The best way to store coffee

Great coffee storage options are airtight, metal, glass, or ceramic jars. The metal cans have a double lid, for maximum freshness retention and an airtight seal. As with tea storage, coffee storage is full of bad practices and misconceptions. Here are some facts about the proper storage of ground coffee and coffee beans for maximum flavor and freshness. Coffee books can teach you how to serve coffee, but if you’re serving an inferior product, all the service skills in the world won’t matter.

The four things to avoid when storing coffee are light, heat, humidity, and air. Here are some tips for storing coffee:

• Dry, cool, and dark places (like a closet or pantry) are ideal for storing coffee.
• Avoid humid places like freezers or refrigerators.
• Avoid hot places such as on the stove or in cabinets that are exposed to direct sunlight.
• Airtight, opaque containers are ideal for storage, when kept on a countertop that won’t face direct sunlight or exposure to heat.
• Once the original packaging of a product has been opened, the coffee will lose freshness quickly.

Container types

• Ideal containers for storing coffee are non-reactive metal, ceramic, or glass; and they have hermetic joints.
• Coffee should only be stored fresh in clear glass or plastic containers if they are kept in cool, dark places.
• To store on a counter, use opaque, airtight containers.

Long-term freshness

• The coffee reaches its maximum freshness immediately after roasting and begins to lose freshness after that.
• Ground coffee should be consumed within 10 days after roasting.
• Whole beans must be used within 30 days of roasting.
• Buy coffee for only a short period at a time, rather than buying a large quantity and allowing it to lose freshness in storage.
• If you buy in bulk, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark area. Keep a smaller portion for daily use. Only open your larger container when you are filling the smaller one. Limiting exposure to air is important to maintain freshness.

Difference in freshness between whole beans and ground coffee

• Ground coffee spoils much faster than whole beans, mainly because it has a much larger surface area.

Whole Green Beans

• Many high-end coffee retailers sell numerous varieties of whole green coffee beans. Green coffee beans are easier to store and last much longer than roasted beans. Properly stored green varieties can last a year or more.
• Green beans can be roasted at home, providing the freshest green coffee.
• After roasting the green beans, place them in an airtight container or a sealed bag with a valve and open once a day for the first week. Immediately after roasting, the beans will remove a large amount of carbon dioxide, and by periodically opening their storage container, it will slowly release.

Frozen coffee

• Freezing is generally not recommended for the freshness of the coffee. It causes the oil to break down, and if the seal is not completely airtight, your coffee will taste similar to the other items you had in the freezer.
• If you must freeze your coffee, you can use heat-sealed bags or airtight aluminum foil to store the coffee in the freezer for up to 30 days.
• Never return coffee bags or packages to the freezer once opened. Repeated defrosting will result in a tasteless coffee, and the flavor you will have will be from inside your freezer.

None of this qualifies as barista training, nor is it a comprehensive resource on how to store coffee. However, following these tips will ensure that you are serving the best tasting coffee possible.