Many people believe that freezing coffee beans will help keep them fresh for longer, others believe that it actually ruins their flavour. So, what's the real deal? We tell you everything you need to know about freezing your coffee beans and why it might just be your secret to a quality cup of coffee every single time.
To Freeze or Not to Freeze? A Guide to Freezing Coffee Beans
Why you should freeze your coffee beans?
The Benefits of Freezing Coffee Beans
- Freezing keeps the flavour better
- Freezing increases grinding quality
- Freezing preserves your beans’ potency
- Freezing beans can ensure you never run out of coffee
- Freezing can help you stock a variety of coffee beans
Step-by-step Guide to Freezing Coffee Beans
- Choose fresh, high-quality beans
- Store the beans in an airtight container
- Label and date the coffee container
- Purchase a vacuum sealer
- Freeze the beans at a constant storage temperature
- Grind the beans and enjoy!
How long does coffee stay good in the freezer?
A Guide to Freezing Containers
Should You Vacuum Seal Coffee Beans?
Tips for Freezing Coffee Beans
- Freeze in small batches
- Store in the coldest part of your freezer
- Store away from strong odours
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does freezing coffee beans change the flavour?
- Can you freeze ground coffee?
- Do you freeze your coffee beans?
- Can coffee beans get freezer burn?
- Can I freeze coffee in its original packaging?
- Should I freeze coffee beans or just store them on my pantry shelf?
Why you should freeze your coffee beans?
Freezing is a common method of preserving goods and it also works for coffee. Freezing your coffee beans can keep them fresh for longer. This is because volatile oils, gases and aromas, which are released as your coffee ages, deteriorate over time. The cold temperatures in a freezer slow down this process and help to maintain the freshness of the beans.
The Benefits of Freezing Coffee Beans
Freezing keeps the flavour
When coffee beans are exposed to air, their delicate aromas and flavours can be lost. Freezing helps slow down this process, keeping the flavour of your coffee beans better preserved for longer periods of time. It is important to freeze coffee beans at their freshest because it is also the peak flavour window.
Freezing increases grinding quality
Coffee beans that have been frozen can be ground much more easily than those that haven't, creating a more even grind with less fines produced.
Freezing preserves your beans’ potency
The freezing process also helps preserve the taste of coffee as it retains its body and other compounds for longer. This means that you can have freshly brewed coffee with a full-bodied flavour and maximum potency every time.
Freezing beans can ensure you never run out of coffee
If you like to go through your coffee beans quickly, then freezing them can be a great way of ensuring you never run out. You can store frozen beans for up to six months and still get the same great taste and quality as if they were freshly roasted
Freezing can help you stock a variety of coffee beans
If you want to experiment with different types of coffee, then freezing is the way to go. You can stock up on a variety of beans and keep them frozen until you're ready to use them. This will also help maintain their freshness for longer periods of time.
So, should you freeze your coffee beans? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. However, if you want to ensure that your coffee beans are always fresh and full of flavour, then freezing them is definitely worth considering. With the right technique and storage methods, freezing can help preserve the quality and taste of your favourite brews for longer periods of time.
Step-by-step Guide to Freezing Coffee Beans
1. Choose fresh, high-quality beans
The better the quality of beans you start with, the fresher and more flavourful your end product will be. Look for freshly roasted beans preferably from specialty coffee roasters and inquire about the roasting date when you make a purchase.
2. Store the beans in an airtight container
Put the coffee beans into an air-tight container, such as an air-tight plastic bag or better still a vacuum-sealed one. Make sure it is completely sealed before putting it into the freezer, as any exposure to air will start the oxidation process and begin to degrade the flavour.
3. Label and date the coffee container
It is important to label and date your airtight storage, as this will help you keep track of when it was frozen. This way, you can make sure that you consume the beans within six months or before.
4. Purchase a vacuum sealer
Having a domestic vacuum sealer can help remove air from the bag, which prevents oxygen from coming into contact with the beans and degrading them over time. This will help to keep your coffee beans fresh and full of flavour for longer periods of time.
5. Freeze the beans at a constant storage temperature
Ideally, coffee beans should be frozen at 0°F (-18°C). If you do not have access to this temperature, then freezing them at a slightly higher temperature can still provide good results.
6. Grind the beans and enjoy!
You can now grind your beans, preferably in a burr grinder or other grinding apparatus. Then it's time to enjoy delicious cups of coffee.
How long does coffee stay good in the freezer?
Coffee beans can generally stay good in the freezer for up to six months when stored properly. After this time, they will start to lose their potency and flavour. Therefore, it is important to label and date your vacuum-sealed bags so that you can keep track of how long they have been stored.
A Guide to Freezing Containers
When it comes to freezing coffee beans, the right container is key. It should be airtight and preferably made of glass or stainless steel. Glass jars with rubber seals are ideal, as they provide a tight seal that prevents oxygen from entering the container. If you have a vacuum sealer, using a resealable bag can also help protect your beans from oxygen.
Should You Vacuum Seal Coffee Beans?
Vacuum sealing can help protect your beans from oxidation and keep them fresh for longer. It also helps to preserve the aromas and flavours of the beans, which makes it worth considering if you plan on freezing your beans for an extended period of time. If you plan to freeze your coffee beans on a regular basis, investing in a vacuum sealer is worth considering.
3 Tips for Freezing Coffee Beans
1. Freeze in small batches
It is best to freeze your beans in small batches so that you can use only the amount that you need. This will help keep them fresh and full of flavour.
