Keeping Beans Fresh

[shadow745]

A properly designed vacuum canister will hold a vacuum indefinitely. I bought these...

3-Piece Vacuum Canisters Set- Foodsaver-Appliances-Small Kitchen Appliances-Vacuum Sealers

and have been using them for 3-4 years now. They are very durable with a great seal design. I did have to make an adapter to use them with the FoodSaver hose, but it works well.

I do believe using the bags allows more air to be vacuumed out though simply because they collapse around the product inside, but of course that is an added cost when compared to reusable canisters. The bag material can be used more than once, but it will be shorter and hold less due to the process involved.

 

[3CatsNoMice]

There are 2 types of canister lids. One style you can "plug in" the vacuum hose directly - Example here Look closely at pic. The button is what releases the vacuum and the hole next to it is where you plug in the hose in "make" the vacuum.

The 2nd style is shown in shadow745's link. These can be easily sealed by using the "jar adapter" See Here Just lay the adapter on the lid and start the pump.

I have both style lids and use the adapter on both thus not having to remove and re-attach the hose each time.

The canisters work great for me - you can hear the hiss and sniff the aroma.

 

[3CatsNoMice]

Good idea with the suction cup... I used the jar sealer as I already had one - it came with my original FoodSaver "kit" quite some time ago. Also, if you have a chance, check your "attachment link" - I couldn't get it to work.

 

[madamecoffee]

Once your coffee original packaging is opened, coffee loses its freshness quickly. For storing coffee its better to use clear, glass canisters or clear plastic ware with airtight gaskets and keep in a cool, dark place.





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[richa]

Fresh Beans are classified into two basic categories: edible pod beans and shell ...Storage: Keep green beans dry in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.

 

[3CatsNoMice]

Good move with the FoodSaver. I've used one for years with great results...

 

[chameleos]

I think a way to keep beans really fresh is using them timely. If you do want to store them for a long time, I suggest to keep them in a qualified vacuum sealer. Becteria and ferments can't survive in vacuum, so the beans won't turn sour. I have one vacuum sealer from crazysales, but I usually seal some beans for customers because they are spending a long time consuming them. It is a good way for them to keep beans in a good condition.
As I said, the best way is to drink them freshly:coffee1:

 

[kbsvisuals]

I suggest you to grind just before you prepare your coffee and keep the roasted beans only for 2 weeks.

 

[laura541]

Air tight storage would help to keep beans fresh.

 

[Kudzu]

Mr.Peaberry recently posted a report based on exhaustive and controlled experimentation on this subject. As the author's research was aimed primarily at commercial applications, achieving the level of preservation he sought would be far beyond our capability. The study did persuade me of one very pertinent fact. The amount of oxygen present in an airtight container, even with excess air squeezed out, as in a coffee bag rolled tightly or Airscape canister or whatever, is sufficient for oxidation of the beans to proceed.

I use a two-pronged approach. First, there is no substitute for actual freshness; buy freshly roasted beans and use them quickly. My definition of "quickly" is within one week. Your definition of "quickly" may vary based on your perception of freshness or necessity. The second prong of my attack is beans that I cannot use within a week, I vacuum pack and freeze. I use the frozen beans along-and-along, on a first-in-first-out basis, so that I always have a week or so emergency supply on-hand, but no beans are kept frozen more than about 60 days.

I am probably a little off the deep end on this but, once I got my my system and routine grooved, it is little trouble and satisfies me.

 

[Nav]

I wrote about keeping coffee beans fresh and posted in the earlier thread. Just some updates with personal experience:

1. Try to avoid the big 4 as much as possible: air, moisture, heat and light. Right now, i use a vacuum canister and it does pretty well for my usage patterns. Once i've opened a bag, i try to finish it within 2 weeks.

2. Try to avoid grinding more beans than necessary. The beans go bad so much faster when they're ground. It's a big mistake i've noticed at some of the shops in my area where coffee isn't a focus. They buy ground beans in bulk and clear them over a month. Leads to some nasty coffee.

3. From time to time, i use vacuum strip to seal the bag if i'm gonna finish it fast or if i have another batch of coffee in the canister. Over a short period, i didn't notice any downside.

Hope this helps