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.
So, where to store coffee beans? According to numerous coffee experts, your beans should be kept inan 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 themas 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.
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.
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 ofthe 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.
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 onlygrind 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.
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 about90 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.
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.
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!
