How to store coffee beans: the first 30 days after roasting

Freshly roasted coffee is not at its best straight after roasting; in the first days the beans still release carbon dioxide and brewing is uneven. Proper storage keeps the taste for weeks. We look at the 30 days after roasting in four stages.

Days 0–3: degassing

Right after roasting the beans release a lot of carbon dioxide. That is why our bags have one-way valves; gas escapes and oxygen cannot get in. For espresso the first three days are usually very “gassy” and creamy but unbalanced, and for filter slightly early.

Days 4–14: the best window

Most coffees reach their sweetest and most balanced in this period. Light roasts (Ethiopia, Kenya) give their best on days 5–10, dark roasts on days 7–14. In our cafés we use the espresso blend 7 days after roasting.

Days 15–30: a slow decline

Aromas gradually fade but the coffee is drinkable. In this stage it is a good idea to turn to more tolerant methods such as cold brew or the moka pot.

After 30 days

Oils oxidise and the taste turns woody. Instead of throwing these beans away you can use them for cold brew concentrate; still, our advice is to finish a bag within 4–6 weeks.

Four rules for proper storage

• Air: Close the bag tightly after each use, ideally with the air pressed out.
• Light: A glass jar looks good but light spoils coffee; prefer an opaque container.
• Heat: Above the hob or oven is unsuitable; a cool, dry cupboard is ideal.
• Moisture: Beans taken out of the fridge pick up moisture; the freezer makes sense only for long storage and only if portioned into small amounts.

Ground or whole bean?

Ground coffee goes stale about ten times faster than whole beans. If possible buy whole beans and grind just before brewing; a hand grinder is a cheap and effective way to do it. If you do not have a grinder, just choose the grind size when ordering; we grind on shipping day.

The roast date on the bag is the most reliable measure of freshness; plan around this date rather than a “best before” date.

A practical reminder

If you have a subscription, plan so that you finish the old bag before the new one arrives. As our orders ship within 48 hours of roasting, your beans are already 4–5 days old when they reach your door, which is an ideal start for filter. Instead of stockpiling at home, we suggest ordering what you need, often.

Finally, if you transfer beans from the bag into a jar, be sure to choose a lidded, opaque container; tracking the roast date with a written label inside also makes things easier.