How to Keep Your Coffee Beans Fresh

Did you know that there’s a noticeable difference between fresh and stale coffee? Although coffee doesn’t “go bad” in terms of becoming moldy, it can quickly lose its freshness. 

Just like any other item in your pantry, knowing how to keep your coffee fresh will help to preserve its flavor. 

What makes coffee go stale?

Coffee beans contain a variety of solubles such as oils, fruit acids, caffeine, and carbohydrates that are extracted from the coffee in the brewing process. These solubles give us the aroma and flavor of coffee that we all love, but they begin to break down when not sealed properly.

When coffee beans or grounds are exposed to the air, they quickly begin to oxidize. This process can be compared to iron becoming rusty as it’s exposed to the elements over time.  

Other conditions such as too much heat, direct light, or moisture can also oxidize coffee beans.

How to know your coffee is fresh

The best way to know if your coffee beans are fresh is if they have a glossy or oily coating on them. Dark roasts tend to be more oily than light roasts, as dark beans are roasted longer which causes more of the oils to come to the surface.

Another sign of freshly roasted coffee is the presence of a valve on the packaging. The valve means the beans have been freshly roasted, as they are still emitting gasses from the roasting process.