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To know everything about coffee beans, you need to know the secrets of their manufacture, how to choose them, how to prepare them, but also how to store them properly. If we neglect this last aspect, we simply risk ending up with a coffee that has lost its aromas or that has seen its flavors quenched.
The benefits of well-stored coffee, recommended storage times, optimal conditions for coffee that stays tasty longer: here are some practical tips and tricks for all coffee bean lovers.
Like many other foodstuffs, coffee beans can be consumed even after the recommended expiration date (the famous "best before" date). If you leave a packet of coffee in an environment that is a little too humid or too hot, the main disadvantage is that its flavours and aromas will deteriorate, but the risk of intoxication is almost zero. However, it would be a pity to spoil a good espresso or a long coffee because the beans have not been stored in good conditions.
But why does coffee bean end up losing its taste and smell if it is not stored properly? It is mainly due to the ambient air, and more specifically to oxygen, which creates an oxidation of the beans. Humidity is the second factor of degradation of coffee, and when it is combined with heat, the risk of mold is even higher. Finally, light alters the structure of the beans and their flavors.
If the best before date has passed, chances are that the coffee is not as good as when it was purchased. This is the first indicator to consider.
When in doubt, it is advisable to smell the coffee: if an unpleasant odor is detected, or if the original smell has become almost imperceptible, it is likely that the next cup of coffee will not taste very good. As you drink the coffee, you may also notice that it has been oxidized or altered in some other way. The taste is more sour or, on the contrary, almost insignificant.
As mentioned, this type of flavor alteration does not present serious risks. Nevertheless, this does not prevent us from taking some precautions, especially when we know that the grains have not been stored in an ideal place for a period of several weeks or months. It is then wise to check that there are no traces of mould and that lumps have not formed.
Most coffees sold in beans have an optimal shelf life of 1 to 2 months, although the expiration date can sometimes be more than a year for a package that has not been opened. But the ideal is to consume it within 15 days of opening, to enjoy all the quality of its aromas and freshness.
In addition to these recommendations, it is wise to rely on the information on the packaging of the beans, as you would for ground coffee. Depending on the type of coffee, the manufacturing process (roasted or not, for example), the packaging, etc., the manufacturer proposes a recommended consumption limit and sometimes advice for the preservation of the beans.
Note that green coffee beans, which have not gone through the roasting process, can be kept for up to 2 years without losing their properties.
To guarantee the long-lasting freshness of the grains, the storage place is a very important criterion. It is therefore necessary to place them in the right place to preserve them.
Some will say that the cold is an ally of choice to keep all types of food longer, including coffee beans. The fridge and the freezer are then recommended to keep the product for several months. In reality, this is a bad idea, even if the cold can slow down oxidation. Indeed, a cool or negative temperature tends to modify the taste of the coffee, and a refrigerator or a freezer has a harmful humidity level for the beans. There is also a risk that the coffee will become soaked with the odors present in the machine (this is why with grandma's tricks to eliminate bad smells, we sometimes recommend placing a cup of ground coffee in the fridge). It is certain that no one wants to drink a cup of coffee that has taken on the aroma of camembert or a prepared dish.
However, in hot weather, you can leave the coffee beans in the fridge for a while, especially if it is a ventilated air model, without humidity. It is then important to place it in an airtight bag or container, so that it is not polluted by odors.
As previously mentioned, coffee beans do not like oxygen, humidity, light or large temperature variations. That's why we sometimes read on the packages that they should be stored in a "cool, dry and dark place". Kitchen cupboards are a good option for storing coffee, as long as they are not in close proximity to a heat source, such as the oven. If the product is stored in an opaque box, it can also be placed on the work surface or a shelf, as long as the sun does not shine directly on this space.
Coffee roasters and marketers offer containers that are designed to preserve the aroma and flavor of their products. It is therefore possible to keep the beans in their original packaging if it is of good quality. However, it is important to close the container after each use to prevent air from oxidizing it.
It is also possible to buy a can specially designed to preserve coffee: it must be 100% airtight and opaque. Glass containers are aesthetically pleasing, but they do not prevent light from passing through and therefore do not offer optimal preservation.
The most efficient solution is undoubtedly the vacuum coffee canner. Thanks to a suction system inside the container (often a button to press), you can eliminate all the air present and thus considerably slow down the oxidation. Of course, this operation must be repeated after each opening, otherwise the desired effect will not be achieved.
One last piece of advice: for occasional coffee drinkers, it is better to buy packets in small quantities (between 100 and 250 grams, for example). This avoids waste and allows you to enjoy the freshness of a good roasted coffee bean.
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