Coffee is known for its intense flavor and deep aroma which always tastes best when it is fresh. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to store coffee correctly to keep that rich essence for as long as possible. As with many other household goods, there are certain practices to keep coffee from becoming stale too quickly. Read on to discover the best methods of storing coffee.

How to Store Coffee

Any coffee aficionado knows that good java comes at a premium, which is why you want to keep yours tasting as fresh as possible. Incorrectly storing coffee can easily result in exposure to oxygen and other elements that make your morning cup taste less vibrant. Other factors that contribute to the staleness of coffee include moisture, light, and heat. Coffee bean containers are the most effective way to store your favorite brew, though there are a number of additional methods to help keep your favorite bean tasting great for longer.

Avoid Oxygen

When storing coffee, avoid exposure to oxygen, as it will go stale sooner. There are several ways to limit contact with air:
Keep your coffee in its original packaging if it has an airtight seal.
Transfer your coffee to a sealable bag and try to push out as much air as possible.
Use airtight or vacuum sealed containers to remove any air inside.
Vacuum seal your coffee to completely remove the air from the package.

Tip!

For whole bean coffee storage, keep the bulk of it in a large airtight coffee bean container away from light, heat, and moisture. Use a smaller container for your daily brews and refill it only when necessary to limit exposure to oxygen.

Avoid Light

If you store coffee beans where they are exposed to light and heat, their molecules break down faster, which in turn reduces their freshness. For this reason it is best to store your coffee in containers made of opaque glass, ceramic, or a non-reactive metal with an airtight seal. Pantries and cupboards are the best locations for storing coffee, though you can also store yours on the countertop, as long as it is in a non-translucent container away from direct sunlight and heat.

Tip!

To preserve freshness, transfer your coffee into an airtight container as soon as it has been opened.

Freeze Your Coffee

Though it is a controversial topic, freezing coffee beans or grounds is an option, on the condition that it is vacuum sealed and saved for long-term storage only. Don't be fooled though – your coffee won't taste as good as when you first bought it, but you will be able to preserve some of the flavor. To freeze coffee grounds or beans, you need to ensure there is absolutely no air inside the packaging. Coffee is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs everything in its environment including aromas, moisture, and oxygen. When you are ready to drink your coffee, be sure to allow it to thaw at room temperature first.

Avoid the Fridge

For maximum coffee freshness don't store your coffee in the fridge as it will absorb any surrounding smells. The fridge is also full of moisture which causes your coffee to condensate and push its natural oils to the surface, causing it to age quicker.

Tip!

Avoid storing your coffee in bean hoppers as they are usually not airtight.

Tips for Buying Coffee

Although storing coffee correctly is the most important way to keep it fresher for longer, there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure you get the most out of your coffee.

Check the Roast Date

As with any other food, the fresher the coffee, the better. One look at the roast date will initiate the coffee freshness. Older coffee begins to lose its aroma over time, which is why you want to select the freshest package possible. The roast date should be no older than two weeks, and if you don't see a roast date, it is best to avoid that purchase entirely. Steer clear of any coffee beans that are stored in an open barrel as they have been exposed to UV rays, oxygen, and have most likely been contaminated by hands.

Purchase Smaller Portions

Though you may feel tempted to buy several bags of your favorite java, you would do better to stick with smaller portions. Large bags will have more fresh coffee that doesn't get used for a longer period of time. By the time you get to the end of the bag, that portion will likely be stale. It is a good idea to instead purchase your coffee in one to two week portions and store them correctly.

Tip!

Pre-ground coffee goes stale quicker than whole beans as their increased surface area has more contact with oxygen. It is best to purchase and store coffee beans to grind yourself.

Try Different Coffee Types

Coffee freshness also depends on the form that you purchase it in.For the best quality coffee, whole beans offer the most flavor as they release all their aroma and taste once ground. It is best to grind your beans right before you brew them to avoid oxidation, though this can be a chore. You will still have great tasting coffee if you grind small batches and make sure to use the whole beans within a month.

Though ground coffee is more convenient than whole beans, there is a clear difference in taste between the two. Remember that ground coffee loses its natural flavors the longer it goes unused for.

If you are serious about coffee and have the equipment, you may want to roast and grind your own. Green coffee beans store better and last longer than roasted coffee beans, though they do also entail far more work. Note too that freshly roasted coffee beans need to be stored appropriately to allow for degassing – so be sure to follow roasting instructions closely.

Use Your Stale Beans

If you fail to store your coffee beans correctly or they go stale before you use them, have no fear! Older coffee beans can still be used to make cold brew instead.

Storing coffee correctly is not difficult once you know how. Now, you can avoid a bitter stale cup due to improper storage.