Tips and Tricks for How to Store Fresh Green Coffee Beans

Explore the best ways to store green coffee beans. Our expert tips will help you keep coffee beans freshness intact, preserving taste for longer periods.

What Makes Good Coffee?  

The easiest way to enjoy good coffee is to have the freshest coffee beans. But the question is, how to keep coffee beans fresh for a long time? To do this, the beans need to be cared for from the moment that they are harvested. However, outside of harvesting, picking and plucking - one must also have a reliable and suitable storage solution for the green coffee beans as it will help enhance the aroma and taste of the beans when they are roasted and brewed.

The Answer Is In The Bag

Green coffee beans are porous and hygroscopic. This means they easily absorb and retain moisture. They are also known to absorb flavours and aromas from the air - so your fresh green coffee beans near aromatics, they will absorb the flavours of the aromatics. 

Images of burlap or jute bags of coffee beans spring to mind when most people think of bulk coffee bean storage. Stacks of these bags are commonly seen in photographs of farmers. However, storing green coffee beans in porous bags causes moisture content issues. Plastic bags for green coffee storage are on the opposite end of the spectrum from permeable woven bags. Condensation accumulates in plastic bags, which is an issue with moisture content once again. Green beans may get faded and lose their aroma and flavour as a result of this if it is for long term coffee bean storage. It may also result in mouldy beans.

With both options being two extremes - one too porous and the other not porous at all, coffee storage has made numerous developments in the last few years to tackle the following problems into account: 

• Moisture Content

• Temperature

• Light

• Time

• Pests

• Storage and Packaging Options

Moisture Content: 

Did you know that the moisture levels of coffee changes even before the roasting stage? Coffee beans contain roughly 50% moisture when they are gathered. The moisture level of raw beans has reached roughly 11% by the time they are packed for distribution by producers. 

As you can see, there is very little room for mistakes, from shipment to brewing. Roasters can be certain that they are brewing fresh coffee if the coffee beans have been stored in an atmosphere with a consistent humidity level (about 60%). Mold will form on your beans if the humidity is too high and your beans will dry out and lose taste if the humidity is low. 

Temperature:

Have you ever heard the expression “if it’s comfortable for you, it’s comfortable for your coffee”? Well, when it comes to temperature for storing and transportation, this is the best policy to follow. 

As the temperature of the air rises, it can hold more water molecules. In other words, warmer air has more moisture, but cooler air contains less moisture. As a result, it stands to reason that chilly air is best way to store green coffee beans. Beans should be stored at room temperature, according to most experts. Room temperature can range from 60 * F -  77 * F.

Light:

The majority of coffee growers dry their harvested beans in the sun. This is cost-effective for preserving coffee beans since it does not require the use of any specific equipment. Being under bright light at this point of the coffee bean's journey is just what they require. The moisture levels will be reduced from roughly 50% to 11% as a result of this stage. 

The beans will dry out if they are exposed to more direct sunshine, losing their flavour and aroma. At this point, one should store green coffee beans in a dark room or in an opaque container, according to experts.

Pests:

Pest infestations are more likely to occur in conventional burlap and jute bags, especially if the beans are not dried to the appropriate levels. This can be a problem with traditional fabric bags, so some producers choose to use pesticides to avoid it. Ecotact’s hermetic bags, on the other hand, can help to alleviate the problem because insects would not be able to breach through 9 layers of protection. 

Time:

Long storage durations might cause the beans' quality to deteriorate. The good news is that you may store green coffee beans in a stable, cold, dark, and pest-free environment for up to twelve months without losing critical taste and fragrance properties. Make careful to account for these deadlines in your storage arrangements.

Packaging and Storage Options:

Jute and burlap bags are popular because they provide cost-effective and eco-friendly coffee packaging. But do not offer the right type of security. Hermetic packaging solutions are the way forward for roasters and farmers.  These products such as the Ecotact Multi-layered hermetic Storage Bags, are reusable and durable, making them a greener option. Ecotact’s eco-friendly coffee packaging offers the perfect protection for green beans, securing freshness along with taste and aroma. 

Tips to Store Coffee Beans

Now that we understand the different factors that affect the quality of the green coffee beans while they are being stored, let’s explore different methods to keep your coffee beans as fresh as possible. 

1. Do not freeze or refrigerate your coffee beans.

Coffee beans need to be stored at room temperature in order to preserve the flavour and aroma of the beans. Moreover, by freezing the beans, one would need to open the packaging to retrieve some. This allows for moisture to enter the packaging and would cause the coffee beans to lose their flavour and aroma. Keeping your coffee beans in the fridge will only expose them to moisture and ruin the beans

2. Consider where to store your coffee beans carefully.

One of the most crucial factors to consider is where to keep your coffee beans. You should also keep the beans away from windows. The sun's heat and light may quickly degrade the flavour of your coffee beans. Coffee beans should be kept in a cool, dark cabinet, out of direct sunlight and away from the heat of a stove. 

Ecotact: The Green Packaging Solution 

Ecotact’s hermetic packaging solutions and its Multi-layered Hermetic Storage Bags are more than just bags, they’re tools to ensure that the best quality of coffee reaches consumers across the world. Our eco-friendly coffee packaging is a global presence found in 40+ countries and we’re redefining food storage with our 9 layered bags that are completely eco friendly. Lock in farm freshness from plantations to your plates with the perfect packaging to ensure the best green beans!