How to Store Coffee?

How to store your roasted coffee, Coffee Storage Basics

You just finished brewing the first pot of your latest Encore Coffee Club coffee; how do you properly store the fresh coffee? In the bag? Cabinet? Or step into the freezer? These questions and more will be answered in our latest blog. We will share how to store your coffee to ensure you consistently brew delicious coffee at home.

Like most culinary products, the coffee loses freshness once picked from the plant. And once we roast it, sadly, yes, the inevitable will happen; it will die. No longer will it have those fresh flavor notes – the fruity, maybe bright, bold flavors will be gone. The good news is there are easy ways to help slow down this process.

KEY: Store in a SEALED bag until first use

We know it’s tempting to rip open that Encore Coffee Club coffee, but try not to until you’re ready to brew the first cup. We package our freshly roasted coffee in special bags to keep it fresh. So, the primary key to proper coffee storage is to keep it in an unopened bag until you are ready to use it for the first time.

So, you resisted for 30 seconds before ripping open the coffee and brewing your first cup. Now what? Do you roll up the bag and throw it in the cupboard? Storing in the bag is OK if you use the coffee quickly, but not if it’s open for a week or two. Oxygen is the enemy of fresh coffee, so storing opened coffee in an airtight container is always best.

KEY: Store coffee DRY & AIRTIGHT

Storage containers can be as simple as a mason jar, but we prefer airtight food storage containers. Our preference is the Planetary Designs Airscape food storage container. You place the coffee beans into the container and slide their unique plunger, which forces the air out of the container. Top it off with a beautiful decorative lid, and you are set. What next? Where do I put this container? In the cabinet? Refrigerators? Freezer

KEY: Store coffee at ROOM TEMPERATURE

This part is easy – store that coffee container on your counter or out of sight in a cabinet.  The refrigerators are best for fruits & veggies, BUT NOT COFFEE.  Besides oxygen, the second killer of coffee is moisture.  When you take your coffee in and out of the refrigerator, condensation will form on the beans and quickly degrade the coffee quality.

Uncle Ebenezer knows it’s going to be cold cold cold in that freezer – but should you store your coffee in the freezer?  NO… well, in general, NO!  Like the refrigerator, taking coffee in and out of the freezer will cause condensation on the beans.  So, we do not recommend storing it in the freezer for everyday use. There is one exception to his rule: long-term freezing may help maintain freshness if you are storing coffee. However, the coffee needs to be vacuum-packed and frozen right after roasting.  In cases where you buy in bulk, this is a way to take a portion and freeze it for later consumption. But once you have ‘thawed’ the coffee and opened the package, follow our above guidelines for fresh coffee storage.

You now have the basics of coffee storage.  For the best cup of coffee at home, it is best to buy only the amount you will use within a few weeks. Once open, store in an airtight container at room temperature.