Shelf Life of Coffee Beans: How to Store More than 24 Months

Storing properly is essential for maintaining the quality of green coffee beans. By understanding the ideal conditions, selecting the right container, and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure your beans retain their flavor and aroma for longer. When stored properly, the shelf life of coffee beans can be about 24 months. Let’s discover more in the following post!

1. Moisture of Green Coffee Beans: Why moisture matters

The moisture content of green coffee beans is a critical factor. The moisture can significantly influence the quality, flavor, and shelf life of coffee beans. The ideal moisture content for green coffee beans typically ranges between 10% to 12.5%. This spot ensures optimal flavor development during roasting. It also prevents issues like mold growth and brittleness.

High moisture content in green coffee beans can lead to: 

Mold and mildew: Excess moisture creates a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

Flavor degradation: The delicate flavor compounds can deteriorate, leading to a less enjoyable flavor.

However, low moisture content can improve the following factors:

Brittleness: Dry beans are more prone to breakage, affecting their overall quality.

Flavor loss: Low moisture can lead to a loss of aroma and flavor intensity.

Tips for maintaining optimal moisture levels

• Proper storage: Store your green coffee beans in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
• Regular checking: Use a moisture meter to check the moisture content periodically.
• Desiccants: Consider using desiccants to absorb excess moisture in the storage environment.

2. Shelf life of Coffee Beans and how to store Coffee Beans

Green coffee beans contain oils, proteins, and sugars. These components are easy to be spoiled when exposed to certain environmental factors. Humidity, temperature, light, and oxygen are the primary reasons for deteriorating bean quality.

Ideal storage conditions

To store green coffee beans, it’s essential to create an optimal storage environment. Here are natural factors that affect the coffee beans:

• Temperature: The ideal storage temperature for green coffee beans is between 13°C to 18°C. Temperatures outside this range can accelerate aging and impact flavor.
• Humidity: Low humidity is crucial. The ideal relative humidity is 11% or lower. High humidity promotes mold growth and can lead to coffee bean spoilage.
• Light: Green coffee beans are sensitive to light. So, store them in a dark place to prevent premature aging and flavor loss.
• Oxygen: Oxygen is a catalyst for oxidation, which can negatively affect the taste. Airtight containers are essential to minimize oxygen exposure.

Choosing the right container

The container plays a vital role in preserving bean freshness.

• Airtight containers: Choose containers with airtight seals to protect beans from oxygen, moisture, and odors.
• Material: Glass, metal, and food-grade plastic are suitable options. Avoid containers made from materials that can impart odors or flavors.
• Size: Choose a container that fits your coffee consumption needs to minimize air exposure. Overlarge containers can lead to increased oxidation.
• Storage location: The ideal storage location is cool, dark, and dry. A pantry or basement can be suitable options. Avoid storing beans near appliances that generate heat or strong-smelling substances.

Additional tips for long-term storage of Coffee Beans

Several common mistakes can reduce the quality of green coffee beans:

• Incorrect temperature and humidity: Fluctuations in temperature and high humidity levels can accelerate bean deterioration.
• Exposure to light: As mentioned above, light can affect the flavor badly.
• Using non-airtight containers: Oxygen exposure can lead to oxidation and flavor loss.
• Storing near strong-smelling substances: Coffee beans are porous and can absorb surrounding odors.

For long-term storage, consider these additional tips:

• Small batch storage: Divide green coffee beans into smaller batches to minimize exposure when opening the container.
• Freezing green coffee beans: This is also a good option for preserving coffee beans. However, it can also affect their texture and flavor due to low temperature. So, use this method cautiously.

Proper storage is essential for maintaining the exceptional quality of green coffee beans. By understanding the ideal conditions, selecting the right container, and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure your beans retain their flavor and aroma for longer. When stored properly, the shelf life of coffee beans can be extended by over 24 months.

About us

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing Premium Coffee Beans Products, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.

We are confident in our ability to deliver products that consistently meet the highest quality standards while offering competitive pricing within the market. Furthermore, we are committed to providing exceptional customer support throughout your entire experience. Please contact us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.