For coffee lovers, nothing is better than the fresh taste and strong aroma of a morning cup of joe. And nothing is worse than sipping a stale cup. Flavor can be greatly affected by how coffee beans are stored, so we’ve put together a few tips and suggestions on how to properly store coffee to ensure your brew is at its best every time.

Guide to Storing Coffee

Be sure to store coffee in favorable conditions. Avoid:

• Moisture
• Air
• Light
• Fluctuating temperature
• Strong odors

To help coffee keep its flavor:

• Store coffee in an air-tight container, preferably ceramic or non-reactive metal with an airtight gasket.
• Keep coffee in a cool, dark place.
• Buy an amount of coffee that can be consumed within 7-10 days of purchase.
• Do not pre-grind your coffee.

We don’t recommend storing coffee beans in the refrigerator. This will expose the beans to an excessive amount of moisture and odor that will damage the coffee’s flavor. The freezer is a better option for storing large amounts of coffee beans.

Do’s and Don’ts of freezing coffee beans:

• Do store fresh coffee beans in the freezer for 2-3 months.
• Do divide the coffee beans into weekly portions so the beans freeze and defrosted once.
• Do use an opaque, freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible from the bag.
• Do allow at least one hour for the frozen coffee beans to defrost before grinding.
• Do use defrosted beans within 7-10 days.
• Don’t return thawed coffee beans to the freezer. This will ruin the flavor.
• Don’t freeze pre-ground coffee. Coffee grounds absorb odors more quickly than whole coffee beans.