An important aspect about coffee is credited to its brewing. For example, the coffee beans should be kept whole and they will be processed or brewed only when you need to make a cup of coffee. This drink is ideally consumable up to two weeks after the coffee beans are roasted in order to achieve the best aroma and flavor. It is also possible to store the beans for later use.
If you are familiar with how to keep the freshness of coffee, then you know how to maintain the essential and natural oils of the coffee beans. These oils are responsible for known to keep the concentration of coffee’s flavor. These oils break down when the coffee beans are brewed. The most vital approach to keep the coffee fresh is to ensure the lowest exposure to ventilation, while the coffee beans still have little breathing room. Most packaging of coffee beans has single air hole allowing them to breathe without depressurization of the coffee pack. Coffee beans are stored ideally in cool and dry area free from moisture.
Most people have difficulties in storing coffee beans. Most of them keep coffee beans in the fridge and some in the freezer thinking that they can prevent spoiling. The truth is this is not the best way to store coffee beans. The extreme freezing temperatures and condition can contribute to the loss of the natural and essential oils. Keep in mind that these oils are responsible for the coffee’s flavor and losing them may also lose the flavor and freshness. Storing coffee beans at extremely low temperatures will result to drying out of the entire natural oils contain in it. The best possible storage for coffee beans is the cupboard or pantry, while they are placed in an airtight container. The proper way to store coffee beans can maintain the coffee’s flavor and aroma. You have to keep coffee beans in ideal storage location to maintain freshness and to prolong the best taste.
The four “enemies” of coffee beans storage
- Just like any fresh products you purchase from produce section, one of the major enemies of freshness and proper storage is the light. In this case, the coffee beans should be kept in an area that is dimmed. Pantry cabinet or at the back of kitchen storage for wine are good examples. Exposure of the beans to light hastens the degeneration of the coffee’s natural oils in the beans causing dullness in the flavor significantly.
- As discussed above, extreme temperatures are bad for foods and consumables that are freshly stored. Earlier, the very low temperature can cause degradation of the coffee beans freshness as it curds the coffee beans’ oils is discussed. In addition to that, very high temperature also poses problem because it can evaporate the oils. If you store the coffee beans in the freezer or fridge, precipitation due to moisture vacuum from the coffee occurs and if you brew the coffee beans after taking from the cold temperature, the beans get condensed resulting to the dull taste/flavor.
- Another enemy of the coffee beans is the moisture. In contrast to the popular notion, coffee beans are non-water soluble. The proof here is that you can see coffee trails being left behind after brewing them. Coffee has the characteristic natural spongy quality and this make the beans capable of absorbing moisture. Knowing that, it is important to keep the coffee beans in an airtight container with room temperature in order to keep it away from moisture accumulation moisture that can result to drying out the bean’s oils.
- Finally, prolonged storage of coffee beans can degrade the quality and freshness. It is ideal to consume a pack of coffee beans in two weeks after its roasting provided that you have no more plans of keeping it for long-term use. Coffees are unique in comparison to other organic consumables due to its capability to be stored infinite times provided with the appropriate storage conditions. The best way to store coffee after roasting them is to place it in a bag having one way air valve and not vacuum sealed. Coffee beans, once roasted, will release carbon dioxide (CO2) that will become its own protection against deterioration.
