Do you know that wonderful feeling when you open a bag of freshly roasted coffee from your favorite roastery (Goriffee, of course!) and are greeted by that amazing aroma carrying the promise of delicious sips that will accompany you every morning, energize you at noon, or brighten your afternoon?
Of course you do, otherwise we wouldn't be meeting here on this page! :-) But how should you store coffee to enjoy its exquisite aroma and taste for as long as possible? Just follow these simple tips:
Coffee is a fresh food product, making freshness absolutely crucial. It is affected by four primary enemies:
Air + Moisture + Light + High temperature
Well... alright, we used a little memory aid here, but the fact remains that these exact four factors dictate just how long your coffee stays fresh.
The most important goal is to minimize the beans' contact with air, which causes oxidation. Invest in an airtight container to keep them protected. Ideally, opt for one that allows you to pump the air out (i.e., a vacuum canister).
And while you're picking one out, make sure to choose an opaque container to keep light out as well. Yes, we love the look of roasted beans too, but transparent storage jars are simply not suitable. An airtight, dark container will also prevent moisture from creeping in, effectively tackling three of the four factors right off the bat.
And temperature? It is genuinely enough to keep your coffee away from heat sources like stoves, ovens, and the like. Similarly, a shelf bathed in direct sunlight for most of the day is far from ideal. A dark, cool spot with a consistent temperature is best.
The easiest way to always have fresh coffee? Buy it regularly in smaller amounts that you can comfortably finish within a sensible timeframe. In an ideal world, you would buy fresh beans roughly every two weeks, but having a supply that lasts up to a month is completely fine too.
Our coffee subscription was designed specifically for this, ensuring you can always rely on having fresh coffee at home! The golden rule is to always check the roast date when buying coffee. You could buy coffee every week, but if it isn't freshly roasted, it won't do you much good.
Freezing coffee for long-term storage is a topic that divides the coffee community, but generally speaking, it can be a viable method. A few guidelines must be followed, however. First, divide the coffee into approximately weekly portions so you don't keep taking the same bag in and out of the freezer. This prevents condensation from forming on the beans, which would promptly freeze and degrade their quality.
Remember that coffee absorbs odors readily. Always store it in the freezer inside an airtight bag. If possible, vacuum-sealed packaging is ideal.
When you are ready to brew coffee from the freezer, take it out at least a few hours before use. This allows it to come up to room temperature while managing the aforementioned condensation.
And that's it. Put simply – just purchase an amount of coffee suited to your rate of consumption, and keep it in an opaque, airtight container in a dark, cool place with a steady temperature. That way, you can enjoy it at peak quality for as long as possible.
