Learn — Should You Freeze Your Coffee?

Freezing Specialty Coffee Beans

As a coffee enthusiast, you know that every cup is a taste exploration waiting to happen. The flavour, aroma, and overall experience can transport you to faraway lands, awakening your senses and invigorating your spirit. In this guide, we'll delve into the best ways to store coffee, the pros and cons of storing in the cupboard versus the freezer, and the remarkable benefits of freezing your coffee beans for their taste and aroma. 

The Best Ways to Store Coffee

Before we delve into the icy debate of freezing coffee beans, it’s important to understand how to store coffee beans properly. To preserve their freshness and flavour, here are a few essential tips:

1. Keep it airtight: Exposure to air can cause oxidation, which leads to staleness. Invest in airtight coffee storage containers, preferably made of glass or ceramic, to keep the oxygen at bay.

2. Darkness is your ally: Light, especially sunlight, is another formidable foe of coffee beans. UV rays can degrade the delicate flavours and aromas. Store your beans in a dark place, away from direct light, to protect their essence.

3. Cool and dry: Heat and moisture are the final adversaries in our battle to preserve coffee's freshness and flavour. Avoid storing beans in warm or humid environments, such as above the stove or near a window. Instead, choose a cool and dry spot, like a pantry or cupboard.

Cupboard vs. Freezer Storage: Which is Best? 

Now that we have the groundwork covered, it's time to weigh the pros and cons of the traditional cupboard storage versus freezing your coffee beans.

Cupboard Storage:

Pros:

• Convenience: It's easy to grab your beans from a cupboard whenever you need them for your daily brew.
• Room temperature: Coffee beans prefer a stable environment, and room temperature usually provides just that.

Cons:

• Limited lifespan: Even with proper storage, coffee beans in the cupboard will inevitably lose their freshness and flavours over time.
• Exposed to oxygen: The longer the beans sit in the cupboard, the more oxygen they encounter, leading to oxidation and staleness.

Freezer Storage:

Pros:

• Extended lifespan: Freezing coffee beans can significantly extend their shelf life, preserving their flavours and aromas for months.
• Protection from oxygen and light: By sealing your beans in airtight containers and freezing them, you shield them from two of their greatest foes.

Cons:

• Potential for flavour loss: Improper freezing or thawing techniques can lead to flavour degradation. Care and precision are crucial in the freezing process.
• Condensation concerns: When beans thaw, condensation can form on their surface, potentially affecting the overall quality of the brew. Top tip: freeze a batch and using it all at once when thawed instead of removing and replacing regularly.

Freezing Your Coffee For Flavour & Aroma

When done right, freezing can unlock a world of flavours and aromas you never thought possible.

1. Preservation of freshness: Freezing coffee beans halts the ageing process, keeping them at their peak freshness for an extended period. Whether you've spent up on a rare and exquisite coffee or simply want to ensure your daily cup is consistently delightful, freezing is your ticket to coffee excellence.

2. Flavour and aroma enhancement: The cold, dark confines of your freezer act as a natural flavour amplifier. When you freeze coffee beans, the aromatic compounds remain intact, waiting to be released upon brewing. This intensification of flavours can be especially beneficial for specialty beans with intricate profiles, allowing you to explore every nuanced note with each sip.

3. Versatility and experimentation: Freezing offers flexibility like no other storage method. You can freeze larger quantities of beans, enabling you to try different brewing techniques, experiment with grind sizes, and discover new coffee experiences at your leisure. It's a playground for the curious coffee explorer in you.

4. Putting a freeze on time: Life is unpredictable, and sometimes circumstances may prevent you from consuming your coffee beans promptly. Freezing ensures that those precious beans remain unscathed until the moment you're ready to brew.

Try Our Batch Frozen Coffee

Our latest lot, Wilton Benitez, is batch frozen to preserve the freshness of this exquisite coffee. We have meticulously roasted, divided and vac-packed these beans to ensure that once they arrive on your doorstep, you can enjoy the explosion of juicy flavour notes in all their glory. Discover Wilton Benitez here.