Knowing how to store coffee beans properly will help you enjoy your daily cup of coffee even more.
This article is for people who want to make delicious coffee at home and explains the points to keep in mind when storing coffee beans, tips on how to buy them, and whether or not to freeze them. Coffee lovers will find it useful.

Sarutahiko Coffee's coffee bean powder is here

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📖Table of Contents

• Coffee beans are not a "dry product" so they must be stored in the right way.
• 4 tips to keep your coffee beans fresh
• Is it best to freeze coffee beans?
• Estimated storage period for coffee beans at home
• How to buy coffee beans to prevent them from deteriorating
• Characteristics and precautions for storing coffee beans
  
• My Feelings, Then and Now

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Coffee beans are not a "dry product" so they must be stored in the right way.

Because of their appearance, coffee beans are often thought of as a dried food, and some people think that they do not deteriorate very much.
In fact, even if coffee beans are stored for a long period of time, they hardly change in appearance like vegetables do, such as rotting or wilting.
However, coffee beans are actually a delicate food for which freshness is important.
If it deteriorates, the aroma and flavor will be lost, so it needs to be stored properly to ensure it tastes delicious until the very last drop.

What is coffee bean deterioration?

Coffee beans deteriorate due to exposure to humidity, ultraviolet rays, and air, causing them to lose their aroma and change in flavor.
Coffee beans are a food that contains a lot of oil.
As a result, over time, this oil can oxidize, resulting in changes such as a bitter or unpleasant taste, or a pungent sourness.
Due to these properties, just like fresh foods such as vegetables and fish, the way coffee beans are stored is important for maintaining their deliciousness.

4 tips to keep your coffee beans fresh

Next, we will introduce four storage tips to keep in mind to prevent coffee beans from deteriorating and keep them delicious for a long time.
All of these methods are easy to incorporate at home, so please give them a try.

1. Store away from high temperatures

Coffee beans need to be stored carefully because storing them in high temperatures will accelerate the oxidation of the oils on their surface.
High storage temperatures can cause coffee beans to deteriorate.
Therefore, it is important to avoid high temperatures and store it in a place with as little temperature change as possible.
Be especially careful during hot seasons.

2. Store away from light

When coffee beans are exposed to sunlight, their temperature rises, which can cause deterioration just like in a high-temperature environment. For this reason, it is important to store them away from light.
Also, be aware that not only sunlight but also light from lighting can contribute to deterioration.
For example, you can reduce the effects of light by storing it in a dark pantry where it is not exposed to light, or by using aluminum storage bags that block light.

3. Store away from humidity

When coffee beans are exposed to moisture, oxidation can occur, impairing the flavor and potentially altering the bean's components.
Furthermore, if the humidity in the storage area is too high, not only will the aroma and taste change, but water droplets may form and cause mold, so you need to be very careful.
Avoid storing in places where humidity is likely to be high, such as near water, and store in a well-ventilated, low-humidity area.

4. Store away from oxygen

When coffee beans come into contact with oxygen in the air, they are prone to deterioration, such as losing their aroma due to oxidation and absorbing surrounding odors.
Ground coffee has a larger surface area than beans, making it particularly susceptible to oxidation.
Therefore, it is important to store it in an airtight container (such as a canister) to minimize exposure to oxygen.

Is it best to freeze coffee beans?

It is sometimes recommended to store coffee beans in the freezer, as this protects them from heat and light.
It is true that the temperature inside a freezer is low and light is blocked, making it a storage environment that helps prevent deterioration.
However, there are some precautions to take when storing in the freezer.
This is because when you take the beans out of the freezer, the temperature difference can cause condensation to form on the surface, making them damp.
Be careful when handling it, especially during the summer when there is a large difference in temperature between the outside and the inside.
When freezing, it is best to divide the amount you need into small portions, place them in an airtight container, and use the portion you take out immediately.
The same goes for storing in the refrigerator; it is important to always store in an airtight container, as condensation and the smell of other foods are likely to occur due to temperature differences.

Estimated storage period for coffee beans at home

The approximate storage period for coffee beans, when kept at the appropriate temperature, humidity, and container, is as follows. By maintaining these conditions, the freshness and flavor of the beans can be maintained for as long as possible.

☕ If purchased as beans

The shelf life of unopened coffee beans sealed in a light-blocking container such as an aluminum bag is approximately one to several months.
However, as explained at the beginning, coffee beans are a delicate food that requires careful consideration of freshness.
Although the recommended storage period is long, we recommend drinking it within one month of opening to ensure the best taste.

