What’s the Best Way of Storing Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee?

First of all, if you want to lock in that glorious flavour, store your coffee as beans, not ground. Why? Beans keep the essential oils and aromas intact much longer than pre-ground coffee. Once you grind it, you’re on a ticking clock. Those tiny particles start losing their oomph almost immediately, so unless you’re planning on drinking it all right away, keep it whole.
If you’re dead set on keeping it ground, at least do it right. Store it in a cool, dark place. We’re talking about a cupboard away from heat sources like ovens or radiators, not the windowsill where it’ll get a daily blast of sunlight.

Moisture is your biggest enemy when it comes to storing coffee. Even a tiny bit of moisture can ruin the flavour and aroma. As soon as you get a new batch, transfer it into an airtight container—ideally one with a vacuum lid. These containers suck out the air, reducing oxidation and keeping your beans fresher for longer.

Forget the flimsy bags with a twist tie that your coffee came in. They might look nice, but they don’t do much to keep your coffee in top-notch condition. Get yourself a solid container that actually does the job.

The short answer is yes, but only if you do it right. Freezing coffee can help extend its life, but it’s not a silver bullet. For starters, your freezer needs to be up to the task. A good quality freezer that holds temperatures at -20 degrees C or lower is ideal.

Here’s the trick: make sure your coffee is sealed in an airtight bag or box with all the air taken out. Freezing coffee with even a bit of air trapped inside can lead to freezer burn, which, as you might guess, is not going to make for a tasty brew.

When you take coffee out of the freezer, only defrost what you need. Once it’s been thawed, don’t refreeze it. The freeze-thaw cycle will mess with the moisture content and destroy the flavour.

But let’s face it—freezing coffee isn’t perfect. Even in the best conditions, frozen coffee won’t last forever. If you really want the freshest coffee, it’s better to buy smaller amounts more frequently.

If you’re serious about your coffee, don’t leave a mountain of beans sitting in the grinder hopper. Coffee grinders are not airtight, so any beans sitting in there are slowly losing freshness. Keep just enough beans in the hopper for that day’s brew.
Better still, weigh your beans before they go into the grinder. This way, you’re only grinding what you need, and you’ll always get the right amount for your brew. Plus, it’s a good habit that’ll help with consistency, which is what you want if you’re aiming for barista-level coffee at home.

You might be wondering, can’t I just keep my coffee in the fancy bag it came in? The answer is… sort of. Many coffee bags these days come with a one-way valve, which lets gas out but doesn’t let air in. That’s great for short-term storage, but once the bag is open, all bets are off. You’ll still need an airtight container if you want to keep things fresh for more than a few days.

We’ve covered freezing, but what about the fridge? Should you store your coffee in there? Absolutely not. The fridge might seem like a cool, dark place, but it’s also full of moisture and odours. Coffee is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture and smells from its surroundings. Unless you want your coffee tasting like last night’s leftovers, keep it out of the fridge.

There’s no magic trick to storing coffee, just common sense. Keep it away from moisture, air, heat, and light. Use airtight containers, and only grind what you need when you need it. If you can, buy small batches and store them properly. You’ll taste the difference in every cup.

Order and store small batches of coffee so you aren’t drinking from old beans. Fresh is always best, and with a bit of care, you can enjoy top-quality coffee every day.