To brew really good coffee, you need not only to choose high-quality beans and skillfully roast them, but also to know how and in what to properly store beans and ground coffee at home.
Storage can be short-term or long-term. It is not always possible to quickly find your favorite variety, and even more difficult, to find the required roasting grains. Often you have to buy beans in reserve, and then proper long-term storage will protect you from the disappointment of lost taste.
And if there are no special requirements for the variety, then you need to know how best to store coffee at home for a short time.
General storage rules
Coffee is significantly affected by:
- Light - any varieties do not tolerate direct sunlight and bright light, under the influence of which the taste deteriorates. Grains must be stored in a dark place;
- Heat - under the influence of high temperature, coffee oil evaporates and caffeine is destroyed. Therefore, it is better to store any varieties in a cool place, away from the gas stove and heating system;
- Humidity – grains have a high ability to absorb moisture, so the storage place should not be near its sources;
- Environment – coffee must be completely isolated and stored in tightly sealed containers.
Coffee gradually loses its taste and aroma, so it is better to purchase it in small portions.
How to understand that you have a quality product
Modern coffee producers take great care of their product, extending its freshness in every possible way. Among the innovations, we developed a package with a multifunctional valve: it allows you to feel the aroma of the coffee blend even before opening the pack, but most importantly, it prevents the beans or powder from getting damp. In this case, the valve operates in one direction, so the raw material does not oxidize and does not exhale in air.
Previously, foil bags with a sealed closure, as well as regular envelope packs, were used to package coffee. They don't sell good coffee in thick paper. Sometimes you can find coffee in glass or tin cans - the product is also packaged inside. It is not recommended to keep coffee in metal.
To purchase a good pack, you need to pay attention to its appearance:
- It shouldn't be too swollen.
- The product inside should be homogeneous, if we are talking about ground coffee - slightly soft, like wet sand, not too loose, but in no case hard.
- A good manufacturer indicates quality marks on the outer packaging - international certificates, distinctions and product composition (required). The secret of the blend is rarely revealed, but on the packaging they must write the origin (country and region) of the beans, as well as the type of coffee - Arabica or Robusta, perhaps their percentage in the mixture.
- The best quality is undoubtedly coffee that is packaged in the places where it is grown. Nevertheless, coffee preparation today has become a deeply professional industry, which is why many European producers are distinguished by their impeccable approach to work.
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Improper storage
In places unsuitable for preservation, the smell gradually disappears, and the drink acquires a musty taste when brewed.
Over time, grains can acquire a denser structure, chemical processes begin that significantly affect the taste, it becomes unpleasant and sour.
Coffee is highly hygroscopic, so if stored improperly, it intensively absorbs moisture, becomes moldy and decomposes.
Coffee beans instantly absorb various odors, so storing them nearby with citrus fruits, various seasonings and substances that have a pronounced odor makes the prepared drink completely unsuitable.
The impact of expired coffee on human health
If the coffee is over-stayed, first of all, it loses its flavor and aromatic properties and acquires some earthy, rancid, unpleasant aroma. At the same time, experts say that the beans themselves do not have a harmful effect on the body. The only unpleasant symptoms may be heartburn or mild diarrhea.
Coffee that has not been stored properly can be dangerous, especially when it comes to ground coffee or green beans. If there is condensation in the package or foreign moisture has accumulated in the product, there is a high probability of bacteria and fungi breeding; it is best to throw away such coffee without regret.
If the product was unsealed, it could collect dust and harmful impurities, especially if wet coffee was stored in a metal container.
The same applies to brewed coffee that has stood for several hours - it could have time to ferment, even if no sweetener was added to the cup, due to the natural acids and sugars in the product.
If your brewed coffee has an unpleasant aftertaste, you should consider what could be causing it: the utensils, the preparation method, or improper storage. In the latter case, the raw materials need to be sorted or disposed of.
This is interesting:
There is no need to throw away expired coffee. Whole beautiful grains can be used for decorative purposes, for photography, and also as an external sorbent.
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How to properly store ground coffee
After grinding, the beans quickly lose their freshness, taste and aromatic properties, and absorb various odors. Therefore, it is best to grind them into one serving. In stores, ground coffee is usually sold in a pressed state, in special vacuum packaging, where it is usually kept at home.
It is better to store ground coffee at home in a tightly closed container, away from light sources, moisture and heat. And also at room temperature. In summer, in extreme heat, you can place it on the refrigerator shelf. In powder form, ground coffee absorbs moisture and strong odors faster, so you need to make sure that the bag does not remain unsealed.
In vacuum factory packaging, the powder can be kept for up to a year. Ground coffee, poured after unpacking into a closed container - a week. It is necessary to take the powder with a dry spoon and seal it tightly to reduce contact with the external environment. And in a printed package, the grinding will last no more than a day without losing its properties.
