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How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh Just like a banana that's left on the counter for several days, coffee beans turn bad. This is due oxidation and loss of volatile flavor compounds. The good news is you can preserve those fresh roast flavors for some weeks by following a few easy tips. Air, moisture and heat are your beans' worst enemies! How to store Coffee Beans It's no secret that coffee beans break down quickly. To enjoy the best flavor of your beans, it is essential to store them properly. Despite this, many are unsure of the best to store them. Coffeee think that they can just put their beans in the refrigerator. This isn't the most efficient method. Keep your beans at room temperature in an airtight, opaque container. This will protect your beans from their most formidable enemies: moisture and air. The air can strip the beans of their fresh-roasted taste, and moisture can dilute them too. Heating can also ruin the flavor and aroma of the beans. Light (especially sunlight) will also reduce the natural shine of the beans. It's not a great idea to keep coffee beans in the refrigerator. They could absorb the flavors and odors of other foods in the refrigerator, like cheese and onions, which will negatively impact the flavor of your coffee. They can also be exposed by the cool air in the refrigerator to moisture and condensation. Instead, you can store your beans in the container they came in, or in a resealable bag. Be sure to eliminate all the air from the bag prior to sealing it, and store it in a cool, dark location. This can help the beans last for a longer time, but the best time to use them is 72 hours after they have been roasted. Storing coffee beans in the Fridge Many people keep their coffee beans in the refrigerator however this isn't the best idea. Coffee beans stored in the fridge absorb odors from food and water, which will negatively impact their flavor. The best place to keep your coffee is in a dark cabinet in an airtight and transparent container. A coffee bag with one-way valves will work perfectly in the fridge, but if your beans aren't in this type of packaging you'll have to transfer them to a sealed and opaque container such as a glass canister or the Coffee Gator canister mentioned above. It's important to keep in mind that the fridge might be a bit cold for coffee, which may affect the taste of the coffee. The primary enemies of coffee beans are heat, air and moisture. To preserve the freshness and quality of your roasted beans, store them in a dark container (not transparent) at temperatures that are at room temperature. The best place to store them is a dark, cool pantry, however cabinets or wardrobes can also be used. Storing coffee in the fridge can help extend its shelf life, however it isn't recommended. The cold temperature can alter the taste of your coffee, causing it to deteriorate faster. The smells of food and moisture in the refrigerator can also damage your coffee beans. Storing Coffee Beans in the Pantry After the seal of the packaging has been broken on the beans, it's recommended to keep them in a dark location at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the flavor, aroma and freshness of your coffee for a long period of time (depending on how much oxygen, heat, or moisture is exposed to the beans). Storing your coffee beans in a cabinet next to an oven or kitchen counters that are exposed to direct sunlight isn't the most ideal option as these places can become very hot and will accelerate the process of oxidation. Moisture is a big one since beans are able to absorb moisture from the air. This can reduce their natural flavors. Oxidation is also accelerated by heat, as beans break down the molecular structures that give them their flavors and aromas. Heat also robs the bean of its natural oils and causes them to lose their flavor. If you're able keep your beans in the bags that are resealable, one-way valves that they came from or an equivalent airtight opaque container then the freshness will last around a week or so before they begin to decay. You can store them longer in the fridge, but be cautious as they may suffer from freezer burn or absorb any odors from food in the fridge. Storing Coffee Beans in the Freezer If you're paying 20 bucks or more for a haute bag of coffee beans it's important to know how long they will keep and what the best methods are to store them. Coffee absorbs aromas, flavors, and moisture which is why storing it in an opaque airtight container in a dark, cool area will help preserve the flavor. You can also freeze your beans but be careful when doing this, you should transfer them to a Ziploc bag prior to freezing in order to avoid freezing burn. Although freezing isn't a good idea, it can help if you have a limited period of time, or if you're planning to travel and bring along some of your favorite roast. However, the coffee beans that are frozen will not be as fresh and will have a less mild flavor than beans that were properly stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry. As you can see it's best to use your beans in a lickety-split fashion, but sometimes we just don't have that luxury. If you store your coffee beans in a dark, cool space in a dark, airtight container their shelf life can be extended by as much as three times. If you decide to give it a shot (be sure to follow the above instructions carefully) you may be amazed at how much better the flavor of your coffee is compared to the dull, lifeless beans that have gone bad in the fridge or freezer.