Coffee bean storage
Encyclopedia
Coffee bean storage is a broad term describing the packaging and preservation
of coffee beans throughout the process from harvesting to brewing. Although the term is applicable to many phases of this process, it is typically applied to ideal home storage for maximum consumer coffee
enjoyment.
and the seeds have been soaked, they are set out to sun-dry for a period of one week. The beans are periodically raked to ensure even drying. Once dried, the beans will form a thin, paper-like shell called parchment. Once formed, the parchment will increase the beans’ storage life considerably.
When the beans are ready, the parchment is removed, and the beans are graded and sorted according size, weight and defects. The sorted beans are then stored in 60 or 70 kg sacks called sisal
bags that help the beans retain moisture for a longer period of time. The storage time cannot exceed one year for the beans to be considered a current crop. If the green coffee remains in storage for longer than a year, it is considered old crop, and is less valuable because of its drier state.
, it is either packaged immediately for sale, or ground and then packaged for sale. Packages used are typically either an airtight plastic container or vacuum-sealed wrapping, or a folded-over bag with a two-way air valve. Each type of package has its own advantages. While the airtight containers allow maximum freshness of the bean, and prolong the shelf life of the product, the valve allows the customer to smell the coffee before purchase and discern the quality and type of the blend.
Roasted whole beans are best stored in airtight containers out of the light. The best material choices for the container are ceramic
, or opaque glass
. Plastic
and metal
will alter the flavor of the coffee bean. In addition, for the first week of storage, containers should be opened to vent out the carbon dioxide
gas that will be produced by the roasted beans to prevent the gas from changing the quality of the coffee.ref name='CTS' /> Whole bean roasted coffee stored in this manner will last for about two weeks. If the beans are frozen, however, the flavor can last for around a month. Refrigeration alone will not achieve the same effect on the storage life of the bean. Once beans are frozen, leaving them frozen until brewing
best preserves the flavor of the coffee. Frozen beans will grind the same as unfrozen beans, but refreezing beans alters the quality of the coffee.
Coffee grounds are stored in airtight ceramic or glass containers, like roasted beans. Due to increased total surface area
of coffee grounds, the grounds go stale in days, rather than weeks. In addition, freezing has no effect in increasing the storage life of coffee grounds.
Food preservation
Food preservation is the process of treating and handling food to stop or slow down spoilage and thus allow for longer storage....
of coffee beans throughout the process from harvesting to brewing. Although the term is applicable to many phases of this process, it is typically applied to ideal home storage for maximum consumer coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
enjoyment.
Green coffee
After the cherries are put through the pulperPulper
In agriculture, a pulper is a machine designed to remove pulp i.e. the soft flesh from agricultural produce. For example, in coffee growing the ripe, red cherries are picked from the coffee bushes and prior to fermentation and later drying the soft pulp needs to be removed...
and the seeds have been soaked, they are set out to sun-dry for a period of one week. The beans are periodically raked to ensure even drying. Once dried, the beans will form a thin, paper-like shell called parchment. Once formed, the parchment will increase the beans’ storage life considerably.
When the beans are ready, the parchment is removed, and the beans are graded and sorted according size, weight and defects. The sorted beans are then stored in 60 or 70 kg sacks called sisal
Sisal
Sisal is an agave that yields a stiff fibre traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. The term may refer either to the plant or the fibre, depending on context...
bags that help the beans retain moisture for a longer period of time. The storage time cannot exceed one year for the beans to be considered a current crop. If the green coffee remains in storage for longer than a year, it is considered old crop, and is less valuable because of its drier state.
Roast coffee
Once a coffee bean is roastedCoffee roasting
Roasting coffee transforms the chemical and physical properties of green coffee beans into roasted coffee products. The roasting process is what produces the characteristic flavor of coffee by causing the green coffee beans to expand and to change in color, taste, smell, and density...
, it is either packaged immediately for sale, or ground and then packaged for sale. Packages used are typically either an airtight plastic container or vacuum-sealed wrapping, or a folded-over bag with a two-way air valve. Each type of package has its own advantages. While the airtight containers allow maximum freshness of the bean, and prolong the shelf life of the product, the valve allows the customer to smell the coffee before purchase and discern the quality and type of the blend.
Home storage
Once bought, the method of storage used depends on the type coffee purchased. Green beans store the best in cooled airtight containers, and can easily last in this state for a year without losing flavor.Roasted whole beans are best stored in airtight containers out of the light. The best material choices for the container are ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
, or opaque glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
. Plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
and metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
will alter the flavor of the coffee bean. In addition, for the first week of storage, containers should be opened to vent out the carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
gas that will be produced by the roasted beans to prevent the gas from changing the quality of the coffee.ref name='CTS' /> Whole bean roasted coffee stored in this manner will last for about two weeks. If the beans are frozen, however, the flavor can last for around a month. Refrigeration alone will not achieve the same effect on the storage life of the bean. Once beans are frozen, leaving them frozen until brewing
Coffee preparation
Coffee preparation is the process of turning coffee beans into a beverage. While the particular steps needed vary with the type of coffee desired and with the raw material being utilized, the process is composed of four basic steps; raw coffee beans must be roasted, the roasted coffee beans must...
best preserves the flavor of the coffee. Frozen beans will grind the same as unfrozen beans, but refreezing beans alters the quality of the coffee.
Coffee grounds are stored in airtight ceramic or glass containers, like roasted beans. Due to increased total surface area
Surface area
Surface area is the measure of how much exposed area a solid object has, expressed in square units. Mathematical description of the surface area is considerably more involved than the definition of arc length of a curve. For polyhedra the surface area is the sum of the areas of its faces...
of coffee grounds, the grounds go stale in days, rather than weeks. In addition, freezing has no effect in increasing the storage life of coffee grounds.