Tips for choosing in a store
A tasty and aromatic drink is obtained from high-quality coffee. It is desirable that it be in grains.
Green beans can be stored for almost 5 years, but after roasting their shelf life is reduced to 3 weeks.
How to choose bean coffee
- The packaging must have a special gas valve. This means that the coffee beans were packaged immediately after roasting, and they did not lose their quality.
- The roasting date must coincide with the packaging date and not exceed two months.
- The packaging must not be damaged.
When purchasing, find out what variety is in the pack: Arabica, Robusta. These are two different varieties, differing in shape, taste, and price. When the Arabica variety is packed in a package, then . If a mixture of two varieties - the percentage of varieties. Other information is from the evil one.
How to choose ground coffee
The question of where to store ground coffee has already been considered. It’s worth figuring out how to choose this product in the store.
- When buying ground mixture in vacuum packaging, pay attention to the package. It should be dense, as if compressed. A soft bag indicates depressurization.
- When looking at the packaging, look for information about grinding and roasting. Coarsely ground coffee is prepared in Turks. After preparing it, you need to infuse it to make the drink richer. Finely ground powder is used to prepare the drink in coffee machines. Medium-ground coffee is optimal, from which the drink is brewed both in a Turk and in a coffee machine.
- Roasting ground beans is a matter of taste. Everyone chooses for themselves.
- The type of coffee also matters, as the taste and aroma of the drink depends on it. Variety information should be clear, not vague.
How to properly store roasted and green coffee beans
Unroasted grains are better suited for long-term storage. They are much cheaper than fried ones, and if they are left unopened in vacuum packaging, they will last up to three to five years at home.
If the coffee is used faster than a month, then you can keep it in the kitchen, in a cabinet in an airtight package. It is important to place it away from spices, the stove and drafts.
Storing coffee on an open shelf in the refrigerator is undesirable for a number of reasons:
- Constantly opening the door creates temperature changes and condensation forms on the grains, which contributes to rapid spoilage of the product;
- In the refrigerator there is ready-made food with a variety of aromas, which are instantly absorbed by the coffee beans;
- A bright electric light that turns on when the door is opened also affects the coffee beans.
The grains are best preserved in the freezer. The main thing is not to pull them out of there as a whole package. To properly store grain, you need to portion it out in portions, seal it tightly, and take out only the required amount. Once the bag is taken out of the freezer, it cannot be put back.
Before preparation - frozen beans cannot be quickly reheated; you must take out the coffee in advance and leave it at room temperature for several hours.
Roasted beans have a much shorter shelf life than green beans. Vacuum unopened packaging preserves the taste and aroma of coffee beans for two to three months. After unsealing or damaging the container, beans are recommended to be used within fifteen days. Some gourmets believe that it is better to reduce this period to ten days.
Coffee beans will not deteriorate after this period, they are quite suitable for brewing coffee, it will retain all its invigorating properties. After 10-15 days, the roasted beans will gradually begin to reduce their taste and aroma, so it is better to use them quickly.
Suitable conditions and terms
The optimal conditions and shelf life of coffee beans depend on their type, country of origin and method of roasting the product.
| Type of coffee | Package | 0º- — 20º | +13º — + 16º | +20º — + 35º |
| Grain | Closed | 1.5 years | 1 year | 6 months |
| Open | 2 months | 10 days | 24 hours | |
| Ground | Closed | 2-3 years | 6 months – 1.5 years | 4-6 months |
| Open | 3-4 weeks | 10-14 days | 5 days | |
| Soluble | Closed | 5 years | 3 years | 1-1.5 years |
| Open | 1 year | 4-6 months | 10-11 months |
More recently, a new type of product has appeared - capsules for brewing an aromatic drink. Capsules for making coffee are not allowed to be stored for more than 12 months; after this period they are considered unfit for consumption.
When kept in the wrong conditions, the beans oxidize and aromatic compounds evaporate, causing the invigorating drink to lose its odor. They absorb moisture, mold or a thin film appears on their surface, which smells sharp and unpleasant.
How to properly store instant coffee
Any type of instant drink, even the most expensive and high-quality, is a quickly perishable product. If stored improperly, it instantly loses its taste and characteristic aroma.
It is better to buy coffee in small jars with a tightly sealed lid. Do not allow large quantities of powder to accumulate. And if you managed to buy or gave a large quantity at once, then it is better to immediately pour it into several small jars with tight lids.
Store instant coffee at home, preferably in its original packaging, adhering to the established time limits, depending on the date on the package. Usually this is two years. If the container is damaged, it should be replaced immediately.
Do not leave the powder in a bright place. It is better to keep instant coffee in opaque packaging in a dark cabinet, away from heat sources, and take it out only to brew the drink, then put it away immediately.
