You bought a lot of coffee beans, but you just can't drink them all at once...
Have you ever been in such a situation?
Coffee beans are fresh food, and freshness is vital!
It's important to preserve them properly to prevent deterioration and enjoy them even after some time has passed.
This time, we'll introduce how to store coffee beans!
Enemies that cause deterioration
Various factors contribute to the deterioration of beans, and the deliciousness of coffee is lost over time.
First, air.
Coffee beans oxidize immediately after roasting and release carbon dioxide. At that time, aroma components are also released, and the fresh flavor is lost.
Next, light.
Ultraviolet rays damage the beans and promote deterioration.
Therefore, it is necessary to protect the beans not only from sunlight but also from fluorescent light.
Third, temperature.
Exposing beans to high temperatures accelerates chemical reactions, which in turn speeds up deterioration.
Especially in summer, avoid places where heat tends to accumulate.
Finally, moisture.
The moisture content of roasted beans is about 4%. Therefore, they are highly hygroscopic.
Absorption of moisture leads to deterioration such as a decrease in flavor.
Keeping these factors in mind, it is preferable to store them in a light-blocking container that is airtight and avoids high temperatures and humidity.
The canister cans handled by Base Coffee are also one of the containers suitable for room temperature storage because of their excellent light-blocking and airtight properties.
Click here if you're interested in canister cans!
Long-term storage method
When coffee beans are roasted, oxidation proceeds, and at the same time, the aroma and umami components mature.
This maturation takes about two weeks after roasting, after which only oxidation continues.
Given this, it can be said that room temperature storage is fine for beans within two to three weeks after roasting.
However, what if you absolutely have to store them for a longer period?
Let's look at how to store coffee long-term.
Bean condition
When purchasing coffee beans, you may have the option of whole beans or ground coffee, but if you want to store them long-term, always choose whole beans.
Ground coffee is convenient because it can be brewed immediately and saves the trouble of grinding, but it deteriorates faster than whole beans because it has a larger surface area exposed to air.
In addition, coffee beans have deodorizing properties, and when ground, they are more likely to absorb other odors. Therefore, if ground coffee is stored for a long time, the taste of the coffee will deteriorate severely.
It is best to consume ground coffee within one week of grinding.
Storage container
It is very important to use an appropriate container to protect coffee from its enemies.
What you want in a storage container is high airtightness, which can protect the flavor of the coffee by preventing as much oxygen and moisture as possible from entering, which leads to coffee deterioration.
Recently, airtight containers are sold at various stores, and the canister can mentioned above is one of them.
One recommended item for storing coffee beans is a bag with a one-way valve.
This is the type of bag used at Base Coffee, and this valve has a function that prevents external air from entering while allowing gas released from the beans and accumulated inside to escape.
If the coffee beans are packaged in a bag with a valve when you purchase them, there should be no problem storing them as they are.
Storage method
For coffee storage, beans within 2-3 weeks of roasting can be stored at room temperature, but if stored for several months or more, even in an airtight container, the beans will deteriorate at room temperature.
Therefore, freezing is recommended.
First, place the coffee in a highly airtight container in the freezer without opening the seal.
When using it, return it to room temperature before opening and using it. Once opened, do not refreeze it, and store it at room temperature in a cool, dark place.
Of course, the aroma will be inferior to fresh coffee, but it will be more delicious than storing it at room temperature for several months.
The best way is...
We've provided information on coffee storage so far, but the best way is to drink it all while it's fresh!
Store it in a highly airtight container to avoid excessive deterioration and maintain freshness as much as possible.
Ideally, you should purchase coffee beans with a known roast date, store them at room temperature, and drink them within two weeks!
Nowadays, you can easily purchase fresh coffee online, so it's probably better to buy small amounts at a time that you can finish.
Since you've gone to the trouble, let's enjoy a wonderful time with fresh, aromatic, and delicious coffee!
Click here to purchase Base Coffee beans.
