Coffee aficionados know full well that the real adventure with this beverage begins with choosing the right beans. However, even the tastiest, most luxury coffee beans will lose its flavour and aroma if it is not stored properly.
The freshness of the beans is crucial for a great cup of coffee in the morning. Find out, how to store coffee to keep it fresh for longer.
Why is the freshness of coffee beans so important?
Freshly roasted coffee beans has an abundance of aromatic compounds. These are responsible for its character, taste and aroma. The roasting process releases essential oils and natural sugars from the beans. On contact with moisture and oxygen, they begin to oxidise. The longer the beans are exposed to the air, the faster their aroma will disappear.
This is why we recommend that you use the grains within a few weeks of roasting at most. Our coffee roasting plant in Warsaw roasts the beans in small batches. This ensures that the beans arrive to you fragrant, fresh and ready to brew your favourite beverages.
Coffee beans - where to buy good coffee?
The most important thing is to consciously choose where you buy it. Coffee shop run by passionate people can completely transform the daily brewing ritual, offering artisanal coffees with exceptional aromas. You can start your search with places like coffee roasters. Warsawas well as other cities in Poland boast numerous outlets where freshly roasted beans are available.
It is worth noting the taste it has to offer speciality coffee. This is a segment of beans sourced exclusively from proven plantations, where the growing and processing process is strictly controlled. As a result, each cup reveals a unique flavour profile. From notes of chocolate and caramel, to citrus acidity or floral aromas.
We do not recommend buying coffee beans in large supermarkets. Unfortunately, supermarket coffee often sits on the shelves for weeks or even months. It is better to bet on a smaller quantity, but buy beans more often and choose those from a reliable source.
How do you effectively protect your favourite coffee?
First of all, it is important to know what can actually harm it:
- Oxygen Is the number one enemy of coffee beans. It can lead to the oxidation of oils and aromatic compounds, so coffee can have a flat, sterile taste.
- Moisture can lead to the grain absorbing water from the air. This ultimately destroys their taste and texture.
- Acceleration of the oxidation process and spoilage of the grain's aroma can also occur as a result of exposure to high temperature.
What are the best conditions for storing coffee beans?
We recommend cool, dark places where there is no access to air and moisture. However, about that in a moment.
How to store coffee?
Enjoying your favourite cup of coffee is primarily influenced by how the beans are stored. It is not enough to buy them from the best coffee roaster. It is still important where they are kept on a daily basis.
Remember four important rules - your grains will thank you!
- If possible, leave the grains in their original packaging. W Story Coffee Roasters We ensure that each packet of coffee has a single-return valve. This allows the beans to 'breathe' freely after roasting and at the same time gets rid of CO2. The original packaging further protects the coffee from light.
- Have you opened the packet? Transfer the grains into an airtight container, such as thick glass, ceramic or stainless steel. The most important thing is that the container has an impermeable lid and protects it from moisture.
- Try to keep coffee beans away from light, preferably in the pantry or a closed kitchen cupboard.
- Never put coffee in the fridge! The temperature there is lower, but moisture and odours from other products will permeate from the grains.
What else to keep in mind so that the coffee beans are always fresh?
We recommend grinding the beans just before brewing to preserve their aroma. Ground coffee loses its flavour more quickly. Even when the storage conditions have been impeccable. This is why we recommend coffee grinderswhich ensures that the grinding is even and the beans are full of flavour.
The roast date of the beans must not be forgotten. Unfortunately, many producers only state the use-by date of the coffee on the packaging. Our coffee roasting plant in Warsaw includes all relevant dates on the packaging. Before you buy, you can also talk to our experts, who will be happy to advise you on which beans to choose for your favourite brewing method.
