Storing Coffee in Freezer Best Way to Keep It Fresh

LOS ANGELESStoring coffee bags in the freezer once they are opened is the best way to maintain the quality, aroma and flavor of the coffee, according to a new study commissioned on behalf of F. Gaviña & Sons, Inc., producers of Don Franciscos Coffee.

The independent study, spearheaded by Don Franciscos Coffees in-house Q Graders (professionally accredited coffee cuppers who are exclusively certified by the Coffee Quality Institute® - CQI), examined a variety of coffee samples stored in three different environments: the freezer 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the refrigerator 36 degrees Fahrenheit and on a counter room temperature at 72 degrees Fahrenheit over a 12 week period. A sample from each storage environment was cupped and tested for moisture every two weeks; then brewed and checked for color consistency every four weeks. Throughout the 12 weeks, the samples were cupped and tasted in a blind taste test by three resident Q Graders at Don Franciscos Coffee headquarters.

Results revealed the best cup of coffee is achieved starting with whole beans stored in an airtight container in the freezer for a maximum of six weeks. For pre-ground coffee, the maximum storage time decreases to about four weeks.