Oxygen, heat, and light are the enemies of freshness. Store your coffee in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, in an airtight container.
Fresh coffee is one of the easiest ways to make your daily cup taste amazing. But even the best beans lose flavour if they are not stored correctly. The good news is that keeping your coffee fresh is simple once you know what to do.
This guide answers the most common questions about storing coffee beans and ground coffee so your Adore Coffee tastes as rich and aromatic as the day it was roasted.
WHAT MAKES COFFEE LOSE FRESHNESS?
Coffee is full of delicate flavour compounds. These compounds give your coffee sweetness, fragrance and complexity. Once the bag is opened oxygen, heat and light begin to break them down.
Here is what happens as coffee ages:
- The flavour becomes flat
- Sweetness fades
- Acidity becomes dull
- The aroma loses intensity
A great roast deserves proper storage so you get the best flavour in every cup.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE COFFEE BEANS?
Here are the essential rules for keeping beans and ground coffee fresh at home.
Use an Airtight Container
This is one of the simplest ways to keep oxygen away from your beans. Choose a sealed container that is solid and not see through. Clear jars are fine only if they stay in a dark cupboard.
Store Coffee in a Cool and Dark Place
Heat and light make coffee stale much faster. A pantry or cupboard is perfect.
Do Not Leave Coffee Bags Open
Every time you open the bag fresh air enters and reacts with your beans. Either seal the bag tightly or use a storage container.
Why Whole Beans Stay Fresh Longer
Grinding coffee increases the surface area which makes the flavour fade faster. Whole beans hold their freshness for much longer which is why we always recommend choosing whole beans whenever possible.
SHOULD YOU STORE COFFEE IN THE FRIDGE OR FREEZER?
Storing Coffee In The Fridge
This is not recommended. The fridge creates moisture, and coffee easily absorbs nearby food smells. These two things can ruin the flavour.
Storing Coffee In The Freezer
Freezing coffee can work very well if you want to store beans for the long term. But, ensure you follow these three simple steps:
- Freeze beans in small portions in airtight containers
- Keep them sealed until you need them
- Never refreeze thawed coffee
For everyday use it is best to store coffee at room temperature.
HOW LONG DOES COFFEE STAY FRESH AFTER OPENING?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Here is the simplest breakdown for you:
- Coffee tastes best between one and four weeks after roasting
- If stored correctly it can still taste good for several more weeks
- Ground coffee loses freshness faster than whole beans
All Adore Coffee blends and single origins are roasted fresh so you get the best flavour window possible.
CAN YOU STORE BOTH BEANS AND GROUND COFFEE THE SAME WAY?
Yes. Beans and ground coffee follow the same rules, although ground coffee becomes stale much faster. If you enjoy maximum flavour we recommend choosing whole beans from our blends or single origin range.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Storing coffee correctly is a simple habit that makes a big difference. Whether you choose whole beans or ground espresso or plunger coffee, proper storage keeps your favourite Adore Coffee tasting sweet, vibrant and aromatic.
If you are ready for a fresh bag, click here to explore our blends and single origins and choose a roast that suits your daily routine.
