September 21, 2022
If you happen to come across old coffee in the back of your pantry, do not assume it will make a delicious cup. Similar to foods we buy in the produce section, great tasting coffee has a shelf life and requires proper storage to preserve freshness. Failing to keep your beans or coffee grounds in the right conditions will result in a disappointing experience.
Freshness is a constant concern for everyone in the coffee supply chain. Whether it’s roasters or consumers, everyone wants to get the most out of their coffee beans from farm to cup. Preserving the most flavor in your brew starts with understanding the environmental factors that affect it. Here are the major do’s and don’ts of storing coffee in your home.
What To Avoid
The environmental factors that reduce the quality of your coffee are everywhere, but knowing what they are can help you choose the right place to store your product.
When it comes to coffee storage, one should avoid exposure to heat, light, air, and moisture. The design of your home and the climate of your local environment will influence how much these factors come into contact with your coffee, but it’s important to find a space that constantly minimizes exposure to these elements year-round. Your coffee’s nuanced flavors, as well as its organoleptic and nutritional qualities, are what are ultimately at stake.
Heat
Exposure to heat can easily go unnoticed. Placing your coffee in a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight can cause coffee to get increasingly warmed up over time. The same logic applies to coffee’s proximity to certain heat sources and kitchen appliances. Do not store your coffee next to a stove, toaster, or indoor heater. Instead, find a cool area that is a safe distance away from any of these heat-producing items.
Light
Store your coffee in a cupboard, drawer, or pantry that can be fully shut or closed. This eliminates unwanted light exposure from the sun or lighting fixtures in the home. It is also recommended to store coffee in sealable containers that are opaque and cannot allow light to pass through, such as metal tins.
Air
Like your favorite bag of chips and other dry goods, consistent exposure to air will make coffee go stale. Preserve your coffee’s flavors by storing it in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container. The original pouch from Lardera is suitable storage, just make sure to press out excess air and seal completely after opening.
Moisture
Moisture levels will vary depending on climate and time of year. Airtight and vacuum-sealed containers help combat unwanted humidity in the home. Coffee can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer to prolong its freshness; however, this is only a temporary solution. Once you take your coffee out for the freezer for usage, its freshness will start to decrease quickly.
The fridge is another cold storage option, but it is
not as effective in preserving freshness as the freezer. The fridge can also pose another risk to your coffee. As an ingredient, coffee is very porous and can come into contact with various odors which influence its taste.
Does it matter if my coffee is ground or whole?
Whether you purchase pre-ground coffee or whole beans, your product will decrease in quality if exposed to environmental elements. However, how quickly coffee decreases in quality does vary between grounds and whole beans.
Coffee has various volatile compounds that give it its aroma and taste profiles. Once coffee beans are broken up in a grinder, these compounds become more exposed to the environment. Ground coffee also has a larger surface in comparison to coffee beans, meaning more of it comes into contact with air.
Does coffee expire?
Although coffee is very sensitive, it is still a non-perishable item. You’ll notice some other brands coffee bags come with a “Best Before Date”, but consuming it after said date does not make it potentially harmful or dangerous. Instead, you’ll just be left with a slightly underwhelming experience.
As a general rule, roasted coffee that is properly stored can preserve its quality for about three to six months, but this can vary between bean type and roast. This is why Lardera prints the packaged (for green) or roast dates (for roasted). Coffee stored in the freezer can be preserved for roughly two years.
How should I store my green coffee?
Green coffee should be stored the same way you store grounds or roasted coffee beans. It should be noted that green coffee is more sensitive to moisture and can grow old as a result. Store your green coffee in a cool, dry place to prevent any unwanted spoiling.
