Can anyone tell me the best way to store fresh roasted coffee beans.

I know they need to be stored in an airtight container but am getting conflicting reports as to whether they should be refrigerated or not.

Also what would be the effective life of the beans.

Thanks.


Derek

Derek,

I generally store whole coffee beans at room temperature in a large airtight glass jar and have never  had any problems, however I do live in a cooler climate than yourself and this method may not be appropriate for warmer QLD climatic conditions.

It may be worthwhile refrigerating a batch for a period of time and then, compare its flavour with a non refrigerated lot.

The most important thing I have found in maintaining the flavour of coffee is to freshly grind just enough beans for the pot each time you prepare a brew, because I have found that ground coffee beans do lose their flavour with storage.

Good question that Derek.
It is not recommended by those in the know to keep beans in the refrigerator. I only buy the Vittoria beans (Espresso) and keep them in the bag with a peg in the dark/cool which is the bottom of the pantry and they stay fresh and smell like coffee beans should.

SJ is right when he says a fresh grind for each brew.
Muzz taught me a trick with fresh brewed coffee a small pinch of salt into the peculator at the start is the grouse, isn't that right Muzz. ;)


All the best
Skip

So the smell of coffee got you sailing in Skip  :D  :D

Nice to know your back in harbour.

Yes that is right Skip.
Good to see on site again..not that we lost touch.
Muzz