For one to get the perfect brew, coffee beans need to be cared for meticulously. That aromatic taste can only be had if all the steps in harvesting, processing, and even transporting coffee beans are sure to be exact.
Failure to secure the beans during these steps can lead to a disappointing batch or, even worse, loss due to spoilage. One important step that can easily be overlooked is safely storing the beans.
This step is significant because the quality of the coffee is directly affected by how the beans are stored. Thus, it is important to follow only the best practices when storing coffee beans. Here are a few of such best practices:
1. Keep the coffee beans away from moisture. This step ensures that oxidation does not occur and the quality is retained. Keeping the coffee beans in a cool, dry area can keep away moisture and even mold growth.
2. Use gas-tight storage bags. Doing this guarantees that no contaminants can affect the coffee beans. Additionally, gas-tight storage bags also lock in the freshness of the beans.
3. Keep the beans away from insects. Though there are not many insects that infest green coffee beans, it is still an important move so every batch is pure. Storing the beans in areas where insects can be controlled is a step worth taking.
4. Store green coffee beans for a maximum of 1 year. Sometimes, roasters order a larger amount of beans than necessary and these end up being stored for a longer period than intended. This is a situation when roasters and traders have to "move" the stocks. Storing coffee beans for more than 1 year may affect freshness, resulting in less-than-stellar roasts and brews.
5. Do not open and close the containers repeatedly. Constantly exposing the coffee beans can result in a loss of freshness. The best way to store coffee is to keep the gas-tight bags sealed until the stock will be used. Storing the coffee beans in small quantities, such as in 15 kg bags, can help preserve the fine quality that coffee connoisseurs love.
Having a holistic storage solution for coffee is one of the best practices that roasters, traders, and producers can adopt. Post-harvest issues such as loss of quality and volume can lead to a decrease in prices and, ultimately, profits. When this happens, everyone in the chain, from producers to processors and traders up to consumers, loses.
To prevent this from happening, GrainPro developed storage solutions that can address quality and quantity loss. By using gas-tight and moisture-tight GrainPro bags, the coffee’s aroma, taste, and freshness can be preserved from farm to cafe.
Learn more about GrainPro's world-famous storage solutions with superior barrier properties by clicking the button below.
Related: 4 Ways to Keep Coffee Fresh
Related: Winning the War Against Stale, Mold-flavored Coffee
Related: Importance of Moisture Content in Coffee Processing
Topics: Storage Post-harvest management Coffee