A delicious cup of coffee always starts with the right beans - and while things like origin and roast are no doubt important, if they are not stored properly none of those things will matter. The taste will be changed regardless of where the beans came from.
So, how to store coffee beans to keep them nice and fresh until they’re ready to be used? That’s what we’ll be talking about here. We will also mention what you can do with beans that have unfortunately become stale.
Key Takeaways
- Ideal conditions for storing coffee include an opaque, airtight container placed somewhere without light, ideally in a cabinet.
- Coffee beans kept on display and exposed to light will start to lose their flavor sooner than those properly stored.
- Coffee beans shouldn’t be kept in a fridge or freezer, as they might absorb moisture and taste like your fridge’s contents.
- Coffee beans can expire - this usually happens after about 90 days when the bag is sealed shut and about 14 days after opening the bag.
- Ground coffee tends to expire quicker than coffee beans. The best way to store ground coffee is the same as for coffee beans.
- Stale coffee beans don’t have to be thrown away and can be used to prepare cold brews or as an art medium, among other things.
What Is the Best Place to Store Coffee Beans?
So, where to store coffee beans? According to numerous coffee experts, your beans should be kept in an opaque, airtight container, stored somewhere with a temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid using clear containers, as they let light in, which can also affect your beans.
What does it mean exactly? Your beans will be better off left in a cabinet - keeping them outside, for example, as decoration, can quickly make them lose their flavor.
To keep them fresh as long as possible, you should store them as far away from moisture and light as you can. Both of those things can influence the taste of your coffee.
Some coffee grinders come with a built-in storage space - is it good for storing your coffee? The answer is no, the container is not airtight enough for your coffee not to lose its flavor.
How to Store Ground Coffee?
Ground coffee can be stored in the same way as coffee beans. However, you should be aware that ground coffee will go stale more quickly than beans, simply because the area exposed to oxygen is bigger than in coffee beans.
Should You Freeze Your Beans?
There seems to be a misconception that keeping your coffee beans in a freezer or a refrigerator will help keep them in top shape and retain the flavor. However, that’s false. In fact, storing your beans that way can cause condensation to form once you take them out, and that will most likely affect how they taste.
Another thing is that beans that have already been roasted, regardless of the type of roast, are porous, which means that they more easily absorb moisture and other flavors, of which there is a lot in a fridge. So, instead of having notes of caramel, chocolate or berry, your coffee beans will taste like the contents of your fridge.
Does Coffee Form Matter?
The short answer is yes. When it comes to preserving coffee flavor, as mentioned earlier, the form in which coffee comes does make a difference, as whole beans help protect it for longer. Once they’re ground, the coffee oxidizes quickly, slowly losing its flavor and taste.
That’s why, if you buy your coffee as whole beans, you should only grind the coffee beans amount you need at the given moment - while it won’t be fully wasted if you grind more of it at once, it will not taste the same way as a freshly ground one.
Can Coffee Beans Expire?
Although most coffee beans come in vacuum-sealed packaging, they can still expire. If you just bought the bag and haven’t opened it yet, you have about 90 days before the beans will start to use their flavor. If you’ve already opened the bag, however, the time shortens significantly, and the beans will start to lose their flavor after about 14 days.
What to Do with Stale Beans
If you have some beans that have gone stale due to incorrect storage, don’t throw them away - it’s not the end of the world. In fact, you can use them to make cold brew. The long brewing process will help bring out the flavor that might have gotten hidden.
If you don’t want to use them in food and drinks, there are other ways to utilize them without putting them to waste. For example, how about letting out your inner artist? Stale coffee beans actually make a great art medium. Have you ever heard about “The Awakening”? It’s the largest in the world coffee mosaic, located somewhere in Moscow, Russia. It uses over 1 million coffee beans! How about drawing inspiration from it and creating something of your own?
Coffee beans you no longer need can also be used to create home decor, specifically a table piece using coffee beans and candles. Just grab a tall vase, add some coffee beans to it, and place a tall candle in the middle. The candle should be shorter than the vase, as otherwise, it might look a bit awkward.
The Bottom Line
Coffee beans need to be stored properly to retain their flavor; however, not many people realize what that entails. As mentioned, they are best kept in an airtight, opaque container in a cabinet away from light and moisture. Additionally, you should watch out for expiration, as, contrary to popular belief, coffee beans and coffee in general can expire too.
Truth be told, coffee is a delicate little thing, but storing it the right way can make a world of difference in whether your coffee tastes like the best thing in the world or something that makes you question why you even bought it.
So, next time you buy coffee beans, make sure you do what’s best to keep them fresh and tasty for as long as possible!
