How do I keep coffee beans fresh?

Coffee is a natural product and has a certain shelf life. It is not a perishable product, which means that the best-before date (BBD) is not a hard date like with perishable foods; the quality and nutritional value of the coffee may simply be less guaranteed. Therefore, storing coffee correctly is very important.

Before you read on about some general tips, we first want to draw your attention to the fact that light, oxygen, heat, strong odors, and moisture can have a significant impact on the quality of your coffee.

Coffee packaging

Coffee is packaged in airtight bags. As soon as you open the packaging, the ground coffee comes into contact with air and oxygen. At that moment, the process begins in which the quality of the coffee can deteriorate.

Where should you store coffee?

If you have opened the packaging but want to keep the coffee beans good for as long as possible, you can store them in the freezer in an airtight plastic bag. Roasted coffee beans stored for longer than a week therefore belong in the freezer. If you want to use the coffee beans and thus take them out of the freezer, you don't need to thaw them; you can start grinding the coffee beans immediately. Once you have taken the coffee beans out of the freezer, do not put them back, as condensation can then form, which can spoil the aroma and taste of the coffee, and we certainly don't want that. A second, and ideal, place to store an opened or unopened packet of coffee is in a cupboard. It is cool, dry, and dark there. Is the coffee packet not resealable? Then transfer the beans or ground coffee into an airtight container.

5 tips for storing your coffee beans:

• Keep coffee beans away from other strongly scented or strongly flavored products.
• Store coffee beans in an airtight and, most importantly, clean container, and use this container only for coffee.
• Divide the coffee beans you want to store in the freezer into small quantities before putting them in the freezer.
• Never mix old coffee beans with new coffee beans, as this can affect the taste.
• Never store too many beans in the bean reservoir of your espresso machine.

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Read here what to look for when buying coffee.