The Best Way to Store Your Coffee!

Coffee tastes best when the beans are fresh, but keeping them fresh at home is not quite as simple as putting the bag in the cupboard. Light, heat, moisture and oxygen can all affect coffee over time. The good news is that you don't need anything complicated to store your beans properly.

What Makes Coffee Go Stale?

Once coffee is roasted, it slowly changes as it comes into contact with oxygen. The aromatic compounds that give coffee its flavour and aroma gradually fade, while exposure to moisture, heat and light can speed up the process. That means where you keep your coffee matters almost as much as which coffee you buy.

The Best Way to Store Coffee Beans

For most people, the best option is to keep coffee beans in an airtight container like and Airscape, in a cool, dry cupboard, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. If you're buying whole beans, keep them whole until you're ready to brew. Grinding increases the surface area exposed to oxygen, so ground coffee generally loses its freshness faster.

Keep Your Coffee Away From:

• Air: Oxygen is one of the biggest causes of coffee losing its freshness.
• Light: Direct sunlight and bright light can affect the beans over time.
• Heat: Keep coffee away from the stove, oven and other warm areas.
• Moisture: Coffee absorbs moisture and odours from its surroundings, which can affect the flavour.

Should You Keep Coffee in the Fridge?

We don't recommend it.

The refrigerator is cool, but it also contains moisture and plenty of different food aromas. Coffee can absorb those aromas, and taking coffee in and out of the fridge can also expose it to condensation. For everyday coffee storage, a cool, dry cupboard is usually a better choice.

What About the Freezer?

Freezing coffee can work if you're storing beans for a longer period, particularly when you have more coffee than you expect to use in the near future. The key is keeping the beans well sealed and protected from moisture and air. If you freeze coffee, it's better to portion it before freezing rather than repeatedly opening and closing one large container.

For the coffee you're drinking regularly, however, we recommend keeping it in an airtight container at room temperature.

Should I Keep Coffee in the Bag?

It depends on the bag... Coffee bags designed with a proper one-way valve and a resealable closure can be perfectly good for short-term storage. If the bag doesn't reseal well, transferring the beans to an airtight container can help protect their freshness better.

Whole Bean vs Ground Coffee

If you have a grinder at home, whole bean coffee is generally the better choice for freshness. Once coffee is ground, much more of its surface is exposed to oxygen, so the flavour and aroma can fade more quickly. Grinding just before brewing helps preserve more of the characteristics you want in your cup.

How Long Does Coffee Stay Fresh?

There isn't one exact number of days that applies to every coffee. For the best flavour, we recommend buying an amount you can reasonably use while the coffee is still fresh and storing it properly once you bring it home. The roast date can also help you understand how fresh the coffee is when you purchase it. If you're not going through a large bag very quickly, buying smaller quantities more often can be a good option.

Can I Store Different Coffees in the Same Container?

We wouldn't recommend it... Different coffees have their own aromas and flavour characteristics, and coffee can pick up surrounding aromas. If you regularly switch between coffees, it's better to use a clean container for each one.

What Kind of Container Is Best for Coffee?

Look for a container that is:

• Airtight
• Opaque or light-blocking
• Easy to open and close
• Large enough for the amount of coffee you're storing

An airtight coffee storage container such as an Airscape can be a good option because it is designed specifically for keeping coffee protected from air and light.

The Simple Rule for Fresher Coffee

You don't need a complicated setup to keep your coffee fresh at home. Keep your beans airtight, cool, dry and away from light. Grind them when you're ready to brew, and avoid storing them in the fridge. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Coffee