2. Store in the coldest part of your freezer
Coffee beans that are stored in the coldest part of the freezer will remain fresher for longer periods of time because this part has fewer temperature fluctuations.
3. Store away from strong odours
It is also important to store your beans away from strong odours, such as garlic and onions, as these can easily be absorbed by the beans resulting to an undesirable coffee taste.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does freezing coffee beans change the flavour?
Freezing coffee beans can actually preserve their flavour and aroma for longer periods of time.
Can you freeze ground coffee?
Yes, you can freeze ground coffee as well. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Do you freeze your coffee beans?
No, we roast and pack our coffee beans in small batches. This way, we can ensure the quality of our coffee beans and that they are as fresh as possible when you receive them.
Can coffee beans get freezer burn?
Yes, coffee beans can get freezer burn. Freezer burn is a type of food spoilage that results from dehydration. When food is exposed to cold air, the ice crystals that form inside the food cause it to lose moisture. This can result in loss of coffee flavour and texture. The best way to avoid freezer burn is to package the beans in a moisture- and vapour-proof material like vacuum-sealed plastic wrap or an airtight container.
Can I freeze coffee in its original packaging?
Yes, you can freeze beans in the original coffee packaging as long as the packaging is airtight.
Should I freeze coffee beans or just store them on my pantry shelf?
It really depends on how long you want them to last. Storing them in the freezer will keep them fresh for up to half a year while storing them on your pantry shelf will only keep them fresh for up to a month from the roast date. We recommend buying in smaller quantities more regularly so you always have fresh coffee on hand.
Suggested reading:
How to Store Coffee Beans to Keep your Beans Fresh
How Long Do Coffee Beans Last? All Your Questions on Coffee Freshness Answered
FAQs
To Freeze or Not to Freeze? A Guide to Freezing Coffee Beans? ›
It's best not to freeze or refrigerate coffee beans you're going to use in the next few weeks because that can expose them to dampness and smells from other foods. Instead, store coffee beans in an opaque, airtight container and keep it in a dark, cool location, away from the stove or other heat sources.
Why shouldn't you freeze coffee beans? ›It's best not to freeze or refrigerate coffee beans you're going to use in the next few weeks because that can expose them to dampness and smells from other foods. Instead, store coffee beans in an opaque, airtight container and keep it in a dark, cool location, away from the stove or other heat sources.
Is it worth freezing coffee beans? ›Freezing preserves your beans' potency
The freezing process also helps preserve the taste of coffee as it retains its body and other compounds for longer. This means that you can have freshly brewed coffee with a full-bodied flavour and maximum potency every time.
Therefore, if you do refrigerate or freeze your beans, be sure to use a truly airtight container. If you choose to freeze your coffee, quickly remove as much as you need for no more than a week at a time, and return the rest to the freezer before any condensation forms on the frozen coffee.
What is the best way to store whole coffee beans? ›Store at room temperature in an airtight container
The NCA recommends storing your beans in an airtight, opaque container that doesn't allow much light to pass through to keep your beans safe from these elements.
Remove as much as you think you can drink in approximately two weeks and place it in an airtight container. Vacuum seal the rest and store in the freezer. Only open it once you've run out of fresh coffee and allow it to completely thaw before opening the vacuum sealed bag.
How long do coffee beans stay fresh in the freezer? ›You can also keep coffee beans in the freezer in sealed containers for 3–4 months. Be sure there is no water present in the container before freezing. However, freezing isn't considered the best way to preserve quality and taste.
Does freezing whole bean coffee keep it fresh? ›The best way to store coffee for longer periods is freezing it. Freezing locks the flavours to the coffee beans and it will keep the coffee in same status as it would be a few days after roasting. Will it taste as good as freshly roasted? Probably not but it will be close.
How do you store ground coffee beans long term? ›Frozen ground coffee can last and keep its freshness for up to two years if the coffee has been vacuum-sealed, but not more than six months if it has not. And when not frozen (e.g., for in-pantry storage), vacuum-sealed coffee can keep its freshness for five to six months.
How long does a bag of whole bean coffee stay fresh? ›Freshly roasted coffee whole coffee beans can last up to a whole year in a sealed package, and one week to a month once opened. Ground coffee beans on the other hand have a shorter shelf life and will stay fresh for a few months unopened, but should be consumed within a few days once opened.
Does freezing coffee beans ruin the flavor? ›
Home Barista also did a much more intense experiment to see if flavor is negatively affected by freezing. Their experiment is much more intense and scientific than serious eats test, and they found that freezing beans does not negatively affect the flavor of coffee beans once brewed.
How do you store coffee beans for 6 months? ›If the whole beans are kept in a sealed or airtight container, whole bean coffee can last for 6 to 9 months in the pantry. Once the beans have been opened and exposed to the air, they last up to 6 months.
Is it OK to grind frozen coffee beans? ›If you want to use coffee stored in the freezer, there is no need to let it defrost: you can use it straight away. Frozen coffee beans have been found to produce a narrower spread of particle and a finer grind size, so you may need to adjust your grinder to a coarser setting depending on how you are making coffee.
What is used to freeze dry coffee? ›After filtration, the coffee extract is dried to get the solid soluble coffee. The liquor is frozen to about -40°C to form a thin layer that is then broken into tiny pieces. These granules are then loaded into the freeze-dryer: both batch and continuous plants are used to freeze-dry the frozen product.