Coffee is an aromatic, invigorating drink. In order for it to retain its unique taste and aroma, it must be properly stored. The storage methods for ground coffee and coffee beans are different.
How to store coffee beans?
Regular roasted coffee beans will lose their flavor and aroma within a couple of weeks after roasting if no additional measures are taken. But modern industry has found a solution to this problem. The shelf life of coffee beans is increased by several months using a conventional vacuum package with a simple one-way valve, with which you can remove gases that accumulate inside. In some cases, such packages contain a special inert gas instead of air, which helps to protect the coffee from various damages. In such improved packages, coffee can be stored without loss of taste and aroma for up to three years.
The thing is that roasted coffee beans emit carbon dioxide, so periodically it is necessary to “bleed off” the excess of this gas. One-way valves in special packages allow you to do this, preventing bacteria and foreign odors from entering. If you do not have suitable airtight packaging, you can freeze the grains. By the way, frozen grains are much easier to grind, especially if you are using a hand mill, as the cold makes them more brittle.
What to do with ground coffee?
Pre-ground coffee is stored even less without accessories. It must be protected from extraneous odors, since fine grinding easily absorbs moisture and strong aromas. Store the ground coffee in a dry place; kitchen cabinets are great for this. Tin, ceramic or glass jars with tight-fitting lids are suitable for storing coffee of any grind. Ground coffee can be stored in them for several months without losing its aroma and taste. If your apartment has normal humidity, these cans can also be used to store coffee beans, but it is important to periodically open the lids for a short time to get rid of excess carbon dioxide.
Spoiled ground coffee can be easily identified by its appearance and smell. It becomes lighter by several tones and becomes unpleasantly friable (most often this indicates that the grinding has absorbed too much moisture). The smell of spoiled coffee becomes sour and musty. These changes are noticeable enough that even a hobbyist can understand that it is time to buy a new coffee.
Please note that if you grind coffee from beans yourself, it is better not to store such coffee for future use, even in sealed cans, as this makes the process meaningless.
