CoffeeNate #19 :: How To Store Coffee

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Hello again my dear and highly valued coffee friends!  Today I’m addressing a popular topic, they question that I receive most often.  I figured that it deserved it’s own show… proper coffee storage.  I continually get asked whether coffee should be stored in the fridge..in the freezer…ground…etc.  The answer to all of those questions is a resounding “NO freaking way!”  Did you know that coffee in the grocery store is typically six months old…or older?  Did you know that coffee is considered fresh up to 15 days after the roasting process?  Uh…15 days…6 months?  Hmmm.  Sadly, the majority of us have been trained and accustomed to drinking stale coffee!  In order to properly store coffee, you must first purchase fresh coffee in the first place!

So now you know all of the don’ts, here are the do’s. 

• Purchase only fresh roasted, whole bean coffee.
• After opening the package, store your beans in an area that is free from moisture, temperature extremes, light, and oxygen.  For the first few days after roasting, exposure to air is not an issue.  The beans emit CO2, which repels the oxygen and protects the coffee’s flavor.
• After 3 weeks give your left over coffee, if any, to a friend

Now, the best way to store ground coffee…in the garbage can!  That’s my honest answer.  The coffee bean is it’s own container, protecting the delicate, flavorful oils inside.  Once ground, these oils begin to evaporate, and thus begins the staling of the coffee.  This process begins the moment the ground coffee contacts oxygen.

DON’T FORGET THE SPECIAL FOR COFFEENATE VISITORS!

For a limited time (until October 15th 2009) when you purchase any coffee, brewer, or accessory from the Coffee Beanery, CoffeeNate visitors will receive a special discount of %25! There is NO MINIMUM purchase required, and all you have to do is visit the Coffee Beanery’s site, and use the coupon code: CoffeeNate09 when ordering.  A great coffee of theirs is the Guatemalan Fair Trade for only $12.99/lb…plus the %25 discount make this an unbelievable offer!  Yummy yummy!!