☕ If purchased as powder

Coffee deteriorates quickly when in powder form, so you need to be careful about how long you store it.
If you purchase it in powder form, the recommended shelf life is approximately two weeks if unopened, and within one week after opening.
Since powder deteriorates faster than beans, when purchasing it, try to buy only the amount you need and drink it as soon as possible, even if it is within the shelf life.

How to buy coffee beans to prevent them from deteriorating

There are some tips for buying coffee beans to prevent them from deteriorating. When purchasing coffee beans, be sure to pay attention to the following points.

💡If possible, buy it in whole beans

Coffee powder has a larger surface area than beans, so it is more susceptible to deterioration when exposed to air.
If you have a coffee grinder or other equipment to grind beans at home, we recommend purchasing the coffee in its entirety and grinding it just before drinking.
When the beans are in bean form, the flavor is less likely to be lost and they are easier to store.
However, if you grind a lot at once and store it in powder form, the aroma and flavor will be lost, so it is best to grind only the amount you need each time.

💡Buy an amount that you can consume in a short period of time

Coffee beans will gradually deteriorate no matter how carefully you store them. Therefore, even if you buy beans that have a long shelf life, if you want to fully enjoy the aroma and flavor, it is recommended that you purchase an amount that you can drink within about two weeks. If you buy only an amount that you can drink in a short period of time, you will be able to enjoy good quality and deliciousness until the very end.

💡Buy from a trusted store

To enjoy your coffee to the fullest, it's important to buy it from a reliable store that sells fresh coffee beans.
For example, check that the store and coffee bean cases are clean, and that the coffee beans are not stored in a place exposed to sunlight.
Another important point is that the coffee beans are kept clean and are not sold in a place where they will lose their freshness.
Also, check whether the coffee is roasted in-house and if the roasting date is close.
If you roast your own coffee, the roaster may be present in the store and will be able to answer any questions or requests you may have directly.
The more recently roasted the coffee is, the fresher it will be, and the closer to the roast date the longer it will last.
If you are purchasing online, be sure to check the shop's website for details.

💡 Talk to the store staff

If you have the opportunity to ask the store staff, it is a good idea to ask them about how to store coffee beans and how long they can be stored.
The shelf life of coffee beans varies depending on the roast level and condition.
For example, light roasts have a delicate, distinctive flavor, so it's easy to see how they change over time, but the fragrant flavor of dark roasts is often less likely to deteriorate.
The degree of roasting varies depending on the store, so it is recommended that you ask directly about the coffee beans you are considering purchasing.

Characteristics and precautions for storing coffee beans

If the coffee comes from a store that uses a highly light-blocking zipper bag, you can use that bag for storage.
If you buy coffee beans in a bag that cannot be sealed, it is recommended that you transfer the beans to a container and store them there.
Here are some common storage containers and their features:

🫙Coffee canister

Coffee canisters are recommended as they are specially designed storage containers suitable for storing coffee.
However, coffee canisters come in a variety of shapes.
For example, containers with gaskets on the lids or double-layered lids are highly airtight.
When choosing a product, check not only the size but also the level of airtightness.
Also, you can prevent coffee beans from deteriorating by putting them in the bag they came in rather than putting them directly into the canister.
When doing so, be sure to seal the bag tightly with a rubber band or tape.

🫙Glass bottle

Glass jars look stylish and are popular as containers for coffee beans.
If you use a glass jar, you can see at a glance how much coffee beans are left.
However, unlike ceramic or enamel bottles, glass bottles have a disadvantage in that they are less light-blocking and allow light to pass through easily. If you want to store coffee beans in a glass bottle, you will need to take some measures, such as using colored glass or storing them in a place where they are not exposed to light.

My Feelings, Then and Now

As explained at the beginning, freshness is important for coffee beans. If you do not pay attention to the temperature, humidity, and light of the storage location, the coffee beans may deteriorate, so be sure to handle them with care.
In order to prevent coffee beans from deteriorating, you need to be careful about how you buy them and the containers you choose to store them in.
When purchasing coffee beans, it is a good idea to pay attention to the type of beans and the storage container.
Sarutahiko Coffee also carries a wide variety of coffee beans and offers tasting sets in easy-to-use packaging with special features.
If you like coffee, be sure to check it out.

Sarutahiko Coffee coffee beans/powder here