How to Store Coffee Beans and Keep Them Fresher

You've found coffee beans you love.

Now don't undo all that hard work by storing them badly.

Coffee is affected by its environment, so where and how you store your beans matters.

Protect your coffee from air

Once a bag has been opened, repeated exposure to air can gradually affect the coffee.

Keep your beans in a properly sealed container whenever possible.

An airtight coffee container can be a useful addition to your coffee station.

Keep coffee away from heat

That beautiful shelf directly above your kettle or next to your cooker?

Probably not the ideal home for your coffee beans.

Choose somewhere cool and away from heat sources.

Protect your beans from light

A dark cupboard or opaque container is generally preferable to leaving coffee sitting in direct sunlight.

That clear glass jar might look lovely on Instagram, but your coffee would probably prefer somewhere darker.

Avoid unnecessary moisture

Coffee beans should be kept dry.

This is another reason a properly sealed container is useful.

Buy sensible amounts

Buying a huge bag might initially seem economical, but consider how quickly you'll actually use it.

Smaller quantities that you enjoy regularly can sometimes make more sense than keeping a large amount open for months.

Grind when you're ready to brew

If you're buying whole coffee beans, grind what you need for your brew rather than grinding the entire bag at once.

Then it's time for the enjoyable part.

Espresso machine ready. Favourite cup ready. Coffee on.