keepin' it fresh

Coffee beans are taken from a live plant so storage for the beans after they are roasted is important to ensure that the freshness remains and that you are preserving the flavor of the particular coffee. We often are asked what is the best way to store coffee, and we hear a lot of ideas people have some up from storing it in the freezer, refrigerator, and even zip lock bags. So I want to share what we have found that works best to keep your fresh coffee fresh. :)
First let's start by recognizing that anything that you would buy at the grocery store or even at Starbucks isn't going to be fresh. Sorry guys, but it isn't. To get the best flavor from your coffee, you should brew it within two weeks of roasting, and immediately after grinding. In fact, after coffee is roasted the flavors really start to enhance 3-5 days after the roasting process, bringing the heightened characteristics of each individual origin of coffee out in the bean. Coffee from Tanzania don't have the same characteristics as beans grown in Kenya and Colombian doesn't have the same qualities as Guatemalan, they are all different. If you can't grind it everyday because you don't have a grinder, etc ...
Here are some tips for storage:
1. Buy your coffee whole bean, if possible. Invest in a grinder to truly ensure that you are keeping your beans fresh. Only grind what you needs to make the coffee you want to drink, whole bean coffee stays fresher longer. :)
2. Pick an airtight canister, not glass or clear, but something that you can seal tight. No sunlight should be able to hit the beans, so store it in a cabinet or pantry. Anyway you choose and whatever container your choose it needs to be stored at room temperature.
3. We NEVER suggest freezing coffee. The reason being is because coffee often picks up the flavor of things around it, especially if it's already ground, and the moisture from the freezer/fridge will only dehydrate it and hasten the flavor decay.
4. The fresher the better!! Only buy what you need for the week, we are always open and have coffee :), but that will help decrease the chances of you being stuck with yuck!

Here are some good canisters that we have around the shop ...



vacuum seal canister



vacuum canister set

glass (only for cabinet)