How to Store Coffee Beans To Keep Fresh

Not necessarily in that order - but let's break these elements down

Exposure to air will quickly diminish the flavour of the beans as the surface begins to oxidise - losing its freshness.

Moisture getting to the beans will essentially allow development of mold. Even on small areas of the bean. This will lead to the beans becoming stale and unpleasant a lot faster.

Heat is also a contributing factor to stale coffee beans. Heat can cause the beans to expand and therefore let moisture in.

Exposing your beans to light is also a big no no. Essentially the same thing will happen to the beans as the other elements. It will speed up the deterioration of the coffee which will lead to stale beans developing quicker than if stored securely.

What is the best container for storing coffee beans?

 

 

 

To store your coffee, a sealed, dark container is great but if you want to go a step further and invest in the best type of container - we recommend using one that is vacuum sealed. 

Metal and ceramic containers are the best when it comes to storing beans for freshness as they are non absorbent materials and will not absorb the aromas from your beans.

Glass containers are the next best option but you need to ensure that they are not left on the counter and exposed to too much light and also you'll need to make extra sure you have screwed the lid on tight.

Lastly, we have plastic containers. Generally not advised for long term storage of coffee, however if you are storing beans to be used within a week or 2, this is another viable option.

Can I store coffee beans in the fridge or freezer? 

The short answer? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately unlike most other perishables, cold temperatures are not a failsafe method when it comes to freshness.

Mostly because your fridge and freezer contains other food and moisture. The exact things that can spoil your beans and affect your flavour.

Beware: may taste like cardboard or chicken nuggets. 

Best practices for storing coffee beans

When you purchase freshly roasted speciality coffee from us , we send it out in a recyclable bag with a small degassing valve. The degassing valve allows the carbon dioxide to release between roasting and consuming.

We recommend transferring directly into a dark, airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.

The best place would be your kitchen cupboard or a similar space that is not overly exposed to light regularly.

 

Buying Practices

Purchasing coffee little and often is the best way to ensure that you are consistently being delivered the freshest coffee and making the most of its shelf life.

For example, are you a home barista who loves coffee? Look into a regular coffee subscription where you get a bag delivered either bi-weekly or monthly. This way, you know you will be getting the freshest batch of roasted coffee with a consistent taste every time.

How do you ensure you are buying the freshest coffee?

Here are some of our tips:

• Ensure you are purchasing from a company who favour roasting beans in small batches
• Order smaller quantities, more often
• Take note of the roast date from your chosen coffee company
• Look into a regular subscription service

Conclusion

It’s clear to see that coffee beans lose flavour over time. For maximum freshness, store beans properly.

Use an dark, airtight container. Keep in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat.

Don't buy more than you'll use in a few weeks. The fresher the beans, the better they'll taste. 

Grind beans yourself right before brewing if possible.

Once ground, use coffee quickly. 

Restock with fresh beans often. 

Who doesn't love an excuse for another cup?