subject: The Fundamental Ways of Storing Coffee [print this page] The Fundamental Ways of Storing Coffee The Fundamental Ways of Storing Coffee
The proper storage of coffee is something that every coffee lover needs to consider. It's real tough to brew a fine cup of joe from beans that haven't been stored carefully. Here are a few professional coffee storing ideas.
If life was perfect, you could grind your beans instantly prior to brewing your cup of coffee.Unfortunately for most of us, this is simply just not possible. Despite that, grinding your own beans is something that you should try to do whenever possible. That's the minimum requirement for a good cup of coffee.
Whole coffee beans maintain their freshness far longer than ground coffee, according to coffeeresearch.org. Once ground, the volatile oils in the beans are exposed and quickly begin to oxidize.
Avoid exposing roasted beans to moisture, oxygen and outside odors, is the advice of the Canadian Coffee Association. To ensure maximum freshness, only purchase what you can feasibly consume with a week to ten days after opening.
Transfer your beans to a proper storage container after opening the package. Placing the beans in a glass airtight container and storing it in a cool dry place, will help the beans to retain their flavor. Minimizing the empty space at the top of the container will help reduce the exposure to oxygen.
It would be preferable if you vacuum packed the roasted beans at home. It only takes about three weeks after roasting, before whole beans start losing their freshness. By reducing the chance of oxidization, vacuum packaging prolongs whole bean coffee's purity.
Freezing or refrigerating the coffee that you consume daily is not advisable, according to the National Coffee Association. Moisture can enter the beans in these situations, causing rapid deterioration. They suggest storing your beans in an airtight glass or ceramic container, and keeping it in a convenient, but dark and cool place. Keep it away from the stove and off the counter. Realize that packaging designed for store bought beans isn't suitable for longer term storage.
Roasted coffee begins to quickly lose its freshness. The loss begins almost as soon as roasting is finished, according to the National Coffee Association. It's preferable if you buy your coffee according to how fast you use the beans. Buy freshly roasted beans often, and buy just enough to last for one or two weeks. Divide your purchase into smaller portions and keep the larger unused one in an airtight container.
Roasted beans can be stored for up to a month in the freezer.That means you can take advantage and buy in bulk, when they're on sale. It's important to wrap the small portions in airtight bags. Once a bag has been removed from the freezer, do not return it. In its place, store the beans in a cool dry place, in an airtight container.
The average coffee lover can keep things real simple, and still have a great brew. Just buy enough beans for the next week, or two. Store them in a sealed container, in a cool and dry spot. Grind the beans immediately prior to brewing, and enjoy your coffee.
