Coffee is at its best soon after roasting and grinding. Storing it right protects flavor; storing it wrong lets it go flat fast.
The four enemies
Air, moisture, heat, and light all degrade coffee. Oxygen stales the oils, moisture invites mold and clumping, and heat and light speed both up.
Best practice
Keep beans whole until you brew, in an airtight, opaque container, in a cool dark cupboard. Buy amounts you will use within two to four weeks of the roast date.
What to avoid
Do not store coffee in the fridge, where it absorbs odors and moisture. Repeated freezing and thawing causes condensation. If you must freeze, do it once in airtight portions.
See the Coffee Bean Origin Guide and the How Much Coffee Do I Need.
