Storing Coffee

Scott Kustes · 09-17-2007, 11:16 AM

I discovered the pleasure that is coffee this past weekend. I've never liked it before without gobs of sugar in it, so I have never really drank it other than one here and there when I was in high school to think I was cool cause I drank a cup of coffee. Well, this weekend, I went to Niagara Falls and had a free breakfast buffet. So with my two omelets, 1/2 lb of bacon, sausage, and ham, and fruit (oh, and a waffle with a bit of syrup...it was vacation!) both days, I decided to try some coffee. Obviously my taste buds have changed because it was muy delicioso! And I like it black, but not piping hot. I ended up having like 3 cups the second day and really enjoying the caffeine buzz. And then I picked up a bag of dark roast at the Duty Free on my way back into the States.

So I tell you that long, windy story to ask what is the best way to store coffee. I won't be drinking it daily, so it will last quite some time. Should I put it in the freezer? Fridge? Just a pantry? What's the deal?

Where do I find the stuff that Robb proclaims to be the hotness, Cafe la Llave?

Jay Cohen · 09-17-2007, 12:05 PM

Scott;

Check out Sweet Maria's. Wealth of coffee info. I've bought beans, both green and roasted along with equipment. Plus, great guys that own the company. The better the bean, water, equipment, the better the coffee, trust me on this.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/

Jay

Jonas Lind · 09-17-2007, 12:32 PM

I store my coffee in the freezer. Black Box theory.

Mike ODonnell · 09-17-2007, 12:33 PM

Mine is stored at Cariboo.....but I hear the freezer or airtight containers is how to store it.

Jonas Lind · 09-17-2007, 12:38 PM

Oh, they sell the MoccaMaster:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.technivorm.shtml

I can really recommend the "Technivorm KB-741 Clubline in Chrome"
That brewer has been my solid companion for the last five years.

Scott Kustes · 09-17-2007, 01:09 PM

I'm glad to hear freezer. I assumed that was the proper place, but after putting them there, I worried that I might've ruined it. The good news is that since I don't plan to be a full-time coffee drinker (don't want to lose the sensitivity to the caffeine buzz), I can afford to buy better coffee.

Greg Everett · 09-17-2007, 01:25 PM

you can usually find cafe la llave at albertsons/raley's type stores. comes in a handy little can you can store all your nuts and bolts in later.

Robert Allison · 09-17-2007, 01:28 PM

Generally, you should only freeze coffee that you want to store for longer than a week.

http://www.coffeereview.com/reference.cfm?ID=158

For less than a week, an airtight canister is the way to go--something like this:

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/...-canister.aspx

Greg Davis · 09-17-2007, 02:20 PM

I just empty my bag of starbucks expresso beans that I bought from costco into a couple big mason jars.. which is what I use to store almost everything (different sizes).

Troy Archie · 09-17-2007, 08:22 PM

Freezing coffee is still hottly debated in the coffee (geek) world. From what I've read it's alright if you nitrogen seal the container and then freeze it but other than that moisture will get to it (sublimation).

Unless you know where the coffee is roasted or it has a roasted date, it's probably already stale. Freshly roasted vs otherwise is night and day; trust me I work in a roastery/espresso bar.

You've taken a wise path and skys the limit with this wonderful drink. I've read coffee has more complexities than wine but that's up for debate.

And Jay Cohen is right; Sweat Maria is the shit. As is coffeegeek.