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How should you store freshly roasted coffee beans?
We're often asked, "What's the best way to store your coffee beans, and how long can they be kept?" Sometimes we even ask if freezing is necessary to maintain optimal quality.
To be honest… No.
Unless you've bought some truly special coffee beans that you want to enjoy again next year, this might be an option. But beware: This is not without risks.
You can store our freshly roasted coffee beans as long as you like. Coffee doesn't actually spoil. But to truly enjoy the coffee to the fullest, you should drink it within six to eight weeks of roasting.
After that, the taste really deteriorates and it's actually a waste of your freshly roasted specialty coffee.
To keep the coffee optimally fresh for six to eight weeks, there are a few tips to follow.
First of all, it's important to understand the basics of coffee beans and what causes them to age.
Tip: Always grind your coffee beans each time you brew. When you grind the beans, the flavor and aromas disappear very quickly. Ground coffee loses 15-50% of its flavor and aroma within a few hours.
Understanding the Basics of Coffee Beans
Coffee is an agricultural product and like all organic products, its quality deteriorates over time.
Exposure to external factors such as oxygen, heat, moisture, and light will significantly impact the shelf life of coffee . Interestingly, light has the greatest impact on coffee's shelf life.
When roasted coffee beans are exposed to light for extended periods, a chemical reaction (photodegradation) occurs. This rapidly diminishes the aroma and flavor of the coffee.
In the end, you're left with a flat and unexciting cup of coffee from which all the complex flavors have disappeared.
So it's incredibly important to always buy freshly roasted coffee beans. A good specialty coffee roaster roasts their coffee fresh weekly, and sometimes even daily, so you, as a consumer, always get the highest possible quality and can enjoy the exciting flavors the coffee has to offer.
The coffee roaster also does everything possible through its packaging to ensure the shelf life of the coffee beans is as long as possible and sometimes even gives you tips on how to store coffee beans.
How long do coffee beans last after you open the bag?
How long you can store coffee beans after opening the bag depends on two factors. The most important is when the coffee was roasted.
It's better to look at the roasting date because it gives you the best indication of the coffee's shelf life. Secondly, it all depends on how you store the coffee beans afterward.
How long you can store coffee beans after roasting is, of course, also a matter of debate. Coffee doesn't spoil at all, at least not in the bag. You can keep coffee for years, but it won't taste good.
Some coffee roasters say you should use the coffee within two weeks of roasting for optimal flavor. After extensive testing, we've concluded that the "sweet spot" for most coffee beans lies somewhere between six and eight weeks after roasting.
It is important to protect the coffee beans as best as possible against oxygen, light, heat and moisture during this period.
At Zwarte Roes, we use 100% recyclable bags for our coffee. These bags are equipped with a one-way valve that prevents oxygen from reaching the coffee.
In addition, the bags are sealed airtight and have a light barrier. Once opened, you can press out the air and reseal the coffee with the resealable zipper.
This makes it super easy to store coffee beans at home under the best conditions.
Tips for storing coffee beans
It is best to store your coffee beans in the packaging you received them in, provided it has a one-way valve, a resealable strip and is sufficiently light-proof.
If this is not the case, you can choose an airtight container with a dark color that does not allow light, air and moisture to pass through.
This is the best way to store coffee beans for the longest time, ensuring that the flavor profile remains optimal for a longer period of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you store coffee beans?
For the ultimate taste experience, it's recommended to drink freshly roasted coffee beans within six to eight weeks of roasting. Coffee doesn't spoil, but its flavor does deteriorate significantly after this period.
Can you store coffee beans in a glass jar?
This is possible, but exposure to light will quickly degrade the flavor and quality of your coffee beans. It's best to choose a pot or container that doesn't let in light.
How do you know if your coffee beans are fresh?
You can tell how fresh your coffee beans are by the roasting date printed on the packaging.
Can I store my coffee beans in the freezer?
You can definitely store coffee beans in the freezer to drastically extend their shelf life. However, it's crucial to vacuum-seal them properly to ensure no moisture or odors from other products in the freezer can get to them. Trust me, that won't make your coffee any better!
How long can I store supermarket coffee beans?
This also depends entirely on the roasting date of the coffee beans. Unfortunately, coffee you buy in the supermarket often doesn't have a roasting date.
Conclusion
Freshly roasted coffee beans are best stored in airtight and lightproof packaging. Then, store them in a cool, dry place for the ultimate flavor experience.
To get an idea of how long you can store your coffee beans, it's advisable to check the roasting date. If you buy your coffee from a specialty coffee roaster, this will certainly be stated.
If you store it as well as possible after opening, you'll experience the ultimate flavor within six to eight weeks. After this time, the aromas, taste, and smell will continue to deteriorate a little more each day.
