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Five top tips for storing coffee
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Storing whole beans helps retain flavor, which allows for the delivery of a fresh tasting cup of coffee when it is ground right before brewing. (Shutterstock/File)
D
ifferent ways of brewing coffee, from pressed, poured over or using a siphon, could affect its taste in a variety of ways. Additionally, the way coffee is stored could also impact the taste of your morning cuppa.
You may have been storing coffee the wrong way. Here are the top tips to retain its quality, as compiled by Tempo.co.
Store whole beans
Storing whole beans helps retain flavor, which would allow the delivery of a fresh tasting cup of coffee when it is ground right before brewing. Whole beans also last longer than ground coffee, according to Jeff Taylor, coffee veteran and owner of PT's and Bird Rock Coffee.
Don't keep coffee in refrigerator or freezer
Keeping coffee beans in the freezer could actually cause the beans to absorb odors and flavors from the air around it, according to Tracey Huffman, a former Starbucks manager.
Read also: Starbucks campaign endorses Sumatran coffee farmers
Keep in a dry place to avoid moisture
Moisture would compromise the flavor of the coffee, so it is best to store it in a dry place to keep its optimal flavor.
"Fluctuating temperatures can create condensation in the storage container, which will expose the coffee beans to moisture and humidity," said Tom Schleuning and Charles Gonzalez, co-owners of Rosella Coffee Co.
Store in cool, dark place
Coffee beans should ideally be kept in a dark space and at room temperature, such as inside a pantry or a kitchen cabinet. Avoid storing it above the stove, near the microwave or in direct sunlight, as heat will deteriorate the integrity of the coffee, according to Huffman.
Choose an opaque, airtight container
There are various types of containers available for storing coffee, including bags, glass jars, ceramic jars or non-reactive metal containers.
Among those, a coffee bag is one of the best options. Some coffee beans already come in a bag that has a one-way valve halfway down the bag, according to Huffman, which allows it to squeeze all the air out when it is sealed. Like moisture, air could also affect the flavor of the coffee.
Alternatively, a vacuum-sealed container would also be useful for keeping away harmful factors that could damage the flavor of the coffee, such as the sun and air.
After it's roasted the average shelf life of coffee is only about one to two weeks before the quality starts to diminish and before it eventually goes bad. (liz/mut)
