Contrary to popular belief, coffee is a delicate product and acts like a sponge. It should not be handled too roughly, at the risk of losing its natural qualities and those developed during roasting.
Coffee Enemies - nm
-
Oxygen , a source of oxidation responsible for the loss of oils and therefore aromas.
- Extreme temperatures , And above all, significant temperature changes cause thermal shock, thus degrading the aromas. Therefore, do not store your coffee near a radiator or oven.
- Light , although less aggressive to coffee than oxygen, is still able to degrade your coffee in a few days.
- Humidity: be careful that the environment where you store your coffee is not too humid.
So you understand why you shouldn't fill the reservoir (or hopper) of a grinder or a coffee machine with an integrated grinder, however tempting it may be.
Protections - nf
To optimize the protection of coffee against these factors, there are 2 complementary solutions:
-
The original packaging: At Celsius, we protect the coffee in a completely airtight bag with a degassing valve so that the fresh coffee can release excess CO2 without letting in ambient air, which would contribute to premature oxidation. The bags can be resealed tightly thanks to the zip closure.
- An airtight container : Once the coffee has released excess CO2 in its original packaging after a few days, it's a good idea to use an airtight stainless steel or ceramic container to extend its shelf life. We recommend the Airscape® brand, a leading name in the market. If you have the space, feel free to place the original packaging inside this container for double protection.
Conservation - n
And to make the coffee last even longer? The freezer might be considered, as opposed to the refrigerator.
- The freezer: This topic is a subject of debate within the specialty coffee community. At Celsius, we try to tell you about what we've tested ourselves. We've repeatedly compared the same coffee, roasted several months prior, one frozen and the other at room temperature, and obtained radically different results. Frozen coffee retains most of its aromas, even though it's always best consumed fresh, while coffee left at room temperature for several months deteriorates severely, revealing unpleasant aromas. The freezer seems to us to be a very good long-term storage solution. Given that roasted coffee contains very little moisture, storing it in the freezer won't fundamentally change it, but it will significantly limit its aging and freeze it at a specific point in time.
- The refrigerator: here, however, the coffee will absorb unwanted moisture, which will dilute its aromas. The spongy nature of coffee will also cause it to take on the tastes and smells of the various foods in your refrigerator. We're not particularly fond of coffee flavored with Reblochon cheese, but no judgment if you enjoy it.
One piece of advice, though: prioritize frequent purchases of freshly roasted Celsius coffee, rather than stockpiling large quantities in your cupboards. Even in times of crisis, Celsius will always be able to provide you with fresh coffee!