Storing Your Coffee This Way Ruins It, Experts Say

Whether you have an espresso machine, a dependable drip coffee maker, a pour-over setup, or a French press, making great coffee at home can be a great joy. Not only is it an opportunity to save money by not hitting the café multiple times a week, which can get expensive very quickly, but it’s an awesome way to always enjoy coffee made to your exact preferences. And while technique is super important, the quality of your beans matters more than you might think. 

We talked to a bunch of coffee experts about the biggest mistakes they see in how people store coffee at home, and nearly all of them said the same thing: Whatever you do, don’t store it in the freezer. Instead, get a vacuum-sealed container. 

Fellow Atmos Vacuum Coffee Canister

“The key is to store your beans in a dry, dark place in a vacuum-sealed container to reduce the risk and speed of oxidation,” explained Steve Sutton, founder of Devoción. “The biggest mistake is putting beans in the freezer or fridge. That can actually hurt the coffee.” He added that roasted coffee is going to deteriorate quickly no matter what you do, so it’s imperative to store it in the best possible conditions for maximum freshness.

Fellow’s vacuum canister uses food-safe stainless steel and a vacuum-sealing lid to remove air from the inside. That minimizes exposure to oxygen, which speeds up the beans’ decomposition and diminishes their flavor and aroma. A silicone ring in the lid not only helps keep air out, but also prevents moisture, odors, and other contaminants from getting in. The Atmos was the most recommended product from all the coffee experts I talked to (with the AirScape canister coming in at a close second). If you want a larger size — it also comes in a 1.2-liter option — or a white or clear container, Fellow offers those as well. Plus, you can also store spices, tea, nuts, and many other pantry items in them.

Mark Hellweg, founder and CEO of Ratio, agrees that coffee should be kept in a dedicated vacuum container. “Do not store in the freezer,” he said, pointing out that unwanted humidity and flavors from potentially smelly foods like salmon can ruin your beans. “That’s the most common mistake.” Hellweg recommends Fellow’s Atmos container to prevent oxygen and light from damaging the flavor of your beans. “Containers that keep oxygen from getting in are the minimum standard, and ones that evacuate the oxygen to create a vacuum are the best,” he added.

Once you have the Fellow canister, you’ll still want to keep it in the proper environment. “Right after opening the bag, the coffee should be poured into a glass, ceramic, or metal container. The container should be kept out of light and heat. I recommend storing coffee in a closed kitchen cabinet away from the sink, windows, or gas and electric stoves to protect it from moisture, direct light, and temperature changes,” said Leo Yuffa, owner of Dazbog Coffee. He pointed out that when getting a vacuum container, you want one with a valve that “releases air from the inside but does not let it back in.” 

So, if you’re perfecting your home coffee game, we support it. Just make sure to grab a Fellow Atmos canister to ensure your brewing is the best it can be.

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At the time of publishing, the price was $35.