There is no better way to start your day than by pouring a piping hot cup of coffee to help you wake up and get you prepared for the day. There’s no doubt that the best coffee we can brew is from freshly ground beans. However, grinding coffee beans every morning for a cup of coffee is too big of a hassle that most of us ought to skip. You might be wondering if we can freeze coffee (ground not brewed) to store for later use. This article is all about the dos and don’ts of freezing coffee. Keep on reading to find out valuable tips and tricks!
Can you freeze coffee?
Yes! It is achievable to freeze coffee ahead of time without losing its incredible taste. You don’t need to grind your coffee beans every morning to make a store-worthy cup of coffee.
Pre-grind your coffee beans over the weekend and properly store them in the freezer. The use of proper containers is essential to prevent any moisture from seeping in and making your coffee go bad.
How to freeze coffee
If you’re wondering how to freeze coffee beans but are worried about them going wrong in the freezer, then we’ve got you covered. Mentioned below are some tips to help you freeze your ground coffee to perfection.
1. Get an air-tight container
Prepare a couple of containers or ziplock bags that are entirely air-tight! We cannot let even the tiniest bit of moisture get into the containers as it could crystallize the coffee. Vacuum sealing would be perfect here.
2. Make small batches
Divide the coffee into small batches rather than storing it in bulk. A single portion should be enough to last you about 3 to 6 days, and this is so you don’t have to defrost then refreeze the coffee again to use a small portion.
3. Place in the freezer
After you’ve correctly sealed the batches inside their respective containers, freeze the coffee cup.
You may want to read more: Can You Freeze Brewed Coffee? (Newbie Coffee Guide)
Tips for storing coffee perfectly
Below are a few tips (aside from freezing coffee) that ensure that your ground coffee stays in perfect condition until you get to make it in the best drip coffee maker and enjoy it to your heart’s content!
So, to please yourself with a cup of delicious drip coffee later, follow the pointers below to keep your ground coffee safe!
Keep away from moisture
Make sure you don’t let any moisture into the coffee container. This way, you can ensure your coffee is dry and does not crystallize.
To prevent your coffee from condensing moisture, we recommend storing it in a cool, dry place and away from water. That means you need to avoid the fridge or the shelf above your stove, and the back of your pantry is a better option.
Keep away from light
Store your ground coffee beans away from light and heat to prevent them from getting damaged. Use an opaque container or store them in a dark place, such as the back of your cupboard or shelf.
Use the right container
Air-tight containers are best for storing ground coffee as they lock away any moisture. You also want to pick a sturdy container and won’t let any odours or flavours from the freezer penetrate the container and make it lose its essence. Ceramic, metal, or Tupperware containers are good options, and glassworks fine too, but again, you need to keep it from sunlight. Opaque containers help prevent sunlight from damaging your food.
Avoid buying in bulk
You may want to store bags and bags of coffee to avoid recurrent trips to the store. However, coffee is one of the items that you want to avoid buying in bulk to help retain its freshness. If you don’t want to ruin your coffee’s freshness and taste, you should use your ground coffee within 1-2 weeks. Instead of stocking up huge bags, it is recommended that you buy small bags frequently.
How long does coffee last in the freezer?
Whole coffee beans
Whole coffee beans can keep well in the freezer for up to 3-4 months, given that you don’t take them out during that period. Use within this time to ensure freshness. Whole coffee beans stored at 0°F will keep fresh indefinitely.
You may want to portion your coffee beans into smaller amounts to ensure a thorough and smooth freeze.
Ground coffee
Frozen ground coffee can maintain its freshness for up to two years if the coffee has been vacuum-sealed, but in most cases, we should use it within six months.
If you’re not freezing it and keeping it in the pantry, vacuum-sealed unfrozen coffee will stay well for five to six months.
Vacuum sealing your coffee for storing in the pantry will prolong its life by a factor of 4-5 times. If you further freeze it after vacuum sealing it, its lifetime will be extended by another 4-5 times its original life.
Why you should vacuum seal your coffee before freezing?
Vacuum sealing will drastically extend your coffee’s shelf life because the seal will protect your coffee from moisture. Interacting with water will crystallize it, and any odours from the freezer will permeate it, thus changing the coffee’s taste.
If you don’t have a vacuum sealer available, use an opaque (for protection against the light) freezer-safe ziplock bag and push out as much air as you can from the pack of ground beans. This action will help provide maximum reinforcement against air and moisture.
How to defrost frozen coffee
Take your frozen coffee beans out of the freezer and allow them to sit for at least one hour to defrost thoroughly before grinding them. Use the beans within two weeks because any longer than that will make the coffee go stale, and it will not taste as good.
If you have enough time on your hands, allow the frozen ground coffee or coffee beans to defrost overnight in a place away from sunlight and moisture. You can leave them on a dark shelf or cupboard or even by the sink.
Remember to let your frozen coffee thaw properly at room temperature before opening it up. If you open the container before the coffee has completely defrosted, moisture will seep in and ruin all your hard work.
Conclusion
If you have bought a big coffee bag, this is your go-to article to tell you what to do with it and how to store it. In this article, we’ve gone over all the dos and don’ts of freezing ground coffee or whole coffee beans to grind later so that it does not lose its incredible taste and freshness. If you follow all the steps correctly, you will freeze your coffee perfectly that lasts for months!
