There is nothing quite like the smell and taste of freshly roasted high-quality coffee is there?
How can you store it to maintain this flavor so that it stays great to the last cup?
We're so glad you asked!
The first key to maintaining freshness is buying your coffee in manageable amounts - buy the amount that you will use in the length of time the coffee will stay at its freshest. When stored properly, whole bean coffee will maintain its flavor and freshness for about one month once the package is opened. Sealed, unopened bags of whole bean coffee will maintain freshness for up to two months. On the other hand, when ground, coffee begins to lose flavor right away with over half of the aroma and flavor lost within 2 weeks. After a month, ground coffee will still be “drinkable”, but it will have a dull or flat taste – even when properly stored. While we always recommend buying whole beans and grinding them at home for the freshest cup of coffee, we also know that this doesn't work for everyone and that is okay! Just remember this when deciding how much coffee to order at one time.
There are many theories and opinions about the best ways to store coffee and how long it takes to lose its freshness, but it all boils down to keeping your coffee away from heat, light, moisture (cold), and oxygen.
When you purchase coffee from Bow River Coffee, it comes in high barrier bags that are opaque, resealable, and have a one-way valve to let carbon dioxide out without letting air in (did you know that roasted coffee releases carbon dioxide?). Our packaging is the perfect storage vessel for your coffee and the best place to keep it is in a pantry or cupboard, away from light and sources of heat or large temperature variances. We have many customers who purchase multiple bags at once – just make sure to store your unopened bags in a cool dark place. If you would prefer to transfer your coffee to a storage container, there are proper coffee storage containers available that are opaque, allow you to remove air from the container, and have a one-way valve to allow for the release of carbon dioxide.
One of the biggest myths about coffee storage is that it should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer but this is not recommended. Repeatedly moving the coffee in and out of a fridge or freezer creates temperature fluctuations that will cause condensation to form on the beans. This moisture degrades the beans quickly and can cause the coffee to have an "off" or sour taste. Also, roasted coffee is porous so if it is not in a proper container, it will start to taste like the environment it is stored in.
That's it!
It's actually pretty simple to store your coffee in a way that maintains its freshness for as long as possible.
Here are the key takeaways:
Thanks for taking the time to read through these tips - please let us know if you have any questions at all!
Remember - no matter how busy life gets, there is always time for great coffee!
Marc & Cathy