Roasted coffee and the smell of roasted coffee beans is something we are all familiar with and when a freshly brewed cup of java is wafting through the house it sets the tone for a great morning, but what about green coffee?
The green coffee trend is taking the world by storm and quickly becoming the go-to purchase option over ready roasted coffee beans, not only because of their longer life span but the art of being your own personal coffee roaster in the comfort of your home.
Freshly roasted coffee that you roasted yourself, with love, just tastes so much better, right?
So, let's dive into the world of green coffee and everything you need to know so you can save money and roast your own beans in the kitchen. Win-win.
The Importance Of Storing Green Coffee
If you want to maintain freshness and prevent quality degradation then storing green coffee beans in the correct way is a must. Many people simply rely on the fact that green coffee beans tend to have a longer shelf life lasting as long as a couple of weeks up to a year IF stored correctly, but we forget that as a hygroscopic product, it can quickly absorb too much moisture from the air and its surroundings.
It is also highly susceptible to taking on strong odors from products around it so try to use vacuum-sealed containers or vacuum packing where possible to lock out any intense aromas.
You ideally want to ensure no added moisture content is absorbed while in storage which can lead to an increased rate of quality deterioration, but also encourage the onset of mold, and using a sealed canister can help with this.
The last thing to take note of when storing green beans whether it be in your home or at your café business is to always keep the coffee away from direct sunlight. Try to store your green coffee in a cool, dark spot, in amber jars in the pantry, or in burlap bags, as long as it is away from sunlight which can impact its quality.
How Long Can Green Coffee Beans Be Stored?
Unless you have top-of-the-line storage facilities where all the coffee beans purchased are properly packaged and stored at a stable temperature, then it can be daunting to consider how best to store your green coffee beans, but it is not impossible.
Frozen green coffee beans have been known to last as long as 2 years, although you can expect them to lose flavor over such an extensive period but not everything.
If, however, you are simply looking to preserve the quality of the beans you have purchased, then proper green coffee storage is a must, and your green coffee beans can stay fresh anywhere from 6-12 months. This is particularly important as a café owner receiving green coffee samples and needing to test their quality and flavor profiles over a few months.
You can extend the shelf life further by investing in high-quality coffee packaging such as hermetic packaging or 4-layer sealed bags with a vacuum seal to rid excess air.
Factors To Consider When Storing Unroasted Coffee Beans
As a food and beverage product categorized as hygroscopic (it easily absorbs moisture and aromas from its environment because of its porous surface) you want to prevent as many negative factors that could impact the quality of your product.
Some preventative measures are easier to implement, and others may take some effort, but if you are purchasing large quantities of coffee beans whether it be green coffee beans or even freshly roasted coffee beans, you want to protect your stock. Here's what to look out for;
Temperature And Moisture
Two crucial elements in the coffee industry impact the final cup quality. When green coffee is first harvested it has an average 50% water ratio, but after sun drying (before the roasting process) this drops to 11% locking in the flavor. Unfortunately, during packaging, shipping, and before brewing it is easy for humidity to creep in if you don't store coffee beans correctly and this can lead to mold growth making your green coffee inedible and unusable.
What is the ideal green coffee bean storage temperature?
A steady temperature of 68-77'F (20-25'C) is an ideal environment to store your green coffee where it is neither too hot nor too cold, but the efficacy is also determined by the type and quality of packaging used. Conventionally packed coffee in jute bags leaves a lot of room for things to go south quickly and is not recommended for long-term storage of raw coffee if you want it to stay fresh, irrespective of the room is the ideal temperature.
Oxygen
When the green coffee bean is exposed to oxygen it accelerates the degrading process and the flavors and aromas are lost quicker, to preserve quality be sure to store the beans in a vacuum-sealed container, opaque, ambient-colored glass jar (like a mason jar) which has a locked sealed mechanism.
While your local roasters store may sell packs of coffee in beautifully designed paper bags, whether it be coffee grounds or green coffee beans, you want to decant it into an airtight container for proper storage and lock out any possible oxygen.
Light
Direct sunlight is a nightmare for green coffee beans which quickly lose flavor, aroma, and any remaining moisture after their initial sun drying. Ensure all your coffee-filled airtight containers are placed in a dark place away from light.
Pests
Small insects are in heaven when it comes to moisture but they are the last thing you need or want for your coffee, never mind in your home. Always remove coffee from any plastic bags which are easy for mice or rats to get into and transfer the beans to an airtight container or specialty hermetic coffee bags placed higher up and off the floor.
Is it better to keep coffee beans in the fridge or freezer?
While both options are not ideal or recommended especially if you plan to roast coffee in the next few weeks, you would do better to store your coffee in a deep freezer which is opened less often than your everyday fridge-freezer. Frozen coffee has a long life span, but you do compromise on flavor and aromatic intensity.
However, storing ground coffee or roasted beans, or any coffee for that matter in the fridge is a big no. Its porous surface will have a field day absorbing in all the flavors from the surrounding products, and suddenly you end up with a morning coffee that tastes like lasagna. No, thank you.
Best Containers For Storing Green Coffee Beans
Hermetic packing is an investment worth considering if coffee is your business, but there are more budget-friendly options that won't break the bank but will save your coffee. Such as;
Airtight Bags Or Containers
This helps lock out moisture, oxygen, and light (if you use an opaque jar) which preserves freshness.
Vacuum Sealed Containers
If you enjoy a flavorful cup of coffee then opting for vacuumed packaging is key. It is also useful for purchasing smaller quantities and opening only a small bag each time to get coffee rather than a large bag which once opened already begins the degrading process.
Tips For Storing Your Green Coffee Beans
Who doesn't love a helping hand, right, and with these quick tips you can store coffee beans at home that last that much longer.
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Keep your beans (or ground coffee) away from the heat of the stove and the kitchen window
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Coffee roasters will tell you that storing coffee up off the floor is key to pest prevention
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Always store your coffee in a dark, cool, and most importantly dry place to encourage its longevity
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Keep your coffee beans in a neutral smelling environment away from harsh and intense aromas which are easily absorbed
Conclusion
If you love the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans wafting through the house early in the morning, then roasting your own green coffee may be just what you need. Opt for quality over quantity and you will always enjoy a decadent sip.
