A rich, flavorful, and delicious coffee cup demands suitable coffee first of all and then the proper storage of it. The storage of coffee beans will ultimately save you money as well as time. The storage of beans includes a reduction in the impact of all the factors that cause the coffee beans to lose their quality and freshness.
In this brief guide, we will connect the importance of storing coffee beans properly, the factors that impact the freshness of coffee beans with the recommendations to lower the impact and retain the ultimate quality of beans.
Why is it Important to Know How to Store Coffee Beans?
Every question has significant importance. But for coffee lovers, it is a nosy question why it is crucial to store coffee beans, what factors impact the freshness of coffee beans, and how to store coffee beans properly.
It is vital to know how to store the coffee beans properly as it directly impacts the taste, quality, and flavor of the coffee. If not properly stored, one can readily sense the difference in taste and texture.
The key factors that impact the quality of coffee include environmental factors, such as moisture, light, air, temperature, and a few others.
Alternatively, proper storage ensures retaining the color, flavor, and texture for a long time without any doubts. Some coffee beans are very delicate and demand proper storage otherwise may cost the quality. It is vital to have various methods to preserve coffee beans, else not only the coffee beans but also your money will be wasted, and you will eventually need to purchase them again.
Before heading towards How to Store Coffee Beans, first have a brief look at some of the significant factors affecting the freshness of coffee beans.
Tips to Store The Coffee Beans
In order to store coffee beans and preserve them from moisture, air, light, time, and grinding, the following tips and tricks can help you out.
- It is one of the greatest misconceptions that keeping coffee beans in the fridge can keep them fresh. Try not to keep the coffee beans in the freezer or fridge as it raises moisture in the beans.
- If you are living in a humid environment, you need extra care. It is suggestible to use a dehumidifier to store coffee beans.
- Do not keep coffee beans in direct sunlight, as they can generate moisture. Store coffee beans in a dark place or away from direct sunlight or a window.
- Use an airtight container with a one-way valve. It will help release carbon dioxide from coffee beans and restrict outer air particles from entering the container.
- Avoid coffee beans from leaving in the open air. Use specific sealed coffee bags. On the other hand, leaving a casual bag allows air to enter the bag and affects the quality eventually.
- Keep the coffee beans in small batches instead of storing them in large amounts. It will help retain the freshness of coffee beans and ensure the freshness of coffee beans.
- Store coffee beans in an opaque container. It will block light from entering the container and maintain its flavor and freshness.
- Try to place the coffee beans in dark and cool places like a pantry or cupboard because light and heat accelerate the oxidation process, and coffee beans become stuffy and lose their flavor.
- If you prefer glass jars over plastic or others, use dark-colored or tinted jars, as they will block the light out.
- Buying fresh coffee beans can help coffee beans to be fresh for a long time. Try to use roasted coffee beans within a few weeks after roasting.
- For the freshness of coffee beans, grind coffee beans simply before brewing.
- Buy coffee beans in smaller quantities because when they have been grounded the degradation process speeds up.
- It is important to grind coffee beans just before brewing to maximize flavor and freshness.
- While grinding coffee beans, avoid using a blade grinder because it produces heat and ultimately increases the oxidation process.
- Use a burr grinder for maximum freshness because it produces less heat and has a more uniform grind size.
Factors Affecting the Freshness of Coffee Beans
There are several factors that can affect the freshness and quality of coffee beans. The most important ones out of these are the following.
- Moisture
- Air
- Light
- Time
- Grinding
i. Moisture
Taste and texture are the most fundamental attributes of coffee beans that ensure their flavor and aroma. Moisture directly affects these two parameters and eventually results in low-quality coffee.
ii. Air
Air has a significant effect on the flavor and freshness of coffee beans. In the open air, it loses its taste and aroma. It is because coffee beans contain compounds that are responsible for their quality. When placed in the open air, the coffee beans release those compounds in the oxygen. It will eventually result in reducing the texture and taste.
iii. Light
In a light source, coffee beans undergo a process called oxidation which causes coffee beans to get stale and lose their flavor. Light can also break some elements present in coffee beans which can ultimately cause their flavor loss.
iv. Time
With time, coffee causes a loss of the freshness of coffee beans. Roasted coffee beans release carbon dioxide. The process is called degassing. It is a crucial process in the taste and texture of coffee, but the loss of gasses also degrades the freshness. It is advisable to use the beans within a few days after roasting.
v. Grinding
Grinding has a significant effect on the freshness and flavor of coffee beans. Ground beans uncover more surface area to air and lose their freshness faster. It is because after grinding, more flavors and oils are exposed in the air and cost the shelf life eventually.
Final Verdict
Coffee is known for its taste, texture, and aroma. Preserving all these fundamental attributes are essential. Often, coffee beans can be stored for a long time if kept in a refrigerator. But if we go deep down and study, it is not recommended. In fact, temperature, moisture, light, air, and grinding impact the coffee beans harshly. Moreover, it is not advisable to use frozen beans for more than two to three weeks.
We hope that by considering all these factors and following the tips, you will not enjoy rich and flavorful coffee but also conserve money.