HOW TO BEST STORE YOUR PRECIOUS COFFFEE BEANS?
It's one of the questions we get most frequently, and with good reason. With proper storage, you can extend the freshness and lifespan of your coffee quite dramatically. We will look at both open bags and closed bags.
Whole beans will in general keep themselves fresher for longer, but the storage techniques are the same. Once you grind coffee, the oxidation process will start, and they will in general start the "staling process" earlier and faster.
Let's have a look:
Your beans’ greatest enemies are air, moisture, heat, and light. So the trick is to avoid these. In general, keep your beans in dark, cool location with little moist.
MY BAGS ARE NOT YET OPENED?
If bags are unopened, you can store the bags in a normal kitchen cabinet, but preferably not with other foods with strong aromas, as these over time can 'trickle' into the beans. Or, for example, not in a cabinet too close to the oven. The beans will stay fresh this way for about 6-8 weeks.
If you intend to store the beans for more than 2-3 months, you can actually freeze the coffee with good results. In this case, you need to make sure the container has as little air as possible. Most retail packaging are not ideal for long term storage, so an airtight canister with a seal can be a good option here.
OK, MY BAG IS OPEN. NOW WHAT?
If the bag is opened, it is best to store them in an opaque, air-tight container, at room temperature. Once again, a dry, cool place is best. Coffee beans can be beautiful to display and look at, but avoid clear containers, which will allow light to compromise the taste of your coffee.
This way, your coffee will stay fresh for 6-8 weeks. After that, most coffee drinkers would consider the coffee stale. It will have lost most details of aromas and flavors.
If you do not have an appropriate air-tight container, good coffee bags are actually the second best option, just make sure the re-seal mechanism is closed properly. We put a lot of energy into the design of our bags, to be a solid storage option for up to two months.
SOUNDS EASY! ANYTHING ELSE?
Yep, one thing more. As coffee does go stale in about 2 months time, even with proper storage, try to buy in the right quantity according to your consumption. This means buying fresh coffee continuously, and a supply that will last you from 4 and up to 6 weeks.
Buy coffee fresh. Be aware that most retailers have coffee that has been sitting in warehouses, distribution centers and store shelves for 3-5 months. Meaning the coffee is already stale when you unpack at the kitchen counter. Go for a provider that roasts and ships ongoing.
That's it! You should now be able to enjoy a fresher and better cup of coffee!
