Introduction

How long can coffee beans be stored?

What is the best way to store coffee beans?

Should coffee beans be stored in the refrigerator?

The freshness of coffee beans directly affects the taste of a cup of coffee, and proper storage is an important factor affecting the freshness of coffee beans. Front Street Coffee needs to emphasize that coffee bean storage is mainly divided into two types: the storage of green coffee beans and the storage of roasted coffee beans. The storage of green beans requires attention to humidity and temperature to avoid mold and insects; roasted coffee beans require attention to humidity, temperature, and oxidation, as oxidation will accelerate the dissipation of the flavor of roasted coffee beans.

How can the freshness of roasted coffee beans be maintained?

First, let's learn about the "killers" of coffee bean freshness.

Coffee bean freshness‘Killer "①

Light source & High temperature

Light source refers to sunlight. The heat of sunlight will accelerate the volatilization of the aromatic substances (aroma) in coffee beans, so never place coffee beans directly under the sun. The inner layer of the coffee bean packaging sold by Front Street Coffee uses aluminum foil. The main function of aluminum foil is to reflect light, but it does not achieve true heat insulation, so when storing coffee beans, it is still necessary to keep them away from heat sources.

Coffee bean freshness "killer" ②

Humidity

Humidity refers to the moisture in the air. Even if dry coffee beans are kept in a humid environment for a long time, even with the protection of a sealed container, they will inevitably be invaded by moisture when opened. Coffee beans that have absorbed moisture are prone to spoilage and produce off-flavors such as mold, which directly affects the expression of coffee flavor, so a dry environment can better help coffee beans maintain freshness.
 

Coffee bean freshness "killer" ③

Oxygen

Seeing this, everyone may say: "Oxygen is everywhere, it's impossible to avoid oxygen~" Don't worry yet, this is not about completely preventing coffee beans from contacting oxygen, but about reducing the contact time between oxygen and coffee beans as much as possible. After we open the package and take out coffee beans, the coffee beans still in the packaging/container should be sealed as soon as possible to slow down the oxidation rate of the coffee beans.

Now that we understand the three "killers" of coffee bean freshness, what should be used to store coffee beans?

Sealed packaging bag with one-way exhaust valve

Freshly roasted coffee bean packaging generally comes with a one-way exhaust valve. The principle of the one-way exhaust valve is that when the coffee beans inside the package continuously release carbon dioxide and the pressure inside the bag reaches a certain level, the gas will push the valve open and be released. Since the valve only opens when the pressure inside the package is higher than the pressure outside the bag, it can prevent outside air and moisture from entering while releasing gas. Using the original coffee packaging for storage when there is no sealed container is an excellent choice, but remember to press the sealing strip firmly~

Vacuum sealed jar

A vacuum sealed jar is one where, after the lid is closed, the exhaust button is pressed to expel the oxygen inside the jar and enter a sealed state. At this time, the coffee beans will continuously release oxygen inside the jar that cannot escape. Under the pressure of the vacuum environment, carbon dioxide will wrap around the coffee beans, thereby slowing down the dissipation rate of coffee flavor.

How long can coffee beans be stored?

The coffee bean freshness mentioned above refers to the peak flavor period of coffee beans, that is, the period when coffee beans present their flavor at their best. The peak flavor period of coffee beans is within 4-30 days after the coffee beans are roasted. Coffee beans past the peak flavor period do not mean they can no longer be drunk, but rather that even if the coffee beans are stored properly, the coffee flavor will still dissipate. Therefore, coffee beans after 30 days may show insufficient aroma, blandness, and so on. Setting aside flavor and aroma, the shelf life of roasted coffee beans is 365 days.

Can coffee beans be stored in the refrigerator?

Coffee beans should not be stored in the refrigerator. When coffee beans enter a refrigerated state and are then taken out, the large temperature difference between the refrigeration temperature and room temperature causes moisture to form on the surface of the coffee beans.

After coffee beans with moisture are ground, the coffee powder will be seen forming uneven clumps. Clumped coffee powder not only affects uniform extraction when brewing coffee, but coffee powder that has absorbed moisture will also get stuck in the grinder burrs. If the burrs are not cleaned and dried in time, this will continue to affect every subsequent grinding of coffee beans and the flavor of the brew.

Finally

Front Street does not recommend buying too many coffee beans at once. Buy the next bag after finishing one bag, as this can better ensure the freshness of the coffee beans~

As for coffee beans whose flavor has already dissipated, they can be ground into coarse powder and then placed in the refrigerator or next to a pet's bed, where they can absorb odors~
 

For more professional coffee knowledge, please follow the WeChat official account: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) 

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.