Looking for the best ways to store your coffee in order to ensure freshness? 

The very first step to high quality, delicious coffee is found in having well-roasted,

as-fresh-as possible coffee beans.  Contact with oxygen immediately starts

changing the properties of coffee beans, and within just one hour after grinding,

the oils essential to flavor and aroma begin to lessen.  For the freshest coffee,

purchase good quality whole beans from your local roaster and grind them yourself,

just before brewing.

Coffee Storage

1)    Airtight Container

Containers made of glass or glazed ceramic are the best for storing coffee, because

they're impermeable and easy-to-clean. Select a jar or container that closes with

a seal, locking out air and moisture. 

2)    Location

Coffee must be isolated from air and moisture. For glass or clear plastic containers,

place in a dark area so light doesn't speed up chemical process of oxidation. Your

pantry, cabinet, or drawer would be an excellent location to place your coffee storing

vessel.

3)    Coffee Beans in the Freezer

There is no consensus in the coffee world about storing coffee in the freezer. Many

maintain that freezing coffee damages the subtle flavors in the bean. Moisture can

condense on the frozen coffee beans if the freezer is opened frequently or if the

container is opened. In general, it's best to buy coffee that has been recently

roasted. If that's not an option, choose an airtight container for your coffee beans

before considering storing them in the freezer.

You may find that freezing coffee beans does not affect the final product when

making coffee at home. If this is the case, just make sure to remove the container

or package of coffee and allow it to reach room temperature before using the coffee

beans.

4. Storing Coffee in the Refrigerator

It's best not to store coffee beans in the refrigerator, because they tend to

be humid and full of odors. Excess moisture will eventually cause rot and odors

can alter the taste of the beans.

5)    Storing Green Coffee Beans

For roasting at home, green coffee beans need to be stored differently than roasted

beans. Professionals and importers store green coffee beans in cloth or plastic

mesh bags. The bags are placed in a cool, dry storage location that stays dark and

gets good air ventilation. At home, if you live in an area with average humidity,

temperature, and ventilation then a breathable container is the best for unroasted

coffee beans. If your home is excessively humid, store the green coffee beans in

an airtight, plastic container in a cabinet.

At-home roasted coffee emits a large amount of carbon dioxide the day following

the roast. Freshly roasted beans most degasify for the three days following roasting.

The period of time after coffee is roasted is known as the resting period. Coffee

beans are ready to be brewed 4 to 24 days after being roasted. Beans produce more

froth when brewed in a French press coffeemaker, a good way to judge coffee bean

freshness.