Is your coffee bland? Proper storage preserves flavor and aroma

While storing and preparing coffee seems simple, there are many variables that go into making the perfect cup for your individual preferences, from cooking method and strength to temperature. However, there is one universal way to store coffee beans, and if you don’t do it properly, you probably won’t have the fresh and aromatic taste of brewed coffee.

How to store whole coffee beans 

The ideal way to store whole coffee beans is in an opaque, hermetically sealed container, away from direct sunlight and any heat source. 

Coffee beans are sensitive to air, light, temperature, and humidity, so for best results, reduce exposure to all of these elements. Look for a dark, cool corner of your kitchen or a shelf in your closet or pantry. Do not leave the coffee bean jar next to the stove or any other heat source.

Furthermore, while the coffee will be just fine in a sealed bag on the shelf for a few weeks after roasting, as soon as it is exposed to air it loses its freshness. That’s why it’s also best to buy small amounts - no more than what you’ll drink in a week or two.

Keep in mind that if they are really fresh (sold within a few days after roasting) the coffee beans can continue the degassing process even after you open the bag and transfer it to an airtight container. 

Roasters generally control degassing and packing of beans with a one-way valve, so it is very unlikely that the pressure would break the glass, but this should be taken into account if you roast the coffee yourself and store it immediately.

Do not freeze coffee beans

In theory, coffee beans can be stored in the freezer for up to a month if the beans are pre-divided into portions and tightly closed (but by no means put the entire retail bag in the freezer and dig through it every morning).