Buying coffee beans in bulk comes has its advantages: for the environment, by using fewer disposable bags; for your wallet, with a lower price per pound; for your convenience, with fewer trips to the cafe/roastery; and for your happiness, by keeping a seemingly endless supply of beans to keep you caffeinated at home.
But when the topic turns to freshness - a topic we’ve been preaching on for years! - you may start to wonder: am I expected to drink 5lb (nearly 250 cups!) of coffee within 2 weeks of the date it was roasted?! For some of us, that may be a challenge for the taking. But for the majority of coffee drinkers - even the most avid - that is not a healthy or feasible option. So here are some tips for those out there looking to take advantage of the benefits of buying bulk while also keeping your beans fresh and coffee tasting great:
- Invest in a grinder. Whole beans stay fresher, longer. The moment beans are ground, they begin to lose that coffee flavour and aroma that we love. Beans should be ground immediately before brewing. Need a grinder? We got you covered. While the option exists, we do not recommend buying pre-ground coffee, especially if you’re buying in bulk.
- Keep the oxygen out. Beans should be stored in an airtight container. Our 340g bags come with a zip top closure and valve that keep the oxygen out and the beans fresh. You can reuse these bags to portion out a week's worth of coffee from your 5lb bag. Or find your favourite glass container with a tight lid (such as the handy dandy mason jar), give it a good clean, and pour in the beans.
- Freeze ‘em. The bulk of your beans should be stored in the freezer. Yes, that’s right! Keep a weeks-worth of coffee at a time on your shelf or near your coffee pot and stick the rest in an airtight container in the freezer. Some coffee roasters (such as our friends Phil and Sebastien in Calgary) believe that the freezer preserves freshness, so much so that they even store their green beans in the freezer!
By following these tips, you can achieve café-quality brewed coffee without having to leave the house!
