How to store freshly roasted coffee to enjoy its full flavour and aroma for as long as possible?
Freshly roasted coffee is a real feast for the senses, especially if it comes from a coffee roastery specialising in high-quality coffees. If you have already invested in an exceptional speciality coffee, you certainly want to enjoy its full flavour and aroma for as long as possible. In order to make this happen, proper storage is key. In this blog post, we will give you tips on what to do to ensure that your coffee always tastes fresh and aromatic!
Why does freshly roasted coffee need special treatment?
Coffee is a natural product that, like most such products, loses its best qualities over time. Freshly roasted coffee beans are full of oils that give it that unique taste and aroma. Unfortunately, these oils are very susceptible to external influences. The four main “enemies” of coffee freshness are: oxygen, moisture, temperature and light. If you don't store your coffee properly, these factors can cause your favourite beverage to quickly lose its uniqueness.
It is worth remembering that high-quality coffee from a reputable coffee roastery is not a product that can be kept in any conditions. Its quality deserves proper care in order to enjoy the full flavour experience for as long as possible.
The most important rules for storing freshly roasted coffee
The world of speciality coffee has its own rules, and one of the most important is the proper storage of the beans. As we mentioned, coffee is an extremely sensitive product to external factors. And what can be done to avoid freshly roasted beans coming into contact with these factors?
Airtight packaging is essential!
The first and most important rule – always store your coffee in airtight packaging. In a good speciality coffee shop, you will usually find coffees packed in special bags with a one-way valve and a zipper closure. Such packaging allows the gases produced after roasting to escape, while blocking the access of oxygen. This is ideal if you want to prolong the freshness of your coffee. Thanks to the zipper closure, you can be sure that every time you reach for your coffee, it will be properly sealed.
At our CoffeeBroastery.com online shop, all coffees are packaged in such a way that they retain their freshness for as long as possible. Each pack is equipped with a convenient zipper closure that allows for multiple airtight closures.
Avoid storing coffee in the fridge!
Many people mistakenly think that storing coffee in the fridge is a good idea. In fact, coffee in the fridge absorbs moisture and odours from other foods, which negatively affects its taste and aroma. Cold temperatures also do not help to keep coffee fresh – on the contrary, they expose it to condensation. If you have bought a high-quality freshly roasted coffee and want to keep its unique flavour and aroma for as long as possible, try to avoid storing it in the fridge. Instead, keep your coffee at room temperature, in a dry and dark place, away from heat (e.g. oven, heater or windows). This will help the beans retain their quality for longer.
Coffee jars and containers – yes, but smartly!
A lot of coffee drinkers choose to store their coffee in special containers or jars. This is a good idea, provided that these containers are airtight and keep out the light. Glass, transparent jars are not the best choice unless they are darkened – coffee exposed to light will lose its valuable qualities more quickly. Instead, it is better to choose a ceramic or metal container with an airtight lid, which will effectively protect the coffee beans from the external factors.
It is also worth remembering that coffee is best stored as a whole bea – grinding it freshly, just before brewing, preserves the most flavour and aroma. Coffee in beans retains its aroma much longer. This is because ground coffee has many times more surface area in contact with air, so it loses its properties more quickly. If you go for high-quality speciality coffee, we recommend buying a coffee grinder (e.g. manual or electric) and grinding it just before brewing! However, if you decide to buy ground coffee, pay even more attention to the tightness of the packaging, as ground coffee loses its properties much faster than whole beans.
How long to store coffee to enjoy its freshness?
Freshly roasted coffee usually reaches its best flavour around 7-14 days after roasting. Coffees that can be purchased in our shop are roasted up to a maximum of 2 weeks prior to shipment, and we always provide an exact roasting date on each package. Properly stored, coffee will retain its full flavour for approximately 2-3 months after roasting, although the most discerning coffee drinkers will probably notice subtle differences in taste after just a few weeks. After this time, its aroma and flavour will gradually start to fade, although the coffee will, of course, still be drinkable. Coffee is a foodstuff that, like fresh bread or fruit, tastes best when it is fresh. So if you want to enjoy the full flavour of your speciality coffee, it is a good idea to consume it as soon as possible after opening the package. And remember that buying smaller quantities of coffee, but more often, is a great way to always have freshly roasted beans on hand.
Remember, in order for speciality coffee to retain its unique flavour and aroma for as long as possible, you need to take care of the right storage conditions. The most important rules include airtight packaging, avoiding the fridge and storing in a dry, dark place. It is also worth ensuring that the container you keep your coffee in is airtight and light-proof.
If you choose coffee from our Coffee Broastery shop, you can be sure that each packet comes with a zipper closure that allows the coffee to be re-sealed multiple times, helping to preserve its freshness and quality for longer. Treat your coffee with care and every sip will be a real pleasure for your palate!