Coffee Storage Options
How to store coffee at home and keep it fresh
In this article we will talk about the best ways to store coffee at home to enjoy an unspoiled, full of aroma home brew. We will also answer frequently asked questions about coffee storage types as well as for how long you can keep coffee for once opened.
What is the best way to store coffee? Which method of storing coffee is the best to keep it fresh?
To keep your coffee fresh, you want to protect it from the sunlight, high temperatures and air. So the best way to store coffee is in a cool, dark place and in an airtight container. But the best way for you to store coffee will also depend on how long you need to store it for and the type of storage you have access to.
Coffee Storage Tips
Ways of storing and keeping your coffee fresh at home
Amongst the most useful coffee accessories you need at home are storage containers for your beans or ground coffee.
The most popular coffee storage options include:
- The original packaging
- Glass jars
- Vacuum containers
- Airtight containers
- Airscape containers
- Metal tins
- Ceramic containers
- Plastic containers
- Fridge
- Freezer
Which of them are the best and which aren’t so good?
How to store coffee at home
Storage containers
First, let’s look into whether you actually need a storage container for coffee.
The original packaging
Should I use a storage container or leave coffee in the bag? Can I store coffee in the packaging in which I bought it? These are the questions people often ask, so we give answers.
Yes, it’s actually a great way to store coffee at home! It’s the easiest way and there is nothing wrong with it as long as you put it in a cool, dry and dark place (but not in the fridge). It’s worth mentioning that this way of storing coffee is suitable only for short periods of time, if you replace your coffee supply every other week or so. But if you need to store coffee for longer, then you will need more than that.
Glass jars
Is a clear glass jar good for coffee storage?
A clear white jar may not be the best container to store coffee, especially if sunlight has access to it. Although often beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing, glass jars are almost always transparent, that’s why they aren’t ideal to store the coffee on your counter.
If you use a glass container or jar, keep it in a dark place and if it’s not airtight, don’t put a lid on it, so any gasses released from the beans can escape. This way your coffee will maintain a better aroma and freshness.
Vacuum containers
Should coffee be stored in a vacuum container?
It depends. Vacuum-sealed bags or containers are great for storing coffee in a freezer, but not so good if you keep your coffee in a cupboard. It’s because coffee stored at room temperature releases carbon dioxide. Unless your vacuum container has a one-way release valve, the vacuum won’t work.
Airtight containers
The most important feature of airtight containers is that the lid fits so tightly that no air can get in or out of the container. Airtight containers are an excellent option to store coffee in the cupboard or elsewhere at room temperature.
Airscape containers
The way they work is that they push the air out of the container, which is a great benefit. Airscape containers help to maintain the original coffee aroma for longer.
Metal tins
Should you keep coffee in a tin?
Yes, metal tins are a good solution to store coffee at home. They also come in an endless variety of designs and colors to match your interior. Metal coffee tins aren’t transparent and if you can find airtight metal tins, they are perfect to decorate your counter and preserve the coffee qualities at the same time.
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Ceramic containers
These types of coffee storage containers are a good storage option as well. Their great advantages are that they block out the light and can be a beautiful decoration on your kitchen counter. If you go for a ceramic container to store your coffee, try to find one with a rubber seal and metal latch to keep the lid closed airtight.
Plastic containers
Is it okay to store coffee in a plastic container?
It depends if the container is transparent and where you keep the container. Similarly to glass jars, if a plastic container is transparent, it’s not the best coffee storage to keep outside of the cupboard. Also, if it’s not airtight it won’t preserve the best qualities of your coffee. Another thing to remember is that any plastic food storage is not ideal because microplastics are released into the food, so it’s not the healthiest way to store your coffee. However, it is a convenient and usually inexpensive type of storage box, so there might be reasons why you chose this type of coffee storage.
Now, let’s look at the best place to store coffee.
Where to store coffee at home
We’ve looked into the different types of containers, now let’s look into where best to keep them. One of the often discussed controversies about coffee storage is whether it’s a good idea to keep coffee in the fridge or not.
Fridge
Should I store coffee in the fridge?
Well, not really. If you store coffee in the fridge , there is a risk that the coffee catches food aromas and for this reason it’s not the best place to keep it (if not the worst!). However, if you do decide to keep your coffee in the fridge (e.g. because of the cool temperature), always keep it in a sealed bag, so it doesn’t catch all sorts of smells from other foods in the fridge.
Freezer
How to store coffee in freezer
Is the freezer a good place to store coffee?
Similarly to the fridge, coffee when stored in a freezer can retain aromas of other foods stored in there. But there are benefits of keeping coffee in the freezer: in low temperatures oils contained in the coffee beans won’t go off and the decay of the organic matter is slowed down. So if you store your coffee in the freezer, always use a sealed bag or container.
Pantry
Your home pantry or cupboard is an excellent place for your coffee storage. It should be dry, dark and cool. If it is, you don’t need to worry much about the container in which to put your coffee beans or ground coffee.
Kitchen counter
Although coffee storage boxes may look aesthetically pleasing in your kitchen, unfortunately the shelves or kitchen counter aren’t the best place for your coffee. The main reason is the light, which you should protect your coffee from.
FAQs about storing coffee
For how long can you store coffee beans in the freezer?
You can store whole coffee beans in the freezer for up to a month in a vacuum bag without losing much of their quality.
How long is ground coffee good for?
It depends whether it’s ground coffee or whole beans. Ground coffee loses its freshness after a week, whereas whole beans can be stored for about a month. Coffee loses its qualities mainly due to the oxidation process. As coffee grounds have more total surface for the air to access the coffee, the oxidation process is accelerated.
Summary
We’ve explained various ways in which you can store coffee at home with their advantages and disadvantages. What may be surprising, you can store coffee in the original packaging in which it came. The best way to go about coffee storage is to avoid clear containers, hot and humid places and to minimize air access. Some of the best options are vacuum containers – for storing coffee in the freezer and airtight containers if you keep your coffee at room temperature. Airtight ceramic or metal coffee containers are also a good way to store your coffee.
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