Proper coffee storage can seem like a puzzle. Especially since coffee loses its properties faster than the various so-called expert tips we keep hearing would have us believe. This is mainly a problem with large packages, which are more economical and eco-friendly, but usually sit at home for several weeks, if not months.
Fortunately, you don't have to write off kilo bags. There's a magical place that will protect your coffee, and everyone has one at home.
Drumroll: The freezer!
How to Store Coffee in the Freezer
The process is simple:
- Open the package, shake it, and close it again 24 hours before you portion out the coffee. The beans need to degas.
- Then weigh out individual portions (in bags or containers) and put them in the freezer.
- It's important to watch the timing and actually get to portioning the day after opening the package. If your goal is to preserve the qualities of fresh coffee, there's no point doing this after a week – by then it will have already lost its quality.
- When you're ready for coffee, take out a portion and grind the beans immediately. Don't wait for them to thaw.
This way, your coffee will last longer at home while maintaining its qualities. The key to success is sticking to portioning and not taking shortcuts by putting the entire package in the freezer. Constantly moving the package back and forth could cause your coffee to absorb moisture, ruining its flavor. Once you take beans out of the freezer, don't put them back.
Can I Also Store Coffee Beans in the Fridge?
Short answer: no.
Storing beans in the fridge won't help anything – quite the opposite. As we mentioned, moisture is bad for coffee. The problem is that we open the fridge several times a day. With each opening, warm air gets inside, cools on the cold surface of food items, and moisture condenses from it.
Plus, coffee beans absorb odors, and you definitely don't want your specialty coffee smelling like cold cuts.