How To Store Coffee Beans

With the price tag that comes with coffee beans nowadays, it isn't enough that you just place them in a jar and put them on the itchen table. With the kind of money that you pay for a gourmet coffee granule, it is essential that you learn how to store coffee beans.

But what is the right way to properly store your coffee beans?

Some say that you can freeze them or refrigerate them to prolong life. Others recommend that you place the coffee beans in packets or jars and to seal them as tightly as possible. Others offer different advice of how to store coffee beans. One way for whole bean coffee and a different way for ground coffee beans.  So what is the best way to store coffee beans and does the storage method matter?
 
Green beans

As a general rule, green coffee beans have the best shelf life and they are very easy to store. All you have to do is to just put them inside a tightly-sealed jar and keep them in a location that is cool and dry. When you properly store your coffee it will last for more than a year.

There are however few people who use green beans perhaps because it is too much work to prepare them. You have to grind and roast them first before you can actually be able to drink the coffee. This isn't good with people who are used to instant mixes.
 
Shelf Life of Roasted Coffee

The shelf life of a roasted whole bean is much better than those that aren't roasted.  It is however important that it is kept in standard room temperature and be sealed in an air-tight containers or canister. As much as possible, use glass canisters and avoid plastic ones as the flavor may be compromised in some way by the plastic material.

Remember though to use dark-colored glass as these beans shouldn't be exposed to light in any way. Metal containers are also a no-no. Another good alternative are ceramic ones.

Every two to three days, open the canister to release the gas that is produced by the roasted beans. One alternative to eliminate the problem of gas is to use valve bags, which allow the carbon dioxide to escape. One disadvantage though is that these bags can be very expensive and quite rare. 

If however your whole bean coffee isn't consumed in two weeks, then best way to store coffee beans is in the freezer. Stored like this, the coffee beans can last for a month or two. Just wrap the beans with a plastic wrap. If you need to use the beans, just grind them frozen. Once thawed, you can't use them again.