We have been asked this question many times: you get your delicious whole bean or fresh ground coffee and you want to know how to get the most out of your purchase. Where do you store it? How long does it last? Let’s talk.

It doesn’t seem possible, but roasted coffee does have its enemies: moisture, air, light, and heat. It’s the four horsemen of the coffee world and they can leach the flavor out of your beans. Therefore, it is best to store coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place. DO NOT store your coffee in the freezer! Why? Coffee is porous and therefore it can absorb flavors. This is great if you’re making vanilla flavored coffee, but not so great if you’re storing it with fish. Coffee will also absorb the moisture in your freezer and eventually will deteriorate.

Ground coffee should be used within two weeks for optimum flavor. Honestly, its best to buy whole bean and grind as needed for the best coffee tasting experience. When stored properly in an airtight container, whole bean coffee can be used within a month of roasting.

Green beans will last up to two years without loss of flavor if stored in containers allowed to breathe i.e. burlap or paper bags. Amazing, but we’re lucky if 130lb bag lasts us two weeks thanks to our coffee fiend customers!

So remember, for the best tasting coffee: whole bean, airtight container, no freezer!