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How to Keep Coffee Grounds Fresh – A Brewers Guide to Delicious Sips of Glory
Being one of the go to early morning hot drinks, coffee is a universal pick-me-up. Most need the fuel to wake them up in the morning, get through long days, and stay sane and focused.
A fresh cup of coffee could mean the difference between a great day and a day from hell for many of us. I am sure that all coffee lovers can relate.
It is essential to have the best information on how to keep coffee grounds fresh—instead a fresh cup of coffee than a dreary flavorless cup to start the day.
Therefore, we have researched the best strategies to maintain the freshness of coffee grounds. Listed below are essential tips that would afford you fresh cups of your favorite brew day after day.
How Long Do Coffee Beans Last?
Knowing how long coffee beans last is vital to ensure their freshness. As soon as coffee beans are roasted, they lose their freshness. After roasting, the beans absorb oxygen which results in the loss.
It’s best to use coffee grounds within a month of purchasing it to get maximum freshness.
Coffee beans can last on a shelf in the original packaging for months without expiring. However, through this time, it does get stale.
Instead of looking for an expiry date on your coffee packaging, look for the best before date. It will indicate when to use your coffee beans to ensure you always get a fresh cup.
The length of their lifestyle also depends on how you store them.
Does Ground Coffee Last Long?
Ground coffee is entirely different from coffee beans. A package of ground coffee takes about a week to lose its freshness because it degasses quicker than whole beans.
If you want the most freshness and flavor from your ground coffee, it is advised to use it within two weeks. Most ground coffee only stays fresh for about one week after grinding, which gives it short shelf life.
It’s common for coffee drinkers to crush all their coffee beans at once to save time.
Doing this is a huge mistake as the rich taste decreases over time. It makes the coffee lose flavor faster, which is disappointing.
To ensure that you are getting fresh coffee every time, grind only the amount you need when making a cup.
However, if you don’t have the time, you can grind a week’s supply for the freshness to last.
How to Store Coffee Beans?
It is important to remember that where you store your coffee is equally important to what you keep your coffee in. Coffee needs to be stored at room temperature in a dry, cool place.
Storing your coffee on your countertop may seem convenient for those busy mornings, but it is not advisable.
Coffee beans should not be exposed to the harshness of light, heat, moisture, and air to keep them fresh for a longer time. It is advisable to store your coffee beans in your pantry because the darker the surroundings, the better.
Storing them in an airtight container is best to keep them fresh.
Several people prefer to use the original packaging to store the coffee beans. However, there are consequences to doing so, especially concerning freshness.
Also, check that the best buy date has not passed when you purchase your coffee.
Follow the tips above to enjoy a delicious cup for great taste and maximum freshness every day.
Can You Store Your Coffee Beans in the Fridge or Freezer?
There is a lot of confusion about whether you can store coffee beans in a fridge.
There are different opinions amongst coffee drinkers when it comes to storing coffee beans. So, should it be stored in a refrigerator or freezer?
The best way to consume coffee beans is when they are fresh, this will always give you a deliciously brewed cup of coffee.
If you store coffee in the fridge or freezer, it can ruin the beans. It is important to note that when coffee beans are not properly stored, they can get ruined.
Freezer burn is a big concern and a waste of money. There is no evidence of coffee staying fresh in the freezer or fridge.
If you have to store your coffee in the fridge or freezer, make sure it is in an airtight container.
Don’t store them for more than two weeks, though, as they will get ruined. The cold conditions inside your fridge cause condensation, enhancing the oxidation process. When this happens, it is not suitable for maintaining the freshness of coffee beans. It pushes the flavorful oils in coffee to the outer surface of the beans.
If you have other foods in the freezer, your coffee beans can also take on the smell or flavor.
It is because coffee beans are porous, which means they absorb odors relatively easily.
Storing your coffee in harsh cold temperatures is not advised. Stick to fresh coffee beans and only use the fridge or freezer to keep them if it is necessary.
Test Your Beans for Freshness
If you drink coffee daily, it is essential to know how to test the beans for freshness. You can use a few methods to test them. Listed below are a few tips that you can follow:
- The first way would be just by looking at them, and if you see a glossy finish or an oily residue, they may not be at their maximum freshness.
- The second test you can do is just as simple as the first one. What you would have to do in this case is to smell them. Coffee beans should always have a strong aroma. They usually lose their strong aroma over time, so monitor it.
- There is also a little experiment that you can use to test your coffee beans. All you would need is a few coffee beans and a Ziploc bag. Put your beans into the bag, get rid of excess air, and seal it. Allow your coffee beans to sit overnight, and in the morning, if the bag has puffed up, you know that your coffee beans are fresh.
Conclusion
Correctly storing your coffee beans and ground coffee granules is essential, whether you use one or the other. It will afford you fresh cups of your favorite drink daily. It will also save money and time because its freshness is adequately maintained.
I doubt that anyone wants to waste money or coffee beans. As a coffee lover myself, that would not be very pleasant.
Some people prefer coffee shops to reduce the hassle of nurturing their own coffee grounds.
Although this practice offers convenience, it can be a bit costly. Nothing is better than freshly brewed coffee in the comfort of your own home. Also, it saves you the hassle of going out to get a cup, especially if you work from home.
Buy a good quality airtight container to store your coffee beans properly. That’s all it takes to keep your coffee fresh and enjoy satisfying mouthfuls cup after cup.
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