It is important to properly store coffee beans, especially after they have been roasted. Unroasted beans will keep for years when kept in a cool, dark and dry container but roasted beans are a lot fussier.
Storing Coffee
The primary aim of any storage is to limit the amount of air, moisture, heat and sunlight that can get to the coffee beans. This alone will slow the chemical processes that are inherent in any roasted coffee beans. Various techniques have been tried: including vacuum packing, canning, freezing, and more. Some techniques work better than others, while some impact the coffee flavor and do little to help make a good cup of coffee!
Beans Mean Flavor
To understand how fragile a bean's flavor is, you must know where it comes from. Once a bean is roasted the oils are brought to the surface of the bean. After a few days without proper storage, the oils turn rancid and the coffee tastes nothing like it should.
Fresh Roasted Beans
Freshly roasted and ground beans also produce gasses that are part of the flavor and body of the brewed coffee. After about a week these gasses dissipate and the coffee starts to age, with loss of its original flavor. That is why ground, vacuum packed coffee can be so mediocre; the gasses have dissipated in the packing process and so have the flavors. Never buy a broken or torn vacuum packed bag.
Store Green Beans Well
You can vacuum seal Unroasted beans for future use and keep them for years if you like home roasting. You can also keep these beans in a dry, cool container. Once they are roasted though, you should use grind and use them within a few days. Freezing is not recommended because of the inevitable condensation that ruins the flavor of the coffee.
Choose your storage carefully
You will probably see vacuum containers for coffee and roasted beans. Some are electric and some are battery powered. While these are excellent for preserving raw beans and roasted beans, vacuum sealing robs ground coffee of its flavor by removing its natural gasses.
The best way is...
The best way to store fresh coffee beans is in a tightly closed container. There are several kinds of attractive containers that have a wire lock on the lid but any type of tightly covered jar or can will do. This is the best way to protect the oils of the coffee beans and get the best flavor from your freshly ground and brewed coffee.
About this Author
You'll find that these tips will really help you to choose and store your coffee beans. If you're looking for more advice, why not check out more Tips On Buying Coffee Beans.
Visit PurelyCoffeeBeans to find out the latest tips and information on making 'great coffee every day'!
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