According to the National Coffee Association, the key to storing roasted coffee beans for maximum freshness and flavor is to minimize exposure to air, moisture, heat, and light. They recommend to store coffee beans in an opaque, air-tight container at room temperature. Giselle F Abreu from the University Center of Cerrado recommends more specific guidelines for storing both roasted and unroasted (green) coffee beans, suggesting an environment with a moisture content of around 11% at 10ºC (50°F) with 50% relative humidity.
For longer-term storage, consider freezing. Research indicates that freezing can be an effective method to preserve coffee. A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports found that freezing at either -10°C (14°F) or storing at 10°C (50°F) in airtight containers slows down aging in both green and roasted beans. Furthermore, research from 2019 by Andrew R. Cotter and Helene Hopfer (Pennsylvania State University) suggests that freezing dark roast beans helps preserve their fresh-roasted aroma, making them more comparable to newly roasted coffee in consumer taste tests. However, it's important to avoid the risk of condensation caused by temperature fluctuations, which is why its recommended to let the container reach the room temperature before opening.
While freezing is a viable option, many baristas believe the best way to store coffee beans is in smaller quantities, buying them fresh each week for optimal flavor. Want that fresh-roasted taste? At Powerbean Coffee, we're obsessed with freshness. Your specialty coffee beans are roasted to order and shipped within hours, guaranteeing the freshest experience.
To store coffee beans at home, follow the 9 steps below.
- Use Room Temperature
- Minimize Storage Duration
- Use Freezer
- Use Airtight Container
- Write the Date
- Use Kitchen Pantry
- Store Whole Beans
- Use Arabica Coffee Beans
- Grind Before Brewing
1. Use Room Temperature to Store Coffee
The temperature at which you store roasted coffee beans significantly impacts their flavor and aroma. Higher temperatures accelerate chemical reactions and processes like oxidation, which contribute to the deterioration of coffee's quality. This raises questions about the traditional recommendation of storing coffee beans at room temperature.
The National Coffee Association suggests storing beans at typical room temperatures between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) and strongly advises against refrigeration. The reason is simple: coffee beans and grounds are absorbent, readily soaking up moisture and odors from the air. Each time you open and close the refrigerator door, the temperature inside fluctuates, potentially causing condensation to form within the coffee container. However, recent research suggests cooler temperatures may be even better for preserving freshness.
A 2023 study by Justyna Błaszkiewicz shows that storing roasted coffee beans at room temperature (around 20°C/68°F) leads to rapid aging. In contrast, cooler temperatures like -10°C and 10°C (14°F and 50°F) maintain the coffee's quality for longer, slowing down the processes that cause flavor loss. Similarly, a 2022 study by Magdalena Zarebska analyzed compounds essential for coffee's flavor – chlorogenic acids (CQAs), caffeine, and trigonelline. This study also showed that cooler temperatures, particularly -10°C (14°F), preserved these compounds best in roasted coffee beans.
What about green coffee? Does it go bad at room temperature? While green coffee left at room temperature doesn't technically 'go bad' or 'expire' like perishable foods such as milk, fruits, or meat, it does lose flavor over time. A 2023 study by Giselle F Abreu from University Center of Cerrado shows that storing both green and roasted coffee at lower temperatures helps preserve quality, while storage at 25°C accelerates aging and quality decline after the first 3 months (as shown in this diagram).
While storing coffee beans properly in a cool place helps, what about brewed coffee? A 2008 study by Monica Pérez-Martínez found that the aromatic compounds in your brewed coffee degrade over time, even when refrigerated (4°C). Colder temperatures slow this process, but it's still best to enjoy your coffee freshly brewed to avoid flavor loss and potential off-notes that can develop with extended storage.
2. Minimize Storage Duration to Store Coffee
To keep your coffee tasting its absolute best, try to avoid storing it for too long. Long-term coffee storage means keeping beans for more than six months, often using techniques like freezing or vacuum sealing to prevent spoilage. While coffee doesn't exactly go bad, it loses those amazing flavors and aromas we love.
So, how long can you store coffee and still have it taste awesome? For the best experience, try to use your coffee beans within the first 1-2 weeks after opening. Studies, like one from the University of Hamburg in 1992, show that storing roasted coffee beans in room temperature noticeably loses its lovely aroma within just 8 days, even before it becomes truly stale. Of course, sometimes we buy in bulk or find ourselves drinking less coffee for a while. If that happens, storing beans for a little longer might be unavoidable.
