How to store coffee and keep it fresh for longer

So you've bought a delicious bag of freshly roasted coffee (presumably from our UK Roasters prescription service 😉). But you're not sure whether you'll get through it all in the next few weeks.

Coffee is a foodstuff. This means it's perishable and goes off, just like any other food when left for too long. It has a shelf life of around a month. Air, light, moisture and heat all affect the taste - chocolatey notes can become more like cherry, and vanilla can start tasting a bit nutty. Oxygen is the enemy – it can erode the aroma of your beans or ground coffee. Heat and light will cause your coffee to perish faster by changing the chemical composition and breaks down flavour compounds. Moisture? That just makes your coffee mouldy – which, let's face it, is never going to be pleasant for anyone.

The condition of your coffee can change from bean to bean and will deteriorate whether beans or ground, so it's essential to store it properly to keep it fresh for as long as possible.

Top tips to keep your coffee fresh for longer.

Don't Over Purchase 

The beauty of our coffee subscription service is that you can have freshly roasted coffee delivered to your doorstep whenever you need it – so you do not need to have bags of the stuff going stale at the back of your cupboard. Aim to buy as little as you need for one month or less. Make sure it comes in a zip lock bag with a valve and keep it zipped up and in the cupboard, away from heat and light.

Get yourself some decent storage jars for coffee.

If you're not likely to get through your bag of coffee within a month or your bag didn't come with a zip lock and valve, you can get a coffee specific storage container. A sturdy container with the mechanics to seal the container tight will keep it as fresh as possible. Like zip lock bags with valves, you want a container that will keep carbon dioxide in and oxygen out. These will be airtight and have a valve in the lid. Perfect for keeping your coffee fresh for as long as possible. Fellow has a stylish range of Atmos coffee storage jar options here.

Grind it fresh

Beans will stay fresher for longer than ground coffee. So invest in a grinder and grind your coffee in small batches. Some grinders, like the Baratza Encore, come with single hopper options to make it simple to grind just the right amount for your brew. The BaratzaGear Single Dose Hopper is compatible with the Baratza Encore, Virtuoso+, Vario and Forte grinders.

Don't Store Coffee In The Fridge

While fresh coffee is a foodstuff, it does not take well to being stored in the fridge (unless, of course, we're talking cold brew!). Freezing your coffee is, however, an option, as a last resort, providing you do it the right way. Make sure your beans are well sealed, and separate them into smaller bags so you can take them out in smaller quantities as and when needed. Don't be tempted to grind your beans from frozen; allow them time to return to room temperature first. And try not to store them any longer than two weeks past purchase date if you can help it. While it's always best to grind coffee fresh, you can also freeze ground coffee provided it is stored in an airtight container.

How To Keep Coffee Beans Fresher for Longer

• Store them in an airtight, dark container.
• Avoid sunlight.
• Avoid heat.
• Avoid moisture (storing near your sink, or your brewer could accidentally allow water or steam to infiltrate your beans).
• If you can't brew your coffee within the optimum time put your beans in the freezer.

Fresh is always best

The final word on this has to be that fresh is always best. Buying the best quality and freshest beans possible will ensure you enjoy a café-like experience at home. Take a look at our selection of the UK's finest artisan roasts and get them delivered straight to your doorstep today.