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How to store your beans in summer
Do you want to know the secret to storing your coffee beans for optimum freshness?
Australia’s summer can be a challenge for coffee lovers, especially when it comes to preserving the freshness and full flavour of your coffee beans. The combination of heat, humidity, and changing temperatures can cause coffee to lose its aroma and taste quicker than you might expect. So, how do you keep your beans in top condition while enjoying your daily brew?
In this post, we’ll cover the best methods for storing coffee beans during the summer months in Australia, so your morning cup stays rich, flavourful, and fresh, no matter how hot or humid it gets outside.
1. Use Airtight Containers
Coffee beans are incredibly sensitive to air, moisture, light, and heat, so the first step in preserving their quality is to keep them in an airtight container. The best options include:
- Vacuum-sealed containers: These remove excess air and can significantly extend the freshness of your beans.
- Opaque, airtight canisters: Clear glass containers can expose beans to light, which accelerates the deterioration of their oils and flavour. Opt for an opaque container to protect your beans from light exposure. We have customised ones in store from Airscape that do this.
Tip: Just Planet beans come in one-way valve packaging. This helps to keep your beans fresh by releasing the build-up of gasses as the beans mature.
2. Store Beans in a Cool, Dark Place
Heat and light are two of coffee's biggest enemies. Try these storage locations instead:
- Pantry: A cool, dry pantry is ideal, as it offers protection from sunlight and keeps beans at a consistent temperature.
- Cupboard or cabinet: Store the container in a cupboard away from any heat sources, such as ovens, stovetops, or direct sunlight.
- Not the fridge or freezer: While it may seem like a good idea to keep coffee beans in the fridge or freezer, this can introduce moisture when you open and close the container. If beans are exposed to moisture, they can become stale or even develop mold. Freezing beans may also cause them to lose flavour due to condensation.
3. Smaller Quantities
The longer the beans sit, the more they deteriorate. A good strategy is to buy smaller quantities of beans at a time, ensuring that you’re always using fresh beans and aren’t keeping large amounts that could spoil. Check out our subscription service, we can post your beans out regularly, so you never run out again.
- Buy in batches: Purchase enough beans for a week or two at a time, rather than bulk-buying in larger quantities that may sit for months.
- Grind only what you need: Ground coffee loses its flavour much faster than whole beans, so only grind what you intend to use within a few days.
4. Keep Beans Away from Moisture
Coffee beans can absorb moisture, which can affect both their flavour and texture.
Keep containers sealed tightly: Ensure your container is sealed after every use to prevent moisture from entering the beans.
5. Keep Your Coffee Beans Away from Strong Smells
Coffee beans are highly porous and can easily absorb odours from nearby foods or other strong-smelling items. Keep your beans away from pungent items like spices, cleaning products, or perfumes, as they can impact the taste of your coffee.
6. Rotate Your Beans for Freshness
If you're a serious coffee enthusiast, you might have several varieties of beans on hand. Make sure to rotate your coffee so that older beans are used first. This ensures you’re always using the freshest beans available and prevents any beans from staying on the shelf for too long.
Conclusion
Storing coffee beans during Australia’s hot and humid summer doesn’t have to be a challenge. By keeping them in an airtight container, protecting them from heat and moisture, and buying smaller quantities, you can ensure your coffee stays fresh, flavourful, and aromatic all season. Enjoy your summer brewing, and for more information on beans and brewing equipment, call in to see us at Just Planet.
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