The way people store their coffee beans is driving me crazy

Last week I visited my buddy's place and saw he keeps his bag of beans right next to the stove, basically getting steamed every time he cooks. I told him that heat and moisture kill the flavor fast but he just shrugged. Has anyone else noticed how many folks just toss their beans anywhere without thinking about it?

3 comments

3 Comments

emery1993d ago

I'm more concerned about the air. Nobody talks about oxygen unless they're deep into home roasting, but that's the real flavor thief. @the_eric might be right that a little heat isn't the end of the world, but letting beans sit in a half-empty bag for weeks while air slowly leaks in makes them go stale way faster than a warm spot on the counter. I've done side by sides with beans that were stored open versus vacuum sealed and the difference is obvious even to my non-snob friends. Your buddy's beans are probably fine for him, but if he ever tries fresh beans from an airtight container, he'll never go back.

the_eric3d ago

People get way too wound up about this stuff. I've had coffee that sat in a hot car for a few hours and it still tasted fine to me. Most people can't tell the difference between a bean that was stored perfectly and one that sat near a toaster for a week. Your buddy probably makes coffee that tastes just as good as yours, your mileage may vary. There's so much gatekeeping in coffee culture that makes people feel bad for no reason. Unless you're a super taster or paying for some rare single origin stuff, a little heat won't ruin your morning cup.

susanm561d ago

emery199 makes a good point about air... I read somewhere that oxygen is actually the worst enemy of coffee beans, even worse than heat. Airtight containers make a real difference.