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While raw coffee can be stored for years without significant deterioration in quality, roasted coffee beans can only be stored for several weeks, while ground coffee loses its aroma in minutes. Unless we roast the coffee ourselves, the long shelf life of raw coffee isn't beneficial to us, but we all need to address roasted coffee storage. If you've ever wondered where you should store coffee, this article is for you.
We must consider many factors during storage. During the roasting process—and the days following—coffee beans continuously release carbon dioxide. Factories use a type of airtight packaging, with a one-way valve that allows the resulting carbon dioxide to escape but keeps out external gases and oxygen. All premium coffees are packaged using this technology, but this method is rarely used in the lower price range. Since carbon dioxide is generated in all cases, factories can only deliberately let the ground coffee rest before packaging. Obviously, this is not the best way to preserve the coffee's aroma.
We may know we have to open the bag anyway, so we need to establish a strategy to minimize the deterioration of the coffee's quality until we consume it. We can use collapsible cups, but the oxygen that is sealed with the coffee continues to exert its effects.
We can use the original bag for storage or better-quality plastic bags. In both cases, we must squeeze out the remaining air from the bag. We can squeeze the air out of the well-sealed bag delivered by wrapping it in three or four layers of plastic wrap. If there is a vacuum container, the coffee can be stored in a slight vacuum or placed in a tightly sealed glass. Some preserve coffee by freezing it, but this may not be a good solution either. If you choose this method anyway, you should consider that you can only freeze the coffee once. Here, too, we must tightly pack the coffee in the original bag or another plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and then wrap it again in a second layer to prevent the odors from other foods from accumulating. We must remove the coffee before using it; it needs half a day to thaw. You can store the whole coffee for two to three months, but this won't work with ground coffee.
Here are some simple tips to do it correctly.
Coffee storage locations
Store your coffee to keep it fresh and flavorful. With that in mind:
- Choose a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or closet.
- Don't store coffee in the refrigerator or freezer; humidity can cause moisture to infiltrate the packaging.
- Avoid warm locations, such as above or next to the oven, or in cabinets that get hot from exposure to sunlight or cooking.
- It's fine to keep your coffee on the countertop if it's in an opaque, airtight container out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources.
Types of coffee containers
Once the vacuum-sealed package is opened, the coffee begins to lose freshness rapidly. For this reason, it's a good idea to transfer the coffee to another appropriate container as soon as possible.
- For best results, use a non-reactive opaque glass, ceramic, or metal container with a tight gasket seal.
- Glass or clear plastic containers should be stored in a dark place.
Coffee freshness over time
Coffee begins to lose its freshness immediately after roasting, and its flavor reaches its peak in the following days. Ground coffee tastes best if consumed within one to two weeks of roasting, whole beans within a month. Here are some tips to keep your coffee at its most flavorful:
- Buy freshly roasted coffee frequently, in quantities that last one to two weeks, and then store it properly.
- Store large amounts of coffee tightly sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dark area, keeping a smaller amount in another container for daily use. Open the larger container only when you need to refill the smaller container. This reduces exposure of the majority of the coffee to air.
Storing coffee at home can be simple and effective, and when done correctly, it means you'll get the best out of the coffee you buy. It's important to remember that coffee is a food and should be treated like you would any other food, ensuring it stays fresh and can be enjoyed at its best. Try it yourself and see if improving your coffee storage makes a difference.