I’m Tim, a coffee expert. I enjoy several coffee and espresso beverages every day that I brew myself.
I know that storing coffee beans the right way is critical, so I made this guide to teach you the best practices.
This is what we will go over:
So, keep reading to learn the simple tips and tricks for storing your coffee beans.
Key Takeaways
- Store your coffee beans in a cool, dark, and dry location, like your pantry or cupboard.
- A temperature of 60-70ºF and humidity of 45-50% is ideal for maintaining the freshness of your coffee beans.
- Place your opened coffee beans in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container to make them last longer.
- You can also put opened beans (in a container) in your fridge or freshness to extend their freshness even longer.
How to Store Coffee Beans Long Term
You should store coffee beans in a dark and cool location in your home to keep them as fresh as possible.
And while this is important whether or not you’ve opened your bag of beans, there are a few nuances to storing unopened and opened coffee beans.
Unopened Bag
If you are storing your beans in an unopened bag, keeping them in a dark, cool place is the best way to do it. A cabinet, pantry, or drawer in your kitchen are good options– just ensure they are away from your dishwasher, stove/oven, and other heat sources.
Make sure that the area you choose is not exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, consider placing the entire bag inside a sealed container or airtight bag to maintain its freshness. Also, keep the bag away from any strong odors, as coffee beans absorb them easily. For example, don’t put them next to onions in your pantry.
Unopened coffee beans typically last for one year before they lose some flavor and strength. However, you can still use them to brew coffee without any ill effects (it just won’t taste as good).
Opened Bag
Once you have opened a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans, storing them in an airtight container or resealable bag is important. This will help prevent any moisture from entering and ruining your coffee beans.
Just like an unopened bag, store them in a dry place away from heat sources and direct sunlight. I recommend using opened beans within two weeks of opening them. After this point, they will start to get stale.
That said, you can extend their shelf-life for up to six months or longer by using vacuum-sealed containers and storing them in the fridge or freezer.
Coffee Bean Storing Tips
Here are some tips for storing your whole coffee beans.
Keep in a Cool and Dry Location
It is important to store your coffee beans in a cool and dry location. The ideal temperature for storing coffee beans is between 60-70°F (15-21ºC), and the humidity should be between 45-50%.
If it’s too humid or hot, the beans will absorb moisture from the air and start to go stale quickly. Ensure you keep them away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can also make them stale faster.
Store in an Airtight Container
Using an airtight container to store your beans is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep them fresh. Once you open a coffee bag, transfer unused beans into an airtight container or resealable bag to keep out moisture and light.
Use a Vacuum Seal Container
You can also use vacuum-sealed containers to store your beans for longer periods of time. This will prevent air, light, and moisture from entering the container and will help keep the flavor intact.
Vacuum sealing can add multiple months to the life of your coffee beans.
Use Opened Beans Within Two Weeks
It is essential to use your opened beans within two weeks of opening the bag. After this point, the beans will get stale and lose their flavor and aroma.
Therefore, you should use them as soon as possible for maximum freshness and flavor. If you need to hold off on using them, transfer any unused beans into an airtight container or resealable bag to keep out moisture and light.
Store in the Fridge
Storing coffee beans in the fridge is another great way to keep them fresh for longer. This method is particularly useful for opened beans.
When storing your coffee beans in the fridge, make sure you use an airtight container or resealable bag. Coffee beans are porous and easily absorb odors, so keeping them away from other foods is best. [1]
Store in the Freezer
Another option is to store your coffee beans in the freezer as it can add multiple months to the coffee beans’ shelf-life.
When storing your coffee beans in the freezer, make sure you use an airtight or vacuum-sealed container to get the longest life possible for your coffee beans. Additionally, you should let the beans come to room temperature before you grind them.
How to Store Coffee Beans After Roasting
To store coffee beans after roasting, let them cool completely. Then transfer them to an airtight or vacuum-sealed container. After that, use the same steps/tips as coffee beans you’d buy in a store.
How to Store Coffee Beans Before Roasting (i.e, Green beans)
You should store green coffee beans in a dry, cool, and dark location where no pests can get to them.
Green coffee beans are porous, so they will absorb aromas from other food– so store them away from onions, garlic, etc. if you put your green coffee beans in your pantry.
Store unroasted coffee beans in a resealable plastic bag to maintain them for long periods. If you have a vacuum sealer, vacuum seal the beans. This will keep them as fresh as possible until you roast them.
How to Store Coffee Beans After Grinding
Store freshly ground coffee in a resealable bag, airtight container, or vacuum-sealed jar. Then keep it in a dark, cool, and dry location and use the grounds within two weeks.
To extend the ground’s freshness for longer, you can store them in the fridge or freezer (inside an airtight container).
How to Store Coffee Beans for Months
If you want to store your coffee beans for longer, the best option is to use a vacuum-sealed container and store them in either the fridge or freezer.
This will prevent air, light, and moisture from entering the container and help keep their flavor intact.
How to Store Coffee Grounds
When it comes to storing coffee grounds, the same principles apply. However, since ground coffee has a larger surface area than whole beans, it’s best to store grounds in an airtight container and use them within two weeks of opening the bag or grinding your beans.
Just like whole beans, storing coffee grounds in a vacuum-sealed container and putting them in the fridge or freezer will extend their life even more.
FAQS
Here are some common questions on storing coffee beans.
Should I store coffee beans in the fridge?
Yes, storing coffee beans in the fridge can be an effective way to prolong their lifespan.
However, you need to use an airtight container or resealable bag to prevent them from absorbing odors.
What is the best way to store ground coffee beans?
The best way to store ground coffee beans is in an airtight container or resealable bag and store them in a cool, dark area.
Use them within two weeks of opening the bag or grinding your beans for maximum freshness and flavor. You can place the container in the fridge or freezer for additional shelf-life.
How long can you store coffee beans?
Whole beans stored in an airtight container or resealable bag generally last up to six months when kept at room temperature.
However, if transferred into a vacuum-sealed container and stored in the fridge or freezer, you can extend its shelf life beyond six months.
Does freezing coffee beans keep them fresh?
Yes, freezing coffee beans can keep them fresh for a longer period. This method is handy for opened beans, as it extends their shelf-life significantly.
When storing your coffee beans in the freezer, use an airtight orF vacuum-sealed container to get the longest life possible for your coffee beans.
Can you use 2-year-old coffee beans?
Yes, you can still use 2-year-old coffee beans. However, the flavor and freshness of your coffee may not be as good as when it was freshly roasted.
How long do coffee beans stay fresh once opened?
Once opened, coffee beans can stay fresh for up to two weeks when kept at room temperature in a resealable bag.
However, if transferred into a vacuum-sealed container and stored in the fridge or freezer, you can extend its shelf life beyond two weeks.
Final Thoughts
For maximum freshness, you should store whole coffee beans in your pantry, cupboard, or another cool, dark, and dry area. The best temperature and humidity for storing coffee beans are between 60-70°F (15-21ºC) and 45-50%.
You can extend the shelf-life of your opened coffee beans by storing them in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container, then putting them in the fridge or freezer.
The length coffee beans are good for ranges from one week to 12 months (or longer), depending on how you store them. Learn more about how long beans last before going bad here.
