Coffee, which begins to lose freshness as soon as it’s roasted, tastes best if brewed within days of roasting. The freshness of whole bean coffee is adversely affected by exposure to oxygen, heat, moisture, and light. Here’s a guide to coffee bean storage to ensure you brew the perfect cup of coffee every time.

How to Keep Whole Bean Coffee Fresh

1. Location

Store coffee beans in an airtight container in a dry, dark, and cool place—inside a pantry or cabinet is ideal, not near a stove or dishwasher.

Coffee, like bread, is hygroscopic. It absorbs flavors and humidity from the air around it. Because refrigerators and freezers produce moisture, they shouldn’t be used for storage.  In fact, refrigerating or freezing coffee can even break down the cell structure of the beans.  Think about what happens to fruit when it is frozen and then thawed – it gets mushy.

Bottom line, NEVER store roasted coffee beans in a refrigerator or freezer. 

2. Containers

The right container is necessary for keeping beans fresh. Beans oxidize and produce carbon dioxide as they sit, releasing oils and gasses. Some beans are packaged in foil with valves to allow carbon dioxide to escape. If your beans arrive in paper or plastic, transfer them to an opaque, airtight canister (mason jars with screw on lids are perfect!). Wash canisters regularly to eliminate oily residue.

3. Frequency of Purchase

Limiting the need to store coffee guarantees freshness. Try to order or purchase only what you consume weekly. Whole bean coffee stays fresh for two weeks in an airtight container. To wake up to the freshest brewed coffee available, purchase fresh-roasted whole coffee beans every few weeks. Remember, roasted coffee in a grocery store or even a coffee shop may have been sitting on the shelf for weeks, or even months.  Beware of roasted coffee beans that provide a “best used by” date versus a “Fresh Roasted” date.  

If you’re looking for flavor-rich whole bean coffee, turn to U-Roast-Em in Solon Springs, WI. They supply specialty-grade Arabica green and “Fresh Roast To Order” coffee beans from around the world, including Colombia, India, Ethiopia, and Brazil, to customers nationwide. They offer green coffee beans in one- to 25-pound bags and roasted coffee in 12oz bags so you always get the right amount you need for your home or business. Call (715) 378-2448 to place an order, or visit them online to review their inventory and shop. You’ll get free shipping on orders over $50, and an additional 5% discount on purchases above $200.