How to Store Coffee Beans Once Opened So They Stay Fresh

You are always working against a ticking clock when it comes to coffee bean storage. Good quality packaging from the roaster can go a long way to keeping beans fresh by slowing the oxidation process.

 

In our state-of-the-art roasting facility, we package our coffee beans in nitrogen flushed, one-way valve bags to retain freshness. This reduces any residual oxygen to decelerate the oxidation process for enhanced freshness and for the preservation of distinct aromas and flavours.

 

But, what about once you open the bag? What is the best way to store coffee beans to retain their rich flavour and aroma for longer?

 

5 quick tips on how to store coffee beans properly once opened

Freshly ground beans deliver the best taste, so proper storage is crucial for cafés, restaurants, hotels, and households. Coffee left exposed deteriorates quickly and risks going stale.

 

1. Store opened coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place.

2. Consume ground coffee beans within one week and take note of the date the bag is opened.

3. Keep both beans and ground coffee away from sunlight.

4. Avoid placing coffee near air conditioners, ovens, toasters, air fryers, refrigeration motors and other heat sources.

5. Do not refrigerate coffee, as it absorbs moisture and vapours, affecting quality and crema.

 

How long will coffee beans last in an airtight container?

Whole beans will always last longer than ground coffee as there is less surface area available. If your coffee is in a completely airtight, opaque storage container, it can last up to a year.

 

Realistically you would want to consume freshly roasted beans within six to nine months if you were not intending on using them right away. Twelve months would be the maximum shelf life of an unopened, vacuum-sealed bag of coffee beans, delivered fresh from your favourite specialty coffee roaster.

 

If you buy in bulk and are finding the tail end of your order is always stale, consider opting in for a coffee bean subscription service instead. You can then tailor your order to receive the perfect amount of freshly roasted coffee beans when and as you need it: Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

 

This way you can have smaller amounts of fresh coffee beans delivered to you rather than trying to get through a backlog of older beans. It's a set and forget alternative which will keep you in good coffee at all times.

 

Subscription services for coffee can be the more economical choice too, with many offering a discount for your ongoing order.

 

How long do coffee beans last once opened?

Once you have opened the airtight bag your beans arrived in, the coffee will be at its best for up to two weeks. Some estimates put optimal freshness within the first month, but you will likely notice the rich flavour has decreased by then.

 

Storage conditions contribute greatly to how long your roasted coffee will taste fresh. The main culprits for making coffee go stale are:

 

• Oxygen (any air exposure)

• Heat or temperature fluctuations

• Moisture

• Direct sunlight

If you can avoid these as much as possible when storing coffee beans at home, you will get the best out of your beans for longer.

 

Other variables to consider include the roast level. Darker roasts will be more susceptible to staling as the oils produced during roasting will migrate to the surface of the bean faster than with lighter roasts. Once on the surface these oils are more prone to exposure to light and oxygen. Generally speaking though, all coffee will adhere to the above timelines.

 

If you really want to maximise freshness, we recommend grinding your own beans. While pre-ground coffee can be more convenient, grinding whole beans just before use will provide a much truer ‘fresh’ flavour.

 

What is the best vessel for storing coffee beans?

When choosing a container to store coffee beans, we recommend an opaque and airtight canister made from non-absorbent materials.

For example:

 

• Metal canisters

• Ceramic containers

• Failing opaque options, a glass container is next best for storing coffee

Consider where you are storing your coffee beans as well as what you are storing them in. You want a cool, dark place.

 

The kitchen pantry will often be dry and relatively temperature stable; so long as it doesn’t get any afternoon sun beaming in on the door, isn’t too close to the oven or other heat sources, and you have had no prior issues with mould or mildew in there.

 

Should you store coffee beans in the fridge?

Many might see the fridge as a logical option. With our hot Australian summers, room temperature is not always in the optimal range for coffee storage.

 

However, we would not recommend storing coffee beans in the fridge if you want to keep the taste and aroma intact. Coffee is very susceptible to absorbing ambient moisture from the air, so the fridge is one of the worst places to keep your beans.

 

Not only do you risk your coffee absorbing moisture, but it can absorb smells as well. No matter how good your leftovers from last night were, you probably don’t want to mix them with what should be the delicious aroma of your next cup of coffee.

 

Does freezing coffee beans keep them fresh longer?

The freezer is better than the fridge, but it is not necessary. If your coffee is delivered in airtight packaging and you have a cool, dark, and dry place to keep it, there is simply no need to store coffee beans in the freezer. 

 

If you want to store your coffee in the freezer, you should only store vacuum sealed beans so you don't run into the same issues with moisture and contamination as in the fridge.

 

Make sure to let them come to room temperature before opening the package to avoid condensation. Store them in an airtight container as usual once opened. You should never re-freeze coffee beans once they have thawed.

 

Can you store coffee beans in the grinder hopper?

You often see coffee shops have their machines set up like this; hoppers stacked full, a towering column of beans above the station. However, a café will get through a much higher volume of coffee beans than someone making a cup or two on their espresso machine at home.

 

The higher turnover means that while the beans are somewhat exposed in the hopper, they will not be there for long before they are used.

 

If you have coffee stored in a grinder hopper in your home set up, it will likely be sitting there for weeks. These hoppers are not usually airtight and are often clear or transparent to allow visibility of the remaining volume. It's better to keep coffee beans in the proper storage containers until you need to grind them.

 

How can you tell if coffee beans are rancid?

If your coffee is stored correctly, it will not go rancid. It will simply become stale over time and lose flavour. The only time your coffee may ‘spoil’ is if it is exposed to moisture or has absorbed odours from being stored incorrectly - an easy fix for next time.

 

You can tell if your coffee has gone stale primarily by the strength of the aroma. Eighty per cent of what we taste comes from the smell of whatever we are consuming, so coffee really is all about the aroma. If your beans lack the characteristic intense, nuanced scent of fresh coffee, you have likely left it too long.

 

If your coffee has been sitting around long enough that you are unsure if it is still worth drinking, you can probably go ahead and replace the beans.

 

You can make a cup to taste test if you’re wanting to be sure of it, but you will definitely notice the blandness here if not at the initial sniff test.

 

Storing coffee at home: Our advice

Once you know how to store coffee beans for maximum freshness, you'll find crafting that perfect, consistent cup at home becomes a lot easier. To sum up our advice:

 

1. Buy fresh beans. Like all consumable products, coffee is not meant to be stored indefinitely. For the best flavour you should opt for fresh, quality beans from a specialty coffee roaster.

2. Keep the original coffee bags intact as long as possible. Avoid opening the sealed packaging unless you intend to use the coffee within a 2-3 week period; this helps keep oxidation to a minimum.

3. Use well sealed containers and keep the coffee beans stored in a cupboard or other dark place. For coffee to stay fresh, you need as little light exposure as possible.

4. If your beans have gone stale and lost their characteristic aroma, cut your losses. Unfortunately, you will never be able to make delicious coffee from stale beans.

If you are storing correctly but still not satisfied with the coffee flavour, you may need to look at your brewing method or experiment with different blends to find the one you like best.

 

Making good coffee is a science, so it is worth assessing at all variables.

 

While you're here, don't forget to browse our range of specialty coffee beans - buy online and get fast delivery right across Australia.