Professional opinions vary greatly regarding the best coffee storage method.
We’re not entirely sure why.
Would you believe that the easiest route is also the best?
Leave your coffee in the bag you bought it in, place it in your pantry or cupboard, and close the door.
It’s really that simple.
The finely ground print
Coffee beans are highly susceptible to air, moisture, heat, and exposure to light.
Therefore, coffee storage should be stored in a cool, dry space out of direct sunlight.
Keep in mind that coffee begins to oxidize the moment it is ground. So, buy whole beans and grind only the amount you need just before brewing.
Packaging plays a part
Thinly lined paper bags will not sustain your coffee for long.
As a general rule of thumb, if your coffee arrives in a paper sack you should transfer the beans to a clean, airtight container ASAP. (Be sure to clean the container between uses, though. Coffee beans secrete oils, which can coat the inside of a vessel and reek after a while.)
If your coffee beans are packaged in a foil bag with a one-way valve, you’re all set. That valve allows CO2 gas to escape while keeping oxygen out. These bags tend to keep coffee fresh for approximately 6-9 months, when all other conditions – cool, dry, dark – are met.
Coffee begins to lose freshness after it is roasted – for this reason, it is wise to purchase in small batches. Coffee beans should be used within two weeks after cracking the bag’s seal.
Don’t make storage complicated
There are many complexities surrounding the unique nature of coffee, from its aromas to its flavor profiles.
Storage should not be one of them.
To recap:
- Do not store in an unsealed container: When exposed to oxygen, roasted beans will swiftly go stale.
- Do not store in a clear container or jar. Light will compromise the beans’ integrity, causing staleness and a loss of flavor.
- Do not store on or near the stove or oven. The only heat your beans should be subject to is the water used when you brew.
- Do not store opened coffee in a refrigerator or freezer. Humidity varies in your freezer, which is filled with every other food item you aren’t quite sure what to do with. Coffee is porous and can/will absorb both moisture and odors from other foods. That’s a problem. Coffee stored in the freezer is also at risk of freezer burn, ruining the flavor.
Do enjoy a cup of Orinoco coffee. We carefully package our beans immediately after roasting, in custom, one-way valve foil bags to ensure optimal flavor and aroma. Try a bag today.