If you do need to store coffee for a few weeks longer, begin by planning realistically. Can you use your coffee beans within 3-6 months? Studies show that after this time, even the best beans start to taste less fresh and even a little rancid. This happens because of chemical changes, such as the formation of n-hexanal (a chemical marker of staleness), as the coffee itself ages, even when carefully stored. If you really must store your coffee for a longer time than 3-6 months, consider storing your beans in the freezer.
3. Use Freezer to Store Coffee Beans
To store coffee beans in the freezer, follow the steps below.
- Seal it Tight: Choose an airtight container like a zipper bag or a jar. For extra freshness, consider vacuum sealing. Don't use the original coffee bag due to the degassing valve.
- Portion Control: Divide your coffee into smaller batches, enough for about a week's worth of brewing. This minimizes how often the beans are exposed to air.
- Deep Freeze: Pop those airtight containers into the freezer.
- The Thaw is Key: Before opening a container, let it thaw completely to room temperature. This prevents condensation, which can damage flavor.
How long is freezer coffee good for? You can store coffee beans in the freezer for 6-12 months, but if you want to maintain maximum freshness, use them within 3 months, according to a 2018 study from The Pennsylvania State University. The study found that you can freeze coffee beans at -19°C for 9 weeks in an amber glass container to make them last longer without compromising freshness, comparable to freshly roasted coffee. The study further suggests that freezer storage, particularly in airtight, light-blocking containers, effectively preserves coffee's flavor over time.
4. Use Airtight Container to Store Coffee Beans
Storing coffee beans in airtight containers helps to preserve their fresh-roasted flavor. When coffee is exposed to oxygen, the essential aroma compounds in freshly roasted beans begin to oxidize, leading to a loss of flavor and freshness. This oxidation not only diminishes the coffee's aromatic qualities but also promotes the formation of rancid flavors as lipid molecules within the coffee degrade. So what is the best airtight coffee container? The National Coffee Association recommends opaque (one that doesn't allow light to pass through) airtight containers kept at room temperature.
However, a 2022 study by Samo Smrke from Zurich University of Applied Sciences suggests that packages with integrated screw caps offer superior freshness preservation for whole roasted coffee beans compared to methods like airtight canisters, tape, or clips, as shown in this diagram.
While screw caps excel for whole beans, vacuum sealing is another effective preservation method. By removing oxygen, vacuum sealing further minimizes the oxidation process that leads to staling. A vacuum-sealed package, as per USDA definition, is a package from which substantially all air has been removed before sealing, creating a vacuum inside to help prolong food shelf life, preserve flavors, and retard bacterial growth. A 2022 study from Universitas Gadjah Mada by Syerina Raihatul Jannah demonstrated this with probiotic instant coffee. Vacuum-sealed packages stored at 4°C had a predicted shelf life of two years, significantly longer than the three months observed at 30°C.
Historically, vacuum packing has been recognized for its ability to drastically reduce oxygen levels, a key factor in coffee staling (Sortwell 2008). Studies further indicate that vacuum-packed coffee stales significantly slower than coffee exposed to air (Nicoli et al. 1993). This demonstrates the power of vacuum storage for preserving coffee beans freshness. But if you're ready to invest in vacuum technology, which option should you choose?
According to James Hoffman, an English barista, the Fellow Atmos vacuum canister outperforms other options after extensive testing. He classified containers as airtight, displacement (which remove some air but not all), or vacuum, noting that vacuum systems generally preserve coffee quality best, offering more sweetness and clarity. The Atmos excelled for its design, ease of use, and overall quality.
While Hoffman acknowledged that taste differences weren't always significant (suggesting a well-made, resealable bag might suffice for many), the Fellow Atmos is the top choice for those seeking optimal storage, despite being the most expensive option. Other good performers to store whole coffee beans include the Coffeevac (displacement) and Airscape.
5. Write the Date to Store Coffee Beans
Writing the date to store coffee beans refers to marking the day you opened the package or transferred beans to a container. This typically uses a month/day/year format (e.g., 04/18/2024). While not strictly mandatory, writing the date is highly recommended to avoid serving stale coffee. Coffee beans begin losing freshness within 2-3 weeks of roasting. Writing the storage date helps track this time frame to ensure optimal flavor. It's especially crucial if you buy in bulk or store multiple types of beans. Proper labeling promotes pantry organization. You'll instantly know which coffee containers are freshest, allowing for efficient use and reducing waste.
6. Use Pantry to Store Coffee Beans
Storing coffee beans in a pantry means placing them in an airtight container and keeping them inside the pantry to maintain freshness. While not strictly necessary, storing coffee beans in a pantry is highly recommended for optimal quality and flavor for up to two weeks. Pantries provide a cool, dark environment that helps preserve freshness. Plus, they offer convenient access to your beans. However, if your pantry experiences frequent temperature changes, opt for a dark, cool cupboard with a more stable temperature.
