July 26, 2022

Excellent Roasted Coffee Bean Storage Techniques

By: Jessica Brown

The best way to keep roasted coffee is one of the most frequent queries that coffee roasters get from customers and followers. Well, you can start with the fundamental and straightforward idea that coffee is a natural substance.

As a result, it has a finite life cycle, just like any other food product. It is best to consume it as soon as possible.

When discussing storage, you should be aware that coffee dislikes air, humidity, heat, and light. The distinction between whole and ground beans should not be overlooked as well.

In the sections below, you’ll learn all you need to know about keeping coffee beans fresh in storage.

The Shelf Life of Freshly Ground Coffee

It is unfortunate that coffee loses 50 percent of its scent during the first 30 minutes of grinding. This is why coffee roasters typically advise using a manual (for home usage) or on-demand grinder with whole beans (for larger consumption).

The fact that more surface area of the coffee matter is exposed to carbon dioxide when it is ground increases the rate at which the coffee matter oxygenates, which is one of the main reasons why the aroma is lost after grinding. The coffee then starts to deteriorate more quickly. 

As the beans themselves are the greatest container for preserving the quality, keeping the coffee in whole beans prolongs the aroma. A bag of whole coffee beans has an eighteen- to twenty-four-month shelf life.

After opening the packaging, ground coffee normally keeps fresh for five days to two weeks. The packaging and storage are what determine the quality difference.

Coffee Shouldn’t Be Kept in the Refrigerator

Undoubtedly, there is one fallacy that needs to be debunked. Coffee shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator. It’s really easy to understand why. 

Coffee does not like humidity. Therefore, inserting and removing it from the refrigerator causes condensation, giving the coffee a distinct flavor and scent. The freezer operates in a similar manner.

The Purpose of the Valve on Coffee Bags

Air is one thing that coffee doesn’t enjoy. On the other hand, the coffee’s carbon dioxide must find a way to escape. 

Otherwise, your bag would probably burst and blow up as well. Air shouldn’t enter, though. Because of this, the valve is one of the most vital components of coffee packaging.

Given the variations in air pressure at various elevations, it is occasionally possible for the coffee bag to completely lose its air and carbon dioxide during transportation, creating a sort of vacuum effect.

In any case, the coffee’s quality is unaffected by this. Since air can no longer enter the coffee bag at this stage, coffee experts could argue that it preserves the coffee even more.

The Ideal Method for Coffee Storage

The following is a list of the dos and don’ts that professionals advise when keeping coffee:

  • Store in a dry, cool area with a humidity level of 50% and a temperature between 59 and 77 degrees Farenheit.
  • Pick coffee that is packaged with materials that block light and have a valve.
  • Use a manual or on-demand grinder when purchasing, and try to choose whole beans over coffee that has been ground.
  • Utilize a metal can as storage.
  • Don’t use translucent or glass packaging or a glass container.
  • Don’t keep coffee in the freezer or refrigerator.
  • Don’t open the coffee container for too long.

Conclusion

Coffee grinds don’t store as well as coffee beans. The baristas at specialty coffee shops frequently offer to grind a bag of beans you buy. It would be better for you to turn down this offer if freshness is crucial to you. Instead, grind your beans in the pot at home for the freshest brew.

Enjoy the authentic offering of Heartwood coffee roasters and other artisan products at Ohio Artisan Collective. 

We’re a gift shop and coffee bar located at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, featuring products made by Ohio artists, makers, and food companies. Visit us today and treat yourself!

Ohio Artisan Collective

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