Coffee 101: Storage

Ever wonder why at times your coffee smells and tastes great and other times not so much? This issue most likely is that you’re not aware of what you are or aren’t doing to ensure a high degree of freshness. Not to fear as we’ll explain what promotes freshness and what doesn’t.

Also, the benefit of ensuring outstanding flavor goes beyond your tastebuds. There’s also the benefit of stretching your money further by making the freshness of your coffee last longer. And who doesn’t want to save money by doing just a few simple things to make this happen?

Let’s get into it …

What Affects Flavor and Aroma

Air, temperature, light and moisture can affect the flavor and aroma of brewed coffee.

Air/Oxidation

Coffee whether whole beans or ground doesn’t perform well when exposed to air over a prolonged period. This is because of oxidation, and exposing your coffee to air increases the rate of oxidation which translates into weaker tasting coffee.

An important thing to note is that whole beans are affected at a slower rate than ground coffee. This is because there’s less of the bean that’s exposed to air versus the case of ground coffee.

Temperature

Your coffee enjoys cooler climates. More specifically, temperature plays a significant role in the level of freshness of your stored coffee. It’s important to remember that heat will increase the loss of that rich flavor and aroma and may even create an unpleasant taste. Think of exposing your coffee to warmer temperatures as slow cooking it over the length of time you’ve had them stored. And that’s… well, no bueno.

Light

Similar to the effects of air exposure, light whether natural or artificial can cause your unbrewed coffee to degrade. Extended exposure to light and, yes, UV rays will accelerate the breaking down of the organic compounds of your coffee. This is known as photodegradation. When this occurs, you’ll notice reduced flavor, muted aroma and even a bad aftertaste.

Moisture

Trapped moisture can also affect your whole beans or ground coffee. This can produce muted or even bitter flavor and aroma. Even worse, exposure to moisture can lead to the growth of mold. If you notice your coffee sporting a five-o’clock shadow, it’s time to change your storage strategy.

How To Preserve Freshness, Flavor and Aroma

Now that you’re aware of the various things that can adversely affect your brew, here are some key recommendations to promote better flavor and aroma. If you follow these guidelines, you should enjoy consistently good tasting coffee each and every time you brew at home.

Store in an airtight container

Those attractive ceramic jars with “COFFEE” on the side in raised lettering may seem like a great choice, however, it’s important to note that this is purely a decorative piece and not an effective one if you want to avoid stale tasting coffee.

By storing your coffee in an airtight container, you’re protecting your coffee from the effects of oxidation. The preferred type would be one with an actual rubber gasket and a lid that secures with some form of a clasp that ensures complete closure.

Use an opaque container

Choosing a container that not only provides a secure, airtight seal but also prevents light and UV rays from penetrating and affecting your coffee is optimal.

Select an opaque, airtight container to prevent your beans from going stale or getting moldy. If you can’t get away from the attractive looks of that ceramic jar, find a container that will fit within it to better preserve your beans or grounds. Trust me, your taste buds and your wallet will thank you.

Store in a dark, cool place

As an added measure to reduce the effects of degradation, try to store your coffee in a cool, dark place. For most, the pantry serves this purpose well.

Store whole beans instead of grounds

As previously mentioned, whole beans degrade at a slower pace than ground coffee. Therefore, it’s preferable to store your coffee in the form of whole beans and grind them just prior to brewing. This is the best way to produce an incredibly rich tasting and aromatic cup of coffee.

As a final note, you should recognize that your coffee is going stale or has gone stale if you experience the following:

• Bland, muted flavor and aroma
• Bitter, sour, or metallic aftertaste

We hope that you’ll find this information useful and start taking the steps toward having consistently great tasting coffee. You’ve spent good money for quality coffee, so why not take the steps to guarantee you’re getting your money’s worth in every cup you brew?

Let us know what you think and don’t hesitate to pass along your thoughts, too. Email us at info@brilliantburro.com or fill out our contact form and send us a message.