Columbian Whole-Bean Coffee: Fresher Beans

Colombian coffee is renowned for its rich, bold flavor and is one of the most popular coffee types in the world. If you're a fan of Colombian coffee, you'll know that it's essential to keep the coffee beans fresh to preserve the flavor and aroma.

When coffee beans are roasted, they start to release oils and gases that are responsible for their flavor and aroma. Over time, these oils and gases will dissipate, resulting in stale coffee. To keep Colombian whole-bean coffee fresher for longer, you need to take a few extra steps to preserve the oils and gases.

Here are some tips to help you keep your Colombian whole-bean coffee fresh for longer:

Storage

Storing the coffee beans in an airtight container One of the most important things you can do to keep your coffee fresh is to store it in an airtight container. Oxygen is one of the biggest enemies of coffee, and exposure to air will cause the oils and gases to dissipate quickly, leading to stale coffee. Use an airtight container made of glass or ceramic to store your Colombian whole-bean coffee.

• Light: Keep the coffee beans away from light can also cause coffee beans to go stale, so it's best to keep them away from direct sunlight. UV rays can break down the oils and gases in the coffee beans, leading to a loss of flavor and aroma. Store your coffee beans in a dark and cool place, like a pantry or cupboard.
• Room Temp: Don't freeze the coffee beans. While it might be tempting to store your Colombian whole-bean coffee in the freezer to keep it fresh, this is not a good idea. Freezing the beans can cause moisture to build up, which will affect the flavor and aroma. It's best to store your coffee beans in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard.

Preparation

Grind the coffee beans just before brewing. If you have a coffee grinder at home, grind your Colombian whole-bean coffee just before brewing.

• Grinding: The beans expose more surface area to oxygen, leading to a faster loss of flavor and aroma. Freshly ground coffee also has a more robust flavor and aroma, so it's worth the extra effort.

Measuring

Use the right amount of coffee. Using the right amount of coffee is essential to getting the best flavor from your Colombian whole-bean coffee.

• Measuring: If you use too much coffee, the flavor will be overpowering, and if you use too little, the coffee will be weak. A good rule of thumb is to use two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water.