Stop Storing Your Coffee Like This (Do This Instead!)

About this video

• Video Title: Stop Storing Your Coffee Like This (Do This Instead!)
• Channel: Matteo D'Ottavio
• Speakers: Matteo D'Ottavio
• Duration: 00:23:45

Overview

This video explains the science behind proper coffee storage to maintain freshness and flavor. Matteo D'Ottavio, a food technologist, details factors like light, heat, moisture, oxygen, and water activity, and contrasts common mistakes with recommended methods, including freezing and vacuum sealing.

Key takeaways

• Coffee is a complex organic substance: It contains over a thousand compounds, including carbs, proteins, lipids (oils), acids, and volatile organic compounds, all of which are delicate and vulnerable to degradation.
• The "Dark, Cool, Dry Place" rule: This is the fundamental principle for storing coffee to protect it from light (which degrades aroma compounds), heat (which speeds up oxidation), and moisture (which coffee readily absorbs due to its hygroscopic nature).
• Water Activity Matters: This measures free water available for microbial growth and chemical reactions. Lower water activity leads to better shelf stability. Coffee naturally has a low water activity, but absorbing moisture from the environment increases this, leading to spoilage.
• Oxygen is a primary enemy: Oxygen causes oxidation, leading to stale, flat-tasting coffee. Minimizing oxygen exposure through airtight containers, vacuum sealing, or even nitrogen-flushed bags is crucial.
• Freezing requires care: While effective for long-term storage, simply tossing coffee into the freezer can introduce moisture and accelerate oxidation due to repeated opening and closing. The best method is vacuum-sealing single doses before freezing and allowing them to reach ambient temperature before opening.
• Vacuum storage is highly effective: Removing air, particularly oxygen, significantly extends freshness. However, excessive vacuum pressure can damage beans or extract aromatic compounds. A moderate vacuum (around -20 to -30 PSI) is ideal for everyday storage.
• Common mistakes to avoid: Storing coffee in the fridge (due to humidity and odors), using clear jars exposed to light, keeping coffee in open or poorly sealed bags, storing near heat sources, mixing old and new beans, and storing coffee near spices.