How you store coffee beans can make or break your next cup.

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Key Takeaways

If you peek inside any Americans kitchen, theres a good chance youll find some coffee.

A hand holding coffee beans being poured from a bag

Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design.

Exposure to elements can strip away the flavors and lead to unpleasant tastes.

Proper storage will keep your coffee beans fresh so you could brew that optimal cup.

But should you be keeping coffee beans in the pantry, freezer or fridge?

And how long does a bag of coffee beans last?

We had Wolford put the debate to rest.

The best place to store your beans is at room temperature, not in the fridge of the freezer.

The ideal storage setup will protect from all those factors.

Coffee beans should be stored in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature, she says.

Oxygen, she adds, is the enemy of coffee.

An airtight, sealed container (think a vacuum-sealed, freezer-safe bag) will be paramount.

It should not go back into the freezer, she adds.

These hoppers are usually clear and not airtight, making your beans go stale faster.

But the biggest downside to this is the oils that accumulate, she adds.

What About Ground Coffee?

Ground coffee also needs to be stored in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature.

However, its likely to go stale faster than whole-bean coffeeeven when stored correctly.

The Bottom Line

Store coffee beans in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature.

Purchase smaller amounts at a time, ideally using up a bag of beans in about seven days.

National Coffee Association.Out-of-home coffee at pre-pandemic levels, majority believe coffee good for health.