To people who drink coffee not only because of the flavor but because of the ceremony, keeping a large amount of beans can seem like a treasure. It could be to save money, ensure a steady flavor, or simply to be ready when the café season gets busy, but purchasing beans in bulk is increasingly becoming the norm. However, once those fragrant beans come in large sacks, a different question presents itself: how do you store them so that they remain fresh and full-flavored as long as possible?
Contents
Understanding the Enemies of Freshness
The worst enemies of coffee are air, moisture, heat, and light. All of them gradually erode the taste and smell of the beans. When it is exposed to oxygen, it begins a process known as oxidation and slowly flattens the taste. Another enemy is moisture, which promotes mold and accelerates the loss of flavor oils within the beans. These processes are further accelerated by heat, and the degradation of important compounds by light, particularly sunlight, can change the taste of the coffee. All this makes it certain about one thing: even when kept in large quantities, coffee beans must be kept in safe elements.
Choosing the Right Storage Location
An ideal storage place is dry, cool, and dark. That is storing beans not near the oven, not on the windowsill, and not anywhere near the steam of the dishwasher. Basements could have the appropriate temperature, but may be too humid. Attics, however, may be dry, but in summer, too hot. Pantries or closets in the house, where the conditions are rather constant, are normally optimal.
The idea is to provide an environment in which the coffee will not be exposed to temperature fluctuations, moisture, and light. It does not have to be refrigerated or frozen, only constant.
Finding the Right Containers
In the case of containers, not every option is equivalent. Breathable packaging is common when buying large bags or boxes of beans, and although it is acceptable in the short term, it should not be used in the long term. In order to maintain freshness, it is important to transfer beans into airtight containers.
Tight-sealing lids are ideal in opaque containers. Glass jars could also be a good idea. However, unless those are stored in the dark, light exposure may be a problem. The plastic containers must be of food grade and without any residual odors, since coffee readily takes on the odors of its environment. Stainless steel is also a good option as it is long-lasting and light-blocking.
The Ideal Storage Routine
For those dealing with truly large quantities, like someone purchasing quality bulk green coffee beans 50 lbs at a time, the process needs to be even more deliberate. Green beans last much longer than roasted ones, but they still need protection from moisture and extreme conditions. Storing them in breathable sacks inside a humidity-controlled room can preserve their integrity for months or even years. When it’s time to roast, only the amount needed should be removed.
Roasted beans, on the other hand, are more sensitive. Once roasted, their peak freshness lasts for just a few weeks. If a large batch has been roasted already, it’s wise to treat it like a perishable ingredient. A system should be in place: label containers with roast dates, rotate older beans to the front and use them before opening newer ones.
Avoiding Common Storage Mistakes
Refrigerating coffee beans is a common mistake. The fridge may seem cool and dry, but it’s filled with odors from food items that coffee can easily absorb. Worse, the repeated opening and closing of the fridge introduces temperature swings that cause condensation inside containers.
Freezing is sometimes used as a long-term solution, but it’s only helpful if done correctly. Beans must be sealed in completely airtight, moisture-proof containers and should never be returned to the freezer once opened.
Conclusion
When it comes to storing coffee beans in large quantities, there is a little more to it than just throwing a bag in a cupboard. But to anyone serious about taste, either operating a café or just wanting to brew the perfect cup at home, it is a labor of love. Keeping beans out of the air, light, moisture, and heat will be a big step towards keeping their soul alive.
Proper containers, proper storage area, and a modicum of regularity will make huge amounts of coffee as delicious on the day after roasting as it was the day before roasting.