How to Store Coffee Beans? The Definitive Guide

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What are the main factors that spoil coffee beans?

Several elements can compromise the freshness of coffee beans:

• Air: oxidation starts as soon as the roasted beans come into contact with air, degrading the flavours and aromas.
• Light: natural or artificial light can damage the beans by breaking down fats, vitamins and proteins.
• Heat: high temperatures accelerate molecular movement in the beans, causing loss of flavour.
• Moisture: moisture or condensation can instantly ruin roasted beans.

What advantages does buying coffee beans offer?

Recently, there has been a resurgence in the habit of buying coffee beans and grinding them at home, often using coffee grinders built into automatic coffee machines.

Grinding coffee at home offers a completely new coffee preparation and tasting experience, for two main reasons:

• It allows you to appreciate the physical characteristics of the beans, such as shape and colour, before grinding them.
• By grinding the coffee just before brewing, you can savour the aromas at their maximum intensity, as some of them dissipate quickly after grinding.

This practice keeps the essence of the coffee intact, ensuring a fresh and aromatic cup every time. To store coffee beans at their best, make sure you store them in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat, ready for perfect home brewing.

Remember that proper coffee storage is essential to keep its flavours intact.

How long does the freshness of coffee beans last over time?

Unroasted beans retain their aroma for at least a month if stored in a sealed or vacuum-packed bag. However, if you, like most people, buy roasted beans, they will start to deteriorate a week after roasting unless stored properly.

Store the beans carefully to maintain freshness for about a month.

For optimal ’bean-to-cup’ preservation, grind the coffee immediately after removing the beans from the packet. It is a rewarding process that will really make a difference in the flavours of your beloved coffee.

How to prolong the freshness of coffee beans

To store your coffee so that it stays fresh for longer, follow these tips:

• Choose a cool, dark and dry place, such as a storage room or cupboard.
• Avoid hot places, such as near an oven or a cupboard exposed to direct sunlight.
• Avoid damp places, such as near a sink or electric kettle.
• If you generally store coffee on a worktop, use an opaque, airtight container away from sources of heat and light.
• Buy whole, freshly roasted beans and only the amount you need to prepare a fresh and delicious coffee at home, worthy of an experienced barista; the correct dose tends to be between 500 and 1000 grams.

Is it advisable to store coffee beans in the refrigerator?

You might be tempted, but the refrigerator is not the ideal place to store coffee beans. This is because coffee is soft and porous, and tends to absorb strong odours from other foods stored in the refrigerator, such as onions or cheese.

In addition, the cold and humid conditions of the refrigerator are not suitable for keeping coffee fresh. The beans may suffer from condensation, which can cause partial spillage and loss of aromatic characteristics.

What are the best containers for storing coffee beans?

After opening the bag with the coffee beans, it is advisable to transfer them to a special container. This is in fact the correct way on how to store coffee beans.

How do I store coffee once it has been opened?

Airtight jars made of opaque glass, ceramic or non-reactive metal (such as copper) are perfect for this purpose. Alternatively, you can opt to store coffee beans in vacuum-packed containers that remove air by pressure or screwing, thus prolonging the freshness of the beans.

How to store coffee beans correctly?

To store coffee beans at their best and preserve their aroma after roasting, it is important to carefully consider the form of purchase and use. Many coffee bars prefer to buy coffee beans and grind them at the time or during service with special machines to ensure freshness.

The difference is obvious: coffee beans retain about 50 per cent of their aroma for several days, while ground coffee has a freshness duration of only two hours after grinding and only two minutes once poured into the cup. Variations are difficult to detect if you are not an experienced coffee taster, so don’t worry: the coffee will remain aromatic and tasty anyway!

However, if you want to enjoy your coffee in all its flavours, don’t forget to store coffee beans properly!

If you want to learn more about this topic and find high-quality coffee beans, check out our article on the Caffe Roen Extra Bar blend, a gold medal winner for quality, and visit our SHOP.

The processing of coffee has a significant impact on its ability to retain its organoleptic characteristics over time. Ground coffee, unlike coffee beans, oxidises much more quickly due to increased exposure to air.

This is one of the main reasons why coffee beans are preferable to ground coffee: in addition to preserving better, they release a more intense fragrance when freshly ground as is the case in coffee bars. Although pre-ground coffee is more common among domestic enthusiasts, espresso lovers should consider buying a quality coffee grinder.

Those who choose coffee beans should also keep the grinder clean to best preserve the original aroma.

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