s best to transfer it to an air-tight container.
Yes, you can freeze your coffee beans. To do this, you must store coffee beans in smaller brew-sized bags and it must be vacuum-sealed. This way, your coffee will not be exposed to air or moisture from the freezer.
6 months is a long time to store coffee beans. If you still prefer storing it for 6 months, freezing them is your best choice. Air-tight containers are your best bet in this case.
Yes, you can drink coffee from old beans. However, their taste might not be the same as when they are fresh. Coffee beans lose some of their flavors the moment they are exposed to air, hence drinking is fine, they just won’t taste the same.
1 kg of coffee beans should last you up to 3 weeks to 1 month. This also depends on how frequently you consume coffee.
If your coffee beans are sealed tight in their original packaging, you can store it like that for a while. Next, you must roast the beans if they are not roasted and store in an air-tight, opaque container in a cool and dry place.
Coffee beans should be stored in a cool and dark place, where they are least exposed to light and temperature fluctuations. Doing this helps keep the freshness of the coffee intact for longer.
No, you should not grind coffee beans before storing them. Grinding coffee beans exposes them to air, which expedited the process of coffee losing out on its flavor. It’s best to store them whole and then grind whenever you wish to brew.
When buying coffee beans in bulk, you can divide them in smaller batches and store in an air-sealed bag. This helps avoid constant contact with the beans when you open the same bag over and again.
Yes, vacuum sealing helps preserve coffee beans’ freshness to a great extent.
You can reuse old containers only after cleaning them and getting rid of the old coffee’s smell. The old coffee may have lost its flavor over time, the remaining coffee at the bottom may have also developed a sour taste. Adding fresh coffee without properly cleaning it can impact the taste of the new batch.