How to Store Coffee Beans for Freshness

10 February 2024

Coffee Bean Storage

To fully savour the rich and nuanced taste of Vietnamese coffee, it's crucial to store the beans properly. In this blog post, we'll delve into the art of storing coffee beans to maintain their freshness and flavour.

Why Proper Storage Matters

Coffee beans are incredibly sensitive to external factors that can compromise their quality. Exposure to oxygen, moisture, light, and temperature fluctuations can lead to the degradation of your coffee beans. To keep your coffee at its best, consider the following storage tips:

  1. Use an Airtight Container:

Oxygen is one of coffee's greatest enemies. When coffee beans come into contact with air, they begin to oxidize, leading to a loss of flavour and aroma. To prevent this, transfer your coffee beans to an airtight container or ensure our resealable bags are always fully sealed. Mason jars, vacuum-sealed containers, or specially designed coffee storage canisters are excellent choices. Our Buffalo Robusta, Honeymoon Blend and Sunshine Arabica all come in resealable bags designed to keep your beans fresh.

  1. Keep Coffee in a Cool, Dark Place:

Coffee beans are sensitive to light and temperature. To preserve their freshness, store them in a cool, dark place. Avoid placing the container near windows, on countertops exposed to sunlight, or close to heat sources. A pantry or cupboard works well, as long as it's away from direct light and heat.

  1. Beware of Moisture:

Humidity and moisture can lead to the growth of mould and spoil the coffee. Ensure that your storage container is completely dry before adding coffee beans. Don't store coffee near appliances that generate moisture, like kettles or dishwashers.

  1. Keep Away from Strong Odors:

Coffee beans are excellent at absorbing odours from their surroundings. To maintain the purity of your coffee's flavour, store it away from strong-smelling foods or substances like spices, onions, or cleaning products. You don't want your coffee to taste like yesterday's curry!

  1. Whole Beans vs. Ground Coffee:

If possible, opt for whole coffee beans. Grinding the beans just before brewing helps to maintain freshness. If you do choose to buy pre-ground coffee, ensure it's stored with the same care as whole beans, in an airtight container. We offer both whole bean and pre-ground options across our range, including a phin grind specifically for use with your Vietnamese Phin Filter.

  1. Rotate Your Supply:

To enjoy the freshest coffee, use a "first in, first out" approach. Rotate your coffee supply, ensuring that you consume the older beans before moving on to the fresher ones.

Ready to stock up? Browse our full range of Vietnamese coffee beans, roasted in small batches in Auckland and shipped fresh nationwide across New Zealand.

MEET OUR BESTSELLERS
Café Blend
HONEYMOON (BLEND)

May Coffee Crew

Our signature robusta and arabica blend, a match made in heaven! Honeymoon is recommended as a great starting point for those looking to introduce themselves to Vietnamese coffee with something a little familiar but also a little different.   This exquisite blend brings together the powerful essence of robusta balanced against the smoothness of arabica. It's a marriage of flavours that will sweep you off your feet and keep you coming back for more.   Experience the best of both worlds with Honeymoon, a blend that captures the essence of Vietnam's diverse coffee culture with a modern twist.   Want to go deeper? If you love the robusta side of Honeymoon, our Buffalo (Robusta) is the pure expression, bolder and stronger. For something lighter and more mellow, try Sunshine (Arabica). Or try all three with The Triplet Sampler. Brew it the Vietnamese way with our Phin Filter for the full experience.
TRY 'EM ALL
The Triplet Sampler

May Coffee Crew

Why not try them all? There's something for every taste and feeling! You will receive one bag of each type in the selected size.   Buffalo (Robusta) - Traditional Vietnamese Coffee - our strongest coffee that's bold and powerful yet smooth, with an intense caffeine kick.   Honeymoon (Blend) - Fusion East Meets West - our signature robusta and arabica blend, recommended as a great starting point for those looking to introduce themselves to Vietnamese coffee, perfectly balanced.   Sunshine (Arabica) - Your Daily Grind - our lightest coffee, super smooth and mellow to ease you into it.   Brew them the authentic way. Add a Vietnamese Phin Filter to your order and experience all three the traditional Vietnamese way. Buying as a gift? Check out our Heritage Gift Box, beautifully packaged and ready to give.
Award-Winning Iced Coffee
Classic Traditional flavour, modern twist: half the sugar of the original Vietnamese coffee recipe, crafted from pure premium Robusta beans. Smooth and bold yet sweet and rich, Vietnamese Robusta blended condensed milk. A strong caffeine hit to keep you pumped throughout the day.Powered by premium Vietnamese Robusta beans, this is a triple shot that's smooth, rich, and crafted to fuel your hustle.Why settle for three when one does it all? Save money, boost your energy, and crush your day with natural, clean caffeine.New to Vietnamese iced coffee? Read our guide on what ca phe sua da is and how to make it at home, or browse our full Vietnamese Iced Coffee collection. Want to brew your own from scratch? Grab a Vietnamese Phin Filter and a bag of Buffalo Robusta and make it fresh.
LIGHT & MELLOW
SUNSHINE (ARABICA)

May Coffee Crew

Sunshine stands out with its exceptional smoothness and low levels of acidity, like a ray of sunshine in your cup, radiating with light and sweet nuances to elevate your coffee rituals to a whole new level.   A single-origin 100% Arabica, Sunshine is produced by the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) cooperative in the northwestern region of Son La, Vietnam. This group's mission is to amplify women's participation and representation in the coffee sector, improving the quality of life in coffee-producing communities.   Sunshine stands as a shining example of the unique opportunities and support provided to women in the coffee industry.   New to Vietnamese coffee? Sunshine is a gentle introduction, smooth and approachable. If you're ready to go bolder, our Honeymoon Blend meets you in the middle with a robusta-arabica mix. Want to explore all three? The Triplet Sampler is the perfect way to find your favourite. Brew it beautifully with our traditional Vietnamese Phin Filter.