There should be no strong-smelling products, spices or substances near the storage area. The coffee will quickly absorb all the flavors and become undrinkable.
The powder should not be stored in the refrigerator. Instant coffee is more hygroscopic than grain coffee; it instantly becomes damp and compresses.
Which form do you prefer?
Jars for storing coffee, tea and sugar are often sold in one set. They are cylindrical, square, and curly in shape. Coffee beans can be stored in almost any container; they do not stick to the walls and easily spill out without getting stuck in the recesses. Square containers do not take up much space; they can be placed several at a time.
For ground and instant coffee, round jars , since during storage the powder gets clogged into the corners. Leftovers should always be removed so that the stale product does not spoil the taste and aroma of just roasted beans.
The volume of the container depends on the type and norms of coffee consumption. For grain, you can buy a larger jar - with a capacity of a liter and a half. For ground, you need a small jar that can hold 100-150 g of powder.
As for the neck, it is more convenient when it is wide . Don’t forget that you will need to not only scoop the coffee with a spoon, but also pour it inside somehow.
On sale there are containers for sugar, tea and coffee on a stand with one lid. It's better not to buy this one. Coffee should be isolated from other products. In addition, sugar tends to absorb moisture. Such a neighborhood is extremely undesirable.
Coffee storage containers
To preserve the original taste and aroma for a long time, you need to choose the right packaging.
- Unsealed packaging – plastic bag or cardboard container. The grains can remain in this form for no more than two weeks without much damage.
- Hermetically sealed paper packaging allows the properties of grains and ground powder to be well preserved for more than six months.
- Roasted beans can be kept in foil bags in a dark, dry place.
- Thermal bags with a gas vent valve are one of the best solutions for storing ground coffee and beans at home. The valve creates a vacuum space and prevents the roasted beans from spoiling for a long time.
- Glass or ceramic vessels with tight lids protect any variety well from absorbing odors and moisture. Transparent jars do not protect against light penetration, so only opaque containers should be used. Any cans will not be able to protect coffee from exposure to air; under the influence of oxygen, oxidative processes will continue.
- It is not recommended to store coffee in metal, tin cans or plastic containers for a long time. Such dishes are not airtight and ground coffee or grains will absorb the odors of other products. And they themselves may acquire the smell of tin, metal or plastic.
- Ceramic containers are the best way to store ground and coffee beans. You just need to choose a container with an airtight lid and tight rubber clamps on the sides.
- Wooden products are very beautiful decorative ornaments, but you should not keep coffee in them all the time. Wooden boxes will not protect coffee from penetration of air, moisture and foreign odors. Therefore, their shelf life is no more than a week.
How long does capsule coffee last?
Nowadays, capsule coffee is being used more and more often, so the question becomes relevant: how long can coffee be stored in capsules? Since the capsule product is always sealed, the shelf life is extended to two years. The timing depends on compliance with all required storage conditions, as well as on the manufacturers themselves.
It happens that suddenly there are several coffee capsules in the kitchen cabinet. Throwing away expensive capsules is not an option, but is it possible to use an expired product?
It has not been scientifically proven that expired capsules can cause harm to health. But you should be prepared for the fact that the drink will not be as aromatic, and the caffeine content in it will be lower than in the fresh product.
conclusions
- To prevent coffee from expiring, try to buy it for 1-2 weeks so that the taste and aroma remain at their peak when consumed. You should not stock up unnecessarily.
- The best way to preserve the freshness of coffee is in foil bags with a degassing valve and a ziploc seal. A slightly less successful option is ceramic and opaque glass jars. Tin and plastic containers are best avoided.
- The optimal conditions for storing the coffee you drink every day are room temperature, in a place protected from moisture, heat and light. A kitchen cabinet is the best option.
- Never store coffee in the refrigerator! Dot.
- Store coffee purchased for future use in the freezer, strictly following the rules described above. If you plan to gradually consume your supply, divide the coffee into portions, package and store them separately. The extracted portions should subsequently be stored only at room temperature.
What do we offer
Here you can purchase freshly roasted coffee beans for every taste and varying degrees of roasting! In our store you can buy more than 40 varieties of coffee:
- 100% Arabica or Robusta,
- a mixture of Arabica and Robusta in different proportions,
- Arabica blends from different countries;
- decaffeinated, etc.
We never roast coffee for future use, always only fresh roasting is our rule! We can also grind beans according to customer preference. For better coffee storage and ease of opening/closing, the packaging with a degassing valve is equipped with a zip-lock. We offer reasonable prices, a flexible system of discounts, special offers, and the possibility of free delivery in Moscow and St. Petersburg for orders over 2,000 rubles. and etc.