7. Store Whole Beans to Store Coffee Beans
Storing coffee as whole beans helps to maximize shelf life. This minimizes the exposure of flavorful and aromatic compounds to air, moisture, and light. The roasting process creates flavor and aroma compounds in coffee beans. These compounds begin to degrade once exposed to air. Grinding increases the coffee's surface area, accelerating this flavor loss.
To keep your beans fresh, store them whole. In "On Food and Cooking," Harold McGee notes that freshly ground coffee lasts only a few days at room temperature. Whole beans, however, can stay fresh for weeks at room temperature or months in the fridge.
The Specialty Coffee Association supports this, indicating that whole beans retain their best quality for no more than 3-4 weeks after roasting when stored properly. Whole beans are also less susceptible to moisture, light, and temperature changes that rapidly degrade the quality of ground coffee.
8. Use Arabica Coffee Beans for Storing Coffee Beans
When choosing the type of coffee beans, it's more about personal preferences. However, Arabica coffee beans tend to maintain their positive attributes like flavor and aroma better during storage compared to Robusta coffee. Both coffee types lose their desirable flavors over time, but Robusta beans degrade significantly faster. A 2013 study by Michaela T. L. Kreuml compared coffee bean quality in Arabica and Robusta during 9 months of storage. The study found that negative properties increased significantly in both types, but more than twice as much in Robusta beverages compared to Arabica, as shown in this table.
| Attribute | Freshly Roasted Arabica | 9 Months Arabica | 18 Months Arabica | Freshly Roasted Robusta | 9 Months Robusta | 18 Months Robusta |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Coffee | 8.13 | 7.10 | 5.50 | 7.47 | 6.22 | 4.60 |
| Brew-like | 7.78 | 6.50 | 4.25 | 5.17 | 2.82 | 2.10 |
| Roasty | 7.02 | 6.06 | 4.70 | 5.29 | 3.29 | 2.45 |
| Fruity/Aromatic | 7.27 | 6.50 | 4.30 | 1.73 | 1.29 | 1.10 |
| Burnt/Smoky | 1.48 | 2.00 | 4.50 | 6.53 | 7.22 | 8.20 |
| Woody | 0.78 | 2.16 | 3.20 | 5.40 | 7.15 | 7.73 |
| Earthy | 0.54 | 1.73 | 2.85 | 5.13 | 7.24 | 7.63 |
| Hay-like | 1.16 | 2.30 | 3.40 | 5.01 | 5.22 | 6.55 |
| Staleness | 0.00 | 1.81 | 4.18 | 0.13 | 6.46 | 7.35 |
| Rancid | 0.00 | 1.03 | 3.70 | 0.00 | 4.26 | 6.35 |
Consequently, Robusta beans can develop unpleasant "burnt" and "earthy" notes within a relatively short storage time
9. Grind Before Brewing to Store Coffee Beans
Grinding coffee beans right before brewing (only what you need) maximizes freshness and flavor. A 2023 study in the Czech Journal of Food Sciences found that ground coffee loses quality within days, deteriorating significantly after one week. Grinding on demand minimizes oxidation, preserving the coffee's aroma and taste. This also extends the shelf life of whole beans, keeping them fresh for weeks or even months, as seen in accelerated storage studies.
What Is the Best Way to Store Coffee Beans?
The National Coffee Association recommends storing coffee beans in a dark, cool location away from ovens, heaters, or windows to avoid temperature fluctuations. They advise that coffee's retail packaging is generally not ideal for long-term storage.
In contrast, Daniele Ricci, a 25-year-old Italian barista and finalist in the 2023 World Barista Championship, believes there's nothing wrong with keeping beans in their original packaging as long as you use them within seven days and store them in a cool, dark place. He recommends purchasing freshly roasted coffee beans in smaller quantities to ensure peak freshness. Additionally, for optimal espresso flavor and crema, he suggests to avoid refrigerator and use coffee beans within one week of opening the bag.
When Should You Store Coffee in the Fridge?
Whether or not to store coffee in the fridge is a debated topic. Experts like the National Coffee Association and Specialty Coffee Association generally advise against it, citing condensation, odor absorption, and flavor loss as risks. However, recent research from Poland (2023, Scientific Reports) suggests that for whole bean coffee, storing at very low temperatures (-10ºC or even 10ºC) might preserve quality better than room temperature (20ºC). Ultimately, the best choice depends on factors like your climate, how long you need to store the coffee, and whether it's whole beans or pre-ground.
