Q: What is the best way to store coffee?
A: Staling of coffee increases dramatically with time, temperature, surface area, and exposure to light, oxygen and moisture. Whole bean coffee can stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for weeks. Coffee will stale quickly after it is ground, so only grind the amount you are going to use. Coffee releases carbon dioxide gas for a couple of days after roasting, enough to pressurize a normal airtight container. Zecuppa Coffee bags your coffee immediately after roasting in a foil bag equipped with a one way valve. The valve bag allows gas to escape, but will not let air or moisture in. As the beans degas inside the bag, carbon dioxide gas pushes out much of the oxygen and moisture in the air, allowing the coffee to stay fresh for many weeks at room temperature as long as the bag is unopened. Once the valve bag is opened, beans should be placed in an airtight container and used within one week. If the quantity of coffee in the opened bag is too large to be used in one week, repackage the whole beans in smaller airtight containers and place in the refrigerator. Unopened valve bags can be placed in the freezer to maintain coffee flavor and freshness for many months. To avoid air and ice affecting the beans, do not refreeze previously frozen coffee bags.