Tips for Keeping Coffee Fresh

Keeping coffee fresh can be rather tricky. These tips will help you create the perfect cup every time!

• Coffee looses its freshness when it is subjected to air, moisture, heat and light. So, the first step to preserving freshness is to place your beans in an airtight glass or ceramic container. If using glass, choose a dark color like amber or cobalt blue. The second step is to store your container in a cool, dark place.
• Air causes oxidation and make the beans become stale, so be sure to keep your beans covered. Only open the container to remove the beans you need.
• Buy fresh beans and purchase only what you will use within a week (2-3 days is even better!). The general rule of thumb is one pound of coffee will yield 30-40 six-ounce cups.
• Ground coffee loses its freshness faster than whole bean coffee. If you purchase ground coffee, place it into an airtight container immediately after opening the bag.
• Packaging makes a difference in freshness. Purchase beans and ground coffee in a sealed bag, as opposed to bulk. The shelf life of packaged beans is about two years, however, once the coffee is subjected to air, the freshness begins to diminish.
• To freeze or not to freeze, that is a debatable question. Some say to not freeze at all, others say freeze no longer than a month, others say freeze only if you purchase a large quantity that will not be used immediately. The choice is up to you, but if you do freeze place your coffee in an airtight container and use as quickly as possible. Once you remove your coffee from the freezer, you cannot refreeze it. And keep in mind that if moisture is added, such as what happens when freezing, the flavor becomes weaker.