Coffee can be pretty expensive when you buy bags of it to brew in your home. That’s why storing your beans correctly helps your beans last longer as well as taste better – which is something every coffee drinker wants, right? We created this blog post to help you figure out the best methods for storing your whole coffee beans. 

Before We Start: Pre-Ground vs. Whole Coffee Beans

According to brewing experts, you want to buy whole coffee beans as opposed to pre-ground as it produces the best coffee. Dillon Edwards, a coffee shop owner in Brooklyn, New York describes that the beans themselves are the best vessel for protecting the quality of coffee. Once you break the beans with a grinder, the coffee oxidizes rapidly. This in turn means the quality can quickly decrease. This is why people enjoy freshly ground coffee when they drink their brews in the morning – it just has the best flavor. 

Does the Roast Date Matter?

For filter-brewed coffee, the closer to the roast date, the better. However, it’s important to note that coffee needs one or two days to rest after it’s roasted to let it sit and absorb the flavors that were activated during the roasting process. Treat it like you would a steak. Sure, you can eat the steak right off the skillet or grill, but it’s going to taste even better if you let it sit for a few minutes to let it marinate in its juices. Whole coffee beans work the same way!

So, What Should You Do to Store Whole Coffee Beans?

Your coffee beans’ worst enemy is air, moisture, heat, and light. So, to protect them and keep them as fresh as possible you need to store them efficiently. You should store them in an opaque, air-tight container at room temperature. Note that you should also avoid clear canisters which will allow light to compromise the taste of your coffee. 

You will also need to keep your beans in a dark, cool location. A cabinet near the oven will be too hot of a location, instead, maybe place your coffee in a pantry away from any heat source. 

If you can’t find a cool space for your coffee, you may consider buying your coffee in smaller batches. This may be a good idea if you don’t drink your coffee fast enough, but still want to experience its delicious flavors.

Can You Freeze Whole Coffee Beans?

While there are different perspectives on whether or not you should freeze or refrigerate coffee beans, you should consider that coffee absorbs moisture as well as odors and tastes. If you end up putting your coffee in the fridge or freezer it may pick up on those leftover aromas or even be exposed to possible frostbite.

If you choose to freeze your coffee, quickly remove as much as you need for no more than a week at a time, and return the rest to the freezer before any condensation forms on the frozen coffee.

No Time to Brew Fresh Coffee? Mokas Cafe Has Got You Covered

Not everyone has the time or patience to brew a fresh batch of coffee. But, you know who does? Mokas Cafe!

Mokas Cafe was founded in Salina, Kansas over 15 years ago. Since our opening, we strive to create a worthwhile experience for everyone who walks through our doors with friendly customer service and delicious food and brews. One way we do this is by offering our guests flavorful coffee and this starts with our coffee beans. Visit our locations page to find the nearest cafe to you!