How to Store Fresh Coffee Beans Can Coffee Beans Be Stored in the Refrigerator?

Freshness is paramount when it comes to coffee. If coffee beans are stored improperly, they will accelerate the loss of aroma, thereby affecting the taste of the coffee. Therefore, proper storage of coffee beans is crucial.

Roasted coffee beans are easily susceptible to oxidation from oxygen in the air, which causes the oils they contain to deteriorate and their aromatics to volatilize and disappear. Temperature, humidity, and sunlight further accelerate this deterioration.

Therefore, coffee beans are typically stored in airtight, low-temperature, and light-avoiding conditions.

Can Coffee Beans Be Stored in the Refrigerator?

Although unopened coffee beans can be placed in the refrigerator, the lower temperature will naturally slow down the oxidation rate of the coffee beans.

However, if the coffee beans have been opened, it is not recommended to store them in the refrigerator. Among the important factors affecting coffee, moisture has the greatest impact on coffee taste. The coffee beans will absorb moisture, and their flavor will significantly deteriorate.

For opened coffee beans, the recommended storage method is to place them in dedicated airtight containers or use special sealing strips (clips), seal them tightly, and store them in a cool, dry place.

FrontStreet Coffee's Recommendations for Coffee Bean Storage

1. Room Temperature Storage:

At room temperature, the rate of microbial activity and oxidation proceeds quite appropriately. Freshly roasted coffee beans can be kept at room temperature for two weeks. The flavor changes during these two weeks are quite fascinating.

On the first day after roasting, the flavor is not yet fully mature, and you will notice a grassy aroma. The captivating sweet fragrance of the coffee beans is not yet rich and full-bodied; you might feel their flavor is somewhat "suppressed." Over the next few days, the grassy smell will gradually diminish while the sweet fragrance will slowly increase. The sweet aroma reaches its peak around the third day, then gradually fades.

Overall, coffee beans exhibit distinct personalities and active changes during the first few days. After about a week, their character becomes gentler. Some insist on tasting the coffee's personality during these early days, while others prefer to let the coffee beans rest at room temperature for a week before savoring their gentler side. If you can consume your coffee beans within two weeks of roasting, we highly recommend keeping them at room temperature, allowing you to experience the diverse changes within the same bag of beans.

2. Freezer Storage:

Storing in the freezer can significantly slow down oxidation and also has a dehumidifying effect. If you buy coffee that you'll consume over a longer period, use this method.

It's recommended to place coffee beans in the freezer during the first three days when their reactions are most active, as the flavors are slowly increasing during this time. Storing them in the freezer at this stage better preserves their character.

Several important considerations for freezer storage:

a. When beans are removed from the freezer and come into contact with warm, humid air from outside, moisture will condense on the coffee beans, accelerating their deterioration. Therefore, it's recommended to divide the beans into portions before placing them in the freezer.

b. Be aware of any unusual odors in the freezer, as coffee beans readily absorb flavors. If possible, consider using small airtight containers to portion the beans before placing them in the freezer.

3. Refrigerator Storage:

Refrigeration is similar to freezer storage, but with a slightly higher temperature, so you can still enjoy the changes in the coffee beans. Storing in the refrigerator is also an excellent solution when room temperature is too high or the climate is too humid.

4. Store as Whole Beans:

It's best to store coffee as whole beans rather than ground coffee. Ground coffee has a much larger surface area exposed to air, causing it to change very quickly, and consequently, its shelf life is significantly shorter.

Therefore, it's best to have your own grinder and grind the beans just before brewing.

Conclusion

Coffee bean storage is not absolute. Coffee beans oxidize, so temperature, humidity, and oxygen content are the main factors affecting their changes. As long as you grasp these key points, you can utilize suitable storage methods according to your needs.

If you want to store coffee long-term, it's best to place them in sealed bags and then put them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. Roasted coffee beans intended to be stored for more than a week should also be treated this way. There's no need to thaw before grinding—you can place them directly into the grinder.

Another enemy of coffee beans is oxygen, which can oxidize volatile aromas. This is why it's essential to grind coffee just before brewing. When coffee beans are ground, most of their surface is exposed to air. This means the coffee oils begin to evaporate, and the flavor will gradually disappear into the thin air.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473