Storing Roasted Coffee Beans

Storing Roasted Coffee Beans

HOW SHOULD I STORE ROASTED COFFEE?

Buy your coffee beans in small quantities as needed, WHOLE BEAN, and store it in an airtight canister (ceramic is best) or vacuum canister, in a cool shady spot, possibly on the counter or in the cupboard.

For freshly roasted coffee wait for the roasted coffee to cool for four to six hours, which gives the beans a chance to “degas” (to vent the CO2 released by roasting). Then store roasted coffee in a well-sealed, clean, dry container – coffee spoils when exposed to oxygen, water, and heat.  Coffee should be stored in an air-tight container because its aromatic oils are volatile (one of the delights of roasted coffee, in fact, is the aroma that greets you each time you open the jar).

To preserve your beans’ fresh roasted flavour as long as possible, store them in an opaque, air-tight container at room temperature. Coffee beans are decorative and beautiful, but avoid clear canisters which will allow light to compromise the taste of your coffee.

Keep your beans in a convenient, but dark and cool, location. Remember that a cabinet near the oven is often too warm, and so is a spot on the kitchen counter that gets strong afternoon sun.

The commercial coffee containers in which you purchased your coffee are generally not appropriate for long-term storage. Ideal coffee storage canisters with an airtight seal are a worthwhile investment.

Do not keep coffee in the refrigerator or freezer. Every time the coffee is brought out into room temperature, water will condense on its surface, damaging the oils that give it its aromatic flavour.