Should You Store Your Coffee Beans In The Freezer?

The traditional method of storing Coffee has taken many blows recently. Coffee was traditionally best kept in the freezer. Specialty coffee then arrived and declared it to be evil. Recent studies support the benefits of storing Coffee in the freezer.

It is unclear.

I want to delve deep to learn the real story of freezing coffee beans. I want to gather the information you need to preserve your Coffee as fresh as possible for as long as possible by finding the facts and separating them from conjecture.

The ultimate goal should be to make fresh Coffee because it is undoubtedly the best Coffee.

This one will become more technical, but you should read through it if you’re committed to making the best Coffee possible.

The Indisputable Principles Of Storing Coffee Beans

Let’s quickly review what is known regarding coffee bean storage before getting too technical. When it comes to food preservation of any kind, they are non-negotiables; thus, any assertion regarding freezer storage must be in line with them.

First of all, oxygen ruins food, including Coffee. When preserving food, a tight seal that minimizes the free flow of oxygen is ideal.

Second. Darkness ruins Coffee. Light, whether from the sun or a lamp, causes organic cell structures to degrade—a process known as photodegradation. The best storage containers are opaque ones.

Third, Coffee is killed by heat. Molecules move and break apart more quickly in hotter environments, which accelerates the growth of bacteria.

Fourth, Coffee is ruined by dampness. Humid conditions promote the growth of bacteria and can quickly change the moisture content of the beans, destroying the flavor.

See our Simple Guide to Coffee Bean Storage for a more in-depth look at these ideas and other storage techniques.

The Reluctant Parties to Coffee Bean Freezing Storage

The specialty coffee community has long frowned upon Coffee in the freezer. The core claim of the debate is that freezers and refrigerators have high humidity levels.

Due to their low moisture content, roasted coffee beans are hygroscopic—they can absorb moisture from their surroundings. Their initial flavors turn murky and off-putting when they absorb moisture. The beans become a shadow of what they once were in terms of flavor.

This humidity in a freezer is bundled with flavors from neighboring items. You don’t want to wake up to this in the morning: Coffee that has absorbed the smells of lasagna or garlic.

See also: 5 Things That Make Coffee Bad.

Moreover, humidity hastens the chemical structure of coffee beans to break down. A rise in bean moisture can set off hundreds of chemical reactions. You want this to happen when you brew Coffee regularly, not while it’s stored.

Since microorganisms frequently require water to break down food, they also flourish in humid environments. Although it’s improbable, microbiological growth can occur in freezers.

If you only store the beans in a dry, airtight container, you can easily avoid all of these problems; you might be thinking. That was also my initial thought. Then I came onto this.

The surface of your food or coffee beans quickly becomes covered in condensation when you open an airtight container just taken out of the freezer. The condensation causes all of the humidity problems we are discussing right away.

For now, be aware that storing coffee beans in your freezer has a million and one potential problems.

See: How Coffee Aroma Is Tasted

Currently, there is just one (and only one) way to prevent the death of the coffee bean after being frozen.

The Cases in Favor of Freezing Coffee Beans

The main argument in favor of storing coffee beans in a freezer is that, when done properly, it can extend the beans’ shelf life.

As you just read, it’s more complicated to do this correctly, but I’ll show you how.

If you have more beans than you will consume in the following two or three weeks, freezing them can help maintain their freshness and flavor as long as they are kept in an airtight container.

This renders the bag your beans arrive in when you purchase them invalid. Your beans will need to be repackaged into something different.

See also: The Ideal Water Temperature for Coffee.

Please keep them in lesser quantities; they should last about a week. Before opening the container, once you remove the beans, let them fully thaw to room temperature. Premature opening of the container will result in the unpleasant condensation that kills Coffee.

The Debacle of Cold Grinding

Recent studies have generated much controversy since they suggest that cold coffee beans grind more evenly and uniformly. This has led many to conclude that cold-ground coffee beans have a higher flavor.

Although the research itself is technically correct, how news sources present it needs to be more accurate. There’s no evidence to suggest that the flavor quality has increased.

The study examined the consistency of coffee grinds made at various temperatures. They discovered that the consistency of the ground particles increases with bean temperature.

They found that Coffee kept at a cold temperature may be ground more consistently. But coffee grounds are far better when stored at liquid nitrogen temperatures (-320 degrees Fahrenheit).

Take note of the true focus of the study, which is ground homogeneity at various temperatures.

Note that the effect on flavor is not the subject of the research.

The condensation when your beans come out of the freezer should be discussed. Regarding the quality of the flavor, nothing is claimed.

See also: Burrs vs. Blades: Which Is the Best Coffee Grinder?

That being said, the claim that freezing your coffee beans would improve its flavor is just that—a claim. There is no evidence that better ground uniformity helps prevent condensation from harming your coffee beans.

Here’s What You Should Be Doing Practically

Here’s the situation: Small quantities of coffee beans can partially retain their freshness by being kept in an airtight container. If the container is airtight and you let the beans thaw completely before opening it, it is possible.

If you schedule enough time in advance for the thawing period, it’s fairly effective.

But there is nothing that can replace freshly ground and roasted Coffee. Your burr coffee grinder is essential to brew the best Coffee you can.You may grind those whole beans into ground coffee with a coffee grinder. A coffee grinder keeps them whole and fresh until you’re ready to ground and brew those beans. Taste and balance are two areas where a coffee grinder makes a difference.

The JavaPresse Burr Coffee Grinder boasts strong ceramic burrs and is compact and lightweight. It’s made to give you the freedom to use any brewer and make the greatest, freshest Coffee possible.

The grinder is a coffee lover’s best buddy, freezer or not.