Why You Should Probably Freeze Your Coffee Beans-and How to Do It

"So, should you freeze coffee beans? Or is freezing just a new way to mess up coffee beans-by introducing frosty moisture, or tainting it with the smell of the frozen chicken and peas in your icebox? The answer, according to coffee experts and chemists alike, is that you're probably better off freezing coffee than letting warm air do its slow work. But this is only true if you do it correctly."

"Believe it or not, there's such a thing as coffee that's too fresh. You probably don't want to brew coffee the day after it's roasted. For light roasts in particular, most roasters tend to recommend you wait five to seven days after the roast date before brewing, in order to allow your coffee to off-gas a bit and become a little easier to extract."

Fresh coffee is defined by aroma and intensity, while old coffee becomes acrid and flat. Freshness degrades quickly, and impulsive purchases or testing multiple beans often force storage decisions. Freezing beans can preserve qualities better than exposure to warm air, but correct freezing technique is essential to prevent frost moisture and odor transfer. Frozen beans can improve flavor for light roasts by enabling more consistent grounds. For light roasts, waiting five to seven days after roast before brewing allows off-gassing and easier extraction, which is especially important for espresso.

Read at WIRED