Keeping Coffee Fresh Requires Careful Thought

In an ideal world one would buy a small amount of unroasted, green coffee beans to be prepared at home for later on. For many coffee drinkers, however, this is simply not a practical option. So what follows is a compromise for those people who enjoy coffee but who are unwilling to go that extra mile for a truly good cup of it.

According to an article on coffee storage by Gary Gresham, there are four main enemies to good coffee: These are water, light, oxygen and heat. Gresham, by the way, is not one of those people who think coffee can be safely stored in the refrigerator or freezer. The reasons for this are relatively obvious: In the freezer, water molecules attach themselves to the coffee bean. Coffee beans are porous, so they absorb moisture readily, detracting from the taste and quality of the coffee in question. Coffee should always be stored at room temperature and used within one to two weeks after being purchased.

My own research into this question suggests that there exists some debate about the proper handling and storing of coffee. The Coffee Companion says that placing an airtight container of coffee into the freezer is acceptable, for instance. Gresham argues the opposite. He says that coffee should be stored in an airtight ceramic container that blocks light, and should also have a rubber seal around the lid to avoid moisture from getting inside. He also says that one should "stay away from plastic or metal containers" because these will affect the taste of the coffee.

The problem of proper coffee packaging has led to a whole legion of new approaches in the market. New high tech laminate packaging, made up of a number of ultra-thin layers designed to protect the coffee, are now common in the marketplace. Most coffee packaging now features one-way valve bags in which the carbon dioxide created by the roasted beans is allowed to escape, and at the same time prevents oxygen from entering. Whatever the packaging, always keep your coffee in a cool, dry space using an airtight container. Coffee and tea both tend to absorb the smells from their immediate environment, which can adversely affect taste.