Storing coffee: 9 tips to keep coffee beans fresh

Have you ever enjoyed the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans? If so, then you know how wonderful coffee smells. However, aroma is a fleeting thing. Expose coffee to its natural enemies and the aroma, and therefore the taste in your cup, is lost relatively quickly.

Roasted coffee is a natural and fresh product. After opening, the package of your favorite coffee should be consumed quickly. This is because roasted coffee quickly loses its aromas and thus its flavor over time. After your coffee has reached the so-called peak of flavor (more on this later), it continuously loses flavor until, at a certain point, it tastes completely bland and is actually no longer enjoyable. But there are tips and tricks to make your coffee last longer at home - or even to preserve it for the long term. But how do you store your coffee properly? When does your coffee reach its peak of flavor? And why should you never store your coffee in the refrigerator? Find out more in our overview.

Tip 1: Do not buy coffee without a roasting date!

To know where and how you should store your coffee after purchase, it is important to know the exact roasting date. This is because coffee begins to age after roasting, and after a certain amount of time it reaches an optimal level of maturity, known as the Peak of Flavor. If the coffee has reached this point, then you can take the initiative early on, especially with your rarities, to keep the flavor and aroma of the coffee fresh longer, i.e. to preserve it (how - we explain in the following tips). That's why we recommend: Never buy a coffee without a roasting date!

Tip 2: Buy whole beans

We generally recommend buying whole beans directly from the roaster you trust. Because nothing tastes as good as freshly ground coffee. It is also better to store whole beans than pre-ground coffee. Much of the flavor is lost when the beans are ground.

If you do decide to buy already pre-ground coffee, you should know: Ground coffee loses its flavor much faster than whole coffee beans. You should consume it within 4 weeks.

Tip 3: Protect coffee packaging with aroma valve

The best way to store coffee for the first time after the roasting date (6-15 days for washed coffee, 10-20 days for naturally prepared coffee) is in the coffee packaging – if there is an aroma valve. The reason: after the roasting process, the coffee begins to excrete carbon dioxide (CO2) and it is exposed to O2 (oxygen) at the same time. The semi-permeable valves allow the CO2 to escape – and at the same time, no further oxygen enters. It is very important that the coffee rests sufficiently after roasting to "degas".

Coffee has four natural enemies. They are light, heat, moisture and oxygen. Packaging with aroma valve protects against three of four negative influences – oxygen, light and moisture. It is best to always close it tightly after opening!

Tip 4: Store coffee in opaque vacuum jar

Once the coffee has reached its peak of flavor, it is the right time to transfer it to a storage can. This should be opaque - and not allow oxygen to pass through. We recommend the Airscape coffee can. With it you can store coffee beans better than with the conventional storage cans. The patented closing system with an additional inner lid presses the air out of the can when closing, ensuring a longer life and better taste. Our verdict: Great way to store coffee.

As an alternative, you can also portion your coffees and vacuum pack them in bags. However, this creates more plastic waste and can be avoided by using the reusable Airscape container or glass tubes for freezing.

Tip 5: Protect coffee from heat

The best way to protect your coffee from heat - on a hot summer day, for example - is to store it in the pantry or kitchen cupboard. Coffee should be stored at room temperature - around 16 to 22 degrees. And one more thing: Never store your coffee in the spice cabinet! This is because coffee beans tend to absorb external odors. We can avoid this by storing them properly.

Tip 6: Order the right amounts

It is best to always buy coffee in appropriate quantities and freshly roasted. This prevents unused espresso or filter coffee from getting old and losing precious aroma. How much coffee you buy depends on what you use and how you prepare it.

Even if we are not in your immediate vicinity – in our online shop you can buy freshly roasted coffee at any time – from 250g to 1kg. The coffee will be with you within 1-3 days. Climate-neutral delivery with DHL Go Green.

Tip 7: Do not store coffee in the refrigerator

Should you store coffee in the refrigerator? This question often ends up in Google searches. And the answer is: No. It's better not to store your coffee in the refrigerator! Coffee readily absorbs foreign flavors, especially in a humid environment – and do you want your coffee to suddenly taste like salmon trout?

Tip 8: Freeze coffee? Yes, please!

On the other hand, can coffee be frozen? This question often reaches us. The answer is: YES. By freezing the coffee beans, the flavors are better bound and cannot escape. So it is the best way to store coffee for a longer period of time. For this to work, however, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Learn more in our blog post about freezing coffee.

Knowing the optimum age is very valuable - because it allows you to freeze your coffee at Peak of Flavor. That is, exactly when the peak of flavor is reached.

For all this to make sense, it is essential to freeze the coffee in portions. We recommend reusable glass tubes with 20g volume. Tip: Our glass tubes as set or our Frozen Coffee Box – so you are well prepared for freezing.

Tip 9: Grind only as much coffee as you need

Nothing tastes better than freshly ground coffee. We therefore recommend that you always grind the optimally matured coffee beans in the required quantity according to the recipe. This ensures the best taste in the cup. Whether filter coffee or espresso. You will find suitable brewing recipes online for all our roasted coffees.

written by

Christopher Braemer

Christopher is a trained journalist and works in marketing at Röststätte Berlin. The Röststätte newsletter and the content area are close to his heart. For the blog he writes about coffee from all over the world, but also about business, politics or sustainability. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop him a line.

Photos: Laura Droße, Constantin Gerlach, Röststätte

Photos: Röststätte, Laura Droße

website

www.roeststaette.com