In order to know how to store coffee, you must understand where the flavor from coffee comes from.
Coffee Flavor
When coffee is freshly roasted, the oils are noticeable on the beans. Most of the flavor is contained within this oil which is also responsible for the dark and oily color on the roasted beans. When these oils come in contact with air, light, heat and moisture, the flavor and aroma begin to deteriorate. These are the enemies of roasted coffee beans. Coffee beans, at room temperature, undergo chemical change and emit carbon dioxide. Air oxidizes the beans and makes them go stale very quickly. Moisture, such as what the coffee beans are exposed to in freezing, will decrease the flavor as long as it is exposed to it. The oils collected on the skin of the beans get hardened and crack due to freezing.
To make matters worse, ground coffee deteriorates much faster than whole beans do. With more surface area exposed to the air, the more likely it will become stale if not consumed within a week.
Storing Coffee
Coffee should be purchased freshly roasted and stored appropriately immediately in airtight and moisture free coffee containers. Coffee should never be stored in the freezer. In fact the process of roasting includes cleaning, roasting, cooling, grinding and packaging. Although vacuum and nitrogen injection packaging was introduced to slow down the deterioration process, once the packages were opened the process of getting stale could not be controlled. Once the coffee package has been opened, it should immediately be transferred to an airtight container and stored at room temperature.
Whole beans are the preferred choice for keeping it fresh and brewing. Whole beans have a longer shelf life and it is better to buy whole beans and grind only as much coffee as is required for the day. Grinding your coffee as needed will deliver the best flavor and aroma from a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
The National Coffee Association of U.S.A. says that coffee pods, and coffee beans be stored in airtight containers in dark, cool locations. If the coffee is in large quantity, they should be packed in a number of small airtight bags.
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