Freshness starts before you brew

A great cup can lose its edge before the water ever touches the grounds. Coffee slowly gives up its aroma after roasting, and grinding exposes much more surface area to the air. Storage will not stop that process, but it can slow down the everyday causes of stale coffee.

You do not need a special cabinet or expensive equipment. A sensible container and a few repeatable habits will do most of the work.

Keep air, heat, light, and moisture in mind

Store coffee in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, dark cupboard. Air carries away aroma over time, while heat and direct sunlight speed up flavor changes. Moisture is especially unwelcome because coffee readily absorbs it and can pick up nearby odors.

A kitchen counter is fine if the container is opaque and away from the stove and sunny windows. A clear jar may look inviting, but a cupboard is a better home for it.

The refrigerator is usually a poor fit

A refrigerator exposes coffee to humidity, temperature changes, and strong food smells whenever the container is opened. For the bag you are using this week, a cupboard is simpler and generally better.

If you buy enough coffee to last a long time, freezing can be useful. Divide unopened or well sealed coffee into small portions, remove one portion at a time, and let it come to room temperature before opening. Repeatedly opening a cold bag encourages condensation.

Buy an amount you will enjoy while it is fresh

A huge bargain bag is not much of a bargain if the last half tastes flat. Think about how many cups your household makes and buy an amount you can comfortably use in the coming weeks. Keep the bag sealed between brews and close it promptly after measuring.

Whole beans generally hold their character longer than preground coffee. If you have a grinder, grind just before brewing. If you buy coffee ground for your brewer, a smaller quantity and a good seal matter even more.

Let your cup tell you when to restock

Coffee does not switch from good to bad on a single date. Notice the aroma when you open the bag and the flavor in the cup. If a familiar coffee seems dull despite using the same recipe and clean equipment, freshness may be part of the answer.

A little care between brew days helps the coffee taste more like the bag you chose.

Choose a fresh bag from Cimarron Coffee Company and give it a good place to live.