How to Buy and Store Coffee

Perhaps one the most common questions in the world of coffee, aside from how to make the best cup possible, is how to store the coffee to ensure a great cup every time. In fact, if you get a group of coffee drinkers together, you are very likely to hear that question come up for debate. And while some will say that the storage method isn't all that important, it is, and ultimately, there are 3 main ways people store coffee:

• Storing coffee in the freezer
• Storing coffee in the container in which it was purchased
• Storing coffee in a glass container

Interestingly, depending on the circumstances, there is an element of truth in each of these methods. It should be noted that when considering how to store coffee, there are two main enemies of good coffee flavor- air and moisture. Regardless of what method is employed for coffee storage you will want to prevent these elements from getting to your coffee.

Tips for Storing Coffee

Because coffee is an organic product, proper storing results in better flavor. This is due to the volatile oils that give coffee its well-loved flavor that is released by the roasting process. Unfortunately, once the coffee has been roasted theses oils begin to decay. Then, once the coffee beans have been ground the loss of flavor is expedited. Following the tips below can make difference between a good and great cup of coffee.

Do not store ground coffee; rather buy your coffee beans whole and grind them when you are ready to use. The roasted coffee beans should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container where they are not exposed to heat or sunlight. Be sure the container is not transparent!

In your air-tight container, you can store up to a week's supply of coffee, and you can store another week's supply in the freezer. If storing coffee in the freezer be sure that you put the beans in an airtight container or store them in a zip top bag that has had all the excess air squeezed out (there are several products on the market that make this easy.) After removing the air, seal the bag and then wrap the bag in at least 2 layers of plastic wrap and then finish with a layer of aluminum foil.

Once you take the bag out of the freezer, do not re-freeze as this will only dehydrate the beans quickening the loss of flavor.

Tips for Buying Coffee

There's more to a good cup of coffee than simply knowing how to store it. First, you need to know to purchase your coffee supply. This means more than simply buying a bag of coffee. Keep these tips in mind when you make your next coffee purchase.

• Buy from a roaster who can tell you when the coffee was roasted.
• Only buy coffee packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or cans.
• Buy no more than a two week supply of coffee at a time.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of coffee. One such site worth visiting is http://www.4seasonscoffee.net.

Janet Slagell independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. (http://www.webdrafter.com) for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.