For a delightful cup of coffee, the beans have to be fresh. But really how do you keep coffee beans fresh? Most coffee lovers know the different types of beans, blends and their flavors but they don’t know how to keep them fresh. Are you one of those people? Well, if you are, then you must be sipping on stale coffee beans right now. That’s quite sad. You can’t even taste the amazingness of fresh coffee. But don’t worry, I’m here to rescue you. Here is your comprehensive guide on how do you keep coffee beans fresh and flavorful.

How Do You Keep Coffee Beans Fresh? Your Guide

Do you know that most people have been sipping in stale coffee? And you are one of those. All because you don’t know how to keep your coffee beans fresh. But hey you can learn this now. Here are some helpful tips that will keep you informed on how do you keep coffee beans fresh and flavorful.

• Store Your Beans in an Airtight Container

You should know that your air and moisture are the biggest enemies of you. They make the beans lose their fresh roasted flavor. But you should know that you can prevent that. Yes, that’s right! You can keep your beans fresh for longer with one step only: store them in an opaque, airtight jar. Keep them at room temperature; excessive heat is not good for them. Also, try to keep them away from light because light can compromise the taste of your coffee. Hence, keep the beans in a dark and cool place. Remember, if you think the retail packaging of beans is ideal for you, you are thinking wrong. Therefore, investing in airtight canisters is important.

• Don’t Over Purchase the Beans

Another helpful tip is to only buy the amount that you need. Do not purchase any extra beans! You can order coffee beans online enough for one or two weeks. As aforementioned, even the slightest exposure to air is bad for your beans. So, you can divide and store your one or two-week supply of coffee in smaller batches to make sure your coffee stays fresh. As a result, your used coffee will stay protected from the air. Also, grind the beans you need to brew your coffee immediately. So, the air exposure doesn’t affect your coffee’s freshness.

Can Freezing Help?

Heat and light can damage can impact the freshness of your beans. But what about freezing? Is it helpful? Well, this topic has mixed views on whether or not coffee should be stored in a freezer. But let me give you the insider info: you should not freeze your coffee beans in the freezer. Why? Because although our containers are labeled as “airtight”, they don’t block 100% of the air and moisture out. Therefore, most food items, when stored in freezers for longer, can suffer from freezer burn.

Did You Know?

Coffee beans are hygroscopic which means they absorb moisture immediately when exposed to air.

So, in my opinion, it’s not a good idea at all to freeze your beans. Also, if your coffee container is not fully airtight, your beans can get the smell of other food items. Imagine you brewed a cup of coffee and smells like your last week’s chicken rotisserie. Erghghghgh… Even thinking about it feels so wrong. This .is why you should not keep it in the freezer.

How long will Coffee Last in Room Temperature?

We know that coffee won’t last in the freezer. It won’t last in the heat. So, it’s clear that room temperature is best for coffee beans. But how long can you store these beans at room temperature? Well, you should know that unroasted coffee can last for around a year in a sealed container. However, we usually buy roasted beans and their freshness starts fading off within a week of their roast date. Besides, their freshness level depends on the roast level too. Is there a way to keep them fresh for longer? YES! There is. The key is to store them properly. This way you can even enjoy fresh & delightful coffee for more than a month. 

What are the Best Containers to Store Your Coffee? 

Once you have opened up your retail bag of coffee beans, they are no longer safe in that coffee bag. Hence, you have to transfer them to an airtight container. Otherwise, they’ll face a slow death. In simpler words, coffee beans would lose their freshness if exposed to the slightest of air. But what kind of airtight containers serve this purpose rightfully? Well, here are some options you can consider:

• Opaque glass
• Non-reactive metals
• Ceramic containers
• Vacuum containers

With your beans stored in any of these containers, you are all sorted for a fresh and flavorful cup of joe every time! After all, they are designed to keep the beans protected from the moisture and air in their surroundings. Fun fact: storing coffee in these containers can even increase its shelf life. 

Coffee Beans Vs. Ground Coffee. Which One Stays Fresher?

Both whole coffee beans and ground coffee have their own plus points. For instance, the convenience ground coffee offers is unmatched. However, it can never match the indulgent taste and smoothness of coffee brewed from beans. But the question here is which one stays fresh for longer. The answer is coffee beans! Yes, beans have a relatively longer life compared to their counterpart. It is so because ground coffee has more surface area exposed to the air. As a result, it can go stale way earlier than beans.

Ending Thoughts

Let’s go back to the main question: how do you keep coffee beans fresh? Well, it all depends on how properly you store them. With an airtight, opaque container, you are all set to keep your coffee beans alive for longer. Besides, don’t buy beans in excessive quantities. Instead, buy enough supply for a week or two. After all, beans start losing their flavor after this time period. So, you better not take this risk; buy less and enjoy more.