Proper Coffee Storage

The way you store your coffee beans has a significant impact on flavor. Here's how to keep your beans fresh and delicious.

The Enemies of Fresh Coffee

Coffee has four main enemies:

• Air – Oxygen causes oxidation and stale flavors
• Moisture – Humidity leads to flavor degradation
• Heat – Warm temperatures accelerate staling
• Light – UV rays break down compounds that create flavor

The Best Storage Container

Use an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Opaque containers work better than clear ones. Many specialty coffee bags have one-way valves that let CO2 out but don't let air in – these are designed for storage.

Should You Refrigerate Coffee?

Generally, no. The refrigerator has moisture and odors that coffee readily absorbs. However, you can freeze whole beans for long-term storage (over 3-4 weeks). If you freeze, use an airtight container and don't thaw and refreeze.

Buy the Right Amount

The best way to ensure fresh coffee is to buy smaller quantities more frequently. Coffee is at its peak flavor 7-21 days after roasting. After about a month, flavors begin to fade noticeably.

Tips for Freshness

• Keep beans whole until ready to brew – ground coffee stales much faster
• Store away from heat sources (not near the stove or in direct sunlight)
• Use a container with a good seal – mason jars work well
• Buy from roasters who print roast dates on their bags

At Edelweiss

Our coffee is roasted fresh and packaged in bags with one-way valves. For the best experience, we recommend using within 3-4 weeks of the roast date printed on each bag.

Fresh beans, properly stored, make all the difference in your daily cup!