How I store beans (and what I stopped doing)
For a month I split a few bags of the same coffee three ways and brewed them side by side every week. Not a lab test, but enough to change my habits.
What I do now
- Keep the bag the roaster sends, as long as it has a one-way valve and a zip. Squeeze the air out every time.
- Store it in a dark cupboard, away from the kettle and the oven.
- If a bag will last longer than three weeks, freeze half of it right away in small, airtight portions.
What I stopped doing
- Clear glass jars on the counter. They look lovely and the coffee in them went stale first.
- The fridge. Coffee picks up smells and moisture there. Freezer or cupboard, nothing in between.
- Thawing and refreezing. Take out a portion, let it reach room temperature before opening, and use it up.
The honest conclusion: buying smaller bags more often beat every storage trick.