- You should keep coffee in the fridge if you live in a very hot and humid climate. Storing coffee in the fridge can be a viable short-term solution to mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures and moisture. However, even in these conditions, it's crucial to use vacuum-sealed containers to minimize condensation and odor absorption.
- You should keep coffee in the fridge or freezer if you won't use it quickly or plan to store large quantities for an extended period. This helps slow down the degradation process that occurs naturally over time, preserving flavor and freshness for longer.
- You should not keep coffee in the fridge if you plan to consume your coffee within a week or two, as refrigeration risks condensation, impacting flavor, and potentially introducing off-flavors from other foods.
How To Store Coffee Beans in the Fridge
The following steps shows how to store coffee beans in the fridge.
- Transfer the coffee beans into a container after opening the original packaging.
- Divide your coffee into smaller, weekly batches. This way, you only expose a small amount of coffee to air at a time.
- Place the coffee container in a part of the fridge away from foods with strong odors to prevent the coffee from absorbing these smells.
- Prevent condensation from forming inside the container by letting it reach room temperature before opening it after taking it from the fridge.
- Minimize air exposure by quickly taking what you need each time you open the container.
- Wash and dry your container thoroughly before refilling to prevent rancid oils from affecting the taste of fresh coffee.
How Long Will Coffee Beans Last in an Airtight Container?
Coffee beans stored in an airtight container can maintain their freshness and quality for approximately four to six weeks, as shown in a 2023 study in the Czech Journal of Food Sciences. Storing beans at 10°C (50°F) and 50% relative humidity is optimal, and consuming them within 30 days post-roasting ensures peak flavor retention. However, to know how long coffee lasts, it's important to consider factors such as the roasting date, roast level, and grind level.
While storing coffee beans in the fridge is a complex and highly debated topic, storing brewed coffee in the fridge is common and recommended, especially for beverages like iced coffee, cold brew, cold brew concentrates, coffee liqueurs, and coffee-based cocktails.
How To Store Brewed Coffee in a Fridge?
To store brewed coffee short-term, let it cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container. This minimizes condensation and preserves flavor. Store in the refrigerator. While some flavor degradation is expected, it's a practical way to maintain freshness for a few days. Consume within one to two weeks for the best taste.
To store brewed coffee longer-term, consider freezing. Pour cooled coffee into airtight plastic containers or use ice cube trays (then transfer frozen cubes to a freezer bag) for convenient portioning. Research like the study by Mónica Pérez-Martínez et al. (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) suggests additives like sodium carbonate might extend the refrigerator shelf life of coffee, offering a potential alternative to freezing.
How To Store Cold Brew Coffee?
To store cold brew coffee, keep it refrigerated in a sealed container at around 4°C (39°F). Research suggests this method is effective for preserving quality and safety. A 2017 study by Mark A. Daeschel (Oregon State University) found cold brew can typically be safely stored for up to 14 days. Even longer storage periods might be possible, as a 2024 study by Samuel N. Lopane (Clemson University) indicates that refrigeration prevents microbial growth for up to 42 days.
How To Store Ground Coffee
To store ground coffee for optimal quality, consider temperature, duration, and packaging. Once opened, experts at Lavazza recommend an airtight container, vacuum-sealed container, or the original packaging in a cool, dry place for up to a month. For even better preservation, Paulo C. Corrêa (Universidade Federal de Viçosa) suggests storing grounds at 10ºC to maintain lower moisture content compared to 30ºC. For the absolute best freshness, use ground coffee within 30-60 days of roasting, as changes in moisture and flowability occur over time.
If you grind your own beans, remember that grind size impacts storage. Finer grinds are more hygroscopic due to increased surface area, leading to reduced flowability and potential challenges. Coarse grinds have better flowability because of fewer particles and decreased cohesion. To store freshly ground coffee, follow the same storage principles: airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
What Is the Ideal Way to Store Specialty Coffee Beans?
The ideal way to store specialty coffee is to buy it weekly in small 12oz bags. At Powerbean Coffee, we use 12 oz bags lined with a foil that acts as a barrier against light and oxygen, two elements that can cause coffee beans to deteriorate. The original packaging uses one-way valves that remove carbon dioxide while preserving freshness. At Powerbean Coffee, we prioritize freshness by roasting to order, packing, and shipping your specialty coffee beans within hours of your order.
How To Store Used Coffee Grounds
To store used coffee grounds, it's crucial to dry them thoroughly to prevent mold. Spread the grounds on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature (around 135°C) for several hours until completely dry. For added protection, store dried grounds in an airtight container with a silica packet to absorb any remaining moisture.
