The joys coffee brings in the morning (and sometimes afternoons) are unmeasurable. Who doesn’t love waking up to the smell of a hot cup of coffee that’s fragrant, dark, and ready to be mixed with your favorite sweeteners and milk of choice?
Whether you enjoy a cappuccino, espresso, latte, or plain coffee, having coffee on hand in your pantry provides a comforting routine and a nice jolt of caffeine in the morning.
If you enjoy preparing coffee at home, you probably want to know how to store your coffee beans and keep them fresher for longer. We recommend storing your whole beans, then grinding them when you need to brew coffee because whole beans can better preserve their rich aroma and flavor. You’ll want to try these foolproof hacks from Planetary Design if you are looking for the best coffee beans storage for the best shelf life.
Factors Influencing Coffee Bean Freshness
Light, air, time, moisture, and buying ground coffee are the primary elements that influence coffee freshness.
Sunlight: Heat and UV light may rapidly decrease the taste of your coffee beans.
Oxygen: Like other perishable foods, the organic molecules in coffee degrade and lose taste integrity when exposed to oxygen for an extended period. This is known as oxidation.
Time: Coffee will lose its freshness over time. That’s all there is to it.
Moisture: Because coffee beans are porous, they absorb the taste of everything around them when exposed to damp, humid environments.
Obtain Ground Coffee: The oxidation process is exacerbated when coffee beans are ground before brewing. Because of the higher surface area of coffee exposed to air at once, ground coffee goes stale more quicker than whole beans.
Store at Room Temperature In an Airtight Container
According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), the worst enemies of coffee beans are air, moisture, heat, and light, each of which breaks down the tastes and smells of coffee beans in various ways.
To keep your beans safe from these factors, the NCA suggests keeping them in an airtight, opaque container that doesn’t let much light get through. Room temperature is ideal for coffee beans, but the NCA recommends finding a location in your kitchen, pantry, or counter that is not too near to your oven or exposed to direct sunlight.
Store Coffee In Its Original Packaging
Because the package your beans arrive in is not suited for long-term preservation, purchasing a separate airtight coffee container is the best option. Whole coffee beans may be kept in this manner for up to nine months, but not longer, since the quality decreases with time.
Many coffee experts advocate moving whole coffee beans to an airtight container for long-term preservation. Some people prefer to retain them in their original packaging, particularly if the coffee bag has a one-way valve that allows gas to escape but not oxygen to enter. Gas may build up in coffee over time, but this one-way valve included in newer coffee bag types prevents this from happening. These bags do an excellent job of keeping the beans closed and out of direct sunlight.
Purchase the Right Quantity
Almost soon after roasting, coffee starts to lose freshness. Purchase smaller amounts of freshly roasted coffee more regularly for one or two weeks.
Air exposure is harmful to your beans. If you want to keep your beans in an accessible or appealing container, split your coffee supply into multiple smaller parts, with the larger, unused amount stored in an airtight container.
Because of the increased exposure to oxygen, this is particularly crucial when purchasing pre-ground coffee. If you purchase whole beans, grind what you need before brewing.
Store Coffee Beans In the Freezer
While the coffee community is split on whether or not to freeze beans, many experts believe that it may safely extend the shelf life of your coffee. Because of its darkness and consistent temperature, freezer storage is perfect.
However, the National Coffee Association recommends putting them in an airtight container for the greatest protection against moisture, smells, and tastes in the freezer. Another freezer advice is to refrain from defrosting and refreezing them. This produces moisture, which ages the coffee.
Whole Bean Vs. Ground Coffee – Which One Lasts Longer?
You may be wondering if the ground coffee or whole-bean coffee lasts longer. However, whole-bean coffee will last significantly longer.
An unopened bag of freshly roasted coffee beans has a shelf life of around six months. After that, the quality and taste will begin to deteriorate. You may utilize your beans for up to 6-9 months before expiration. However, its flavor may be mild.
Because ground coffee has a larger surface area, it loses taste faster than whole-bean coffee. Once ground, coffee oxidizes, interacting with the air and influencing the taste molecules. Your unopened ground coffee will last around 3-5 months.
Buying whole beans and keeping them as described above is suggested for the freshest cup of coffee available. When preparing your next cup of coffee, grind what you need and save the remainder to guarantee your morning cup of caffeine is as tasty as possible.
How Long Will Coffee Beans Last in the Bag After They Are Opened?
Once opened, quality beans have a maximum shelf life of two weeks. Ground coffee stored in a canister can last for up to a month. Sealed beans in their original packaging should be kept for six to nine months from the roast date; when they’re unground and unopened, they can maintain their compounds better and stay fresher.
Storing coffee beans in a canister ensures freshness and improves overall roast quality. Keep your beans completely airtight and away from any well-lit areas.
Do You Need to Vacuum Seal Coffee Beans?
Vacuum-sealing plastic bags will help preserve the quality of your coffee beans if you store them properly at home. This can be a hassle for some, so we recommend making the process as simple as possible by using an airtight coffee canister.