Best way to store coffee beans?

[taxlady]

I always store coffee beans and ground coffee in the freezer. I usually put them in a plastic jar, because the plastic jars don't feel as cold to my fingers. I don't find there is any need to thaw the beans before grinding them.

[Dawgluver]

Your jar should be fine.

[Bigjim68]

If you keep coffee in the freezer, it is probably best to not go into it daily. Condensation forms on the beans each time the container is opened. My grinder holds a half pound, and I store the other half of a pound in a ceramic canister. I do not notice any degradation. Beans should be good for a couple of weeks, ground a couple of days at most.

[kitchengoddess8]

Do you put the ceramic canister in the fridge?

[Bigjim68]

No, canister sits on the counter. A pound of coffee last me less than three weeks.

Also note that a lot of coffee in supermarkets is well past its prime when you purchase it. I buy from large companies that roast daily.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by Bigjim68

If you keep coffee in the freezer, it is probably best to not go into it daily. Condensation forms on the beans each time the container is opened. My grinder holds a half pound, and I store the other half of a pound in a ceramic canister. I do not notice any degradation. Beans should be good for a couple of weeks, ground a couple of days at most.

I open my jar, take out the beans, then shut it and put it back in the freezer. I have never noticed any condensation on the beans. I know that if I don't put it back quickly enough some condensation forms on the jar, 'cause it gets frozen shut.

[Max Sutton]

I store my coffee beans in a ceramic container made for storing coffee beans. This container sits in a kitchen cupboard.

[Sir_Loin_of_Beef]

Coffee beans come in a bag with a breather valve built in. It's best to keep them in that bag because they start expelling gases as soon as they're roasted. If you don't think you'll consume all the coffee within a few days, freeze the whole bag.

[forty_caliber]

Originally Posted by Max Sutton

I store my coffee beans in a ceramic container made for storing coffee beans. This container sits in a kitchen cupboard.

Hit the nail on the head. To maintain absolute best quality roasted beans should be kept in a dry, cool, dark, place.

Since coffee beans are porous in nature, the moisture absorbed during a stretch in the freezer or refrigerator will destroy the essential oils in the bean. They can also absorb other flavors and odors like seafood under these conditions.

Even under the best conditions roasted whole bean coffee has a limited shelf life. Modern technology gives us a short addition to natural shelf life with one-way valves and vapor barrier bags but this provides only a little extra. As mentioned in an earlier post, as soon as the bean is roasted it starts out-gassing and losing flavor compounds in the process.

Storage rule of thumb:

Green = 2 years
Roasted whole bean = 2 weeks
Ground = 2 hours

Whenever possible buy your coffee from a local roaster and look for a "roasted on" date. Or better yet, roast it yourself.

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