Some say keep in the fridge and some even the freezer – there are many ideas about how to store coffee but one thing is for sure - coffee is NOT a candidate for the fridge or freezer.

There are 4 (in fact 5) main enemies of the precious coffee bean, moisture, light, heat and air. When coffee is roasted all the natural moisture content is exothermically expelled as part the roasting process. When the roasting process is finished and the beans reach ambient temperature the coffee will start to reabsorb a degree of moisture from the atmosphere. Moisture can cause deterioration and loss of flavour. This is part of what is called oxidation. If you put coffee in the fridge or the freezer it will absorb moisture every time you take coffee out of the fridge or freezer and put it back in, the more moisture absorption which takes place will in effect start to cold brew the coffee, breaking down the flavour natural compounds.

If your coffee smells like cardboard then it is stale and it can be said that most if not all of the flavour compounds have departed. Freezing coffee or extreme cold also breaks down the oils in the beans. The oils contribute to the flavour of the coffee. Breaking down the oils means taking away flavour.

Coffee is an ambient product so just keep coffee stored in a cool, dry, airtight container away from light. A simple method is to leave it in our reseal airtight bags. As soon as our coffee is roasted it is packed and sealed in bags that have a one-way air valve allowing the coffee to degas through the valve but not allowing air into the bag.  So the coffee is sealed in its own protective atmosphere.

Oh the 5th enemy – well that is time. Ground coffee should be used within 7-10 days for optimum flavour when stored correctly. But, its best to buy whole bean and grind as needed for the best coffee tasting experience. Stored correctly whole bean coffee should be used within a month of opening the bag / roasting.