We already talked earlier about oxygen and its effects on coffee beans, but there are two other things that can actually make coffee go stale faster.

Light: Photodegradation is a process that alters the composition of an item through available light. This process can be started by both sunlight and artificial light. Most of us have experienced this in some form or another, but this is why you want to store your coffee in a container that doesn’t let light through. So no mason jars, or clear plastic containers.

Heat: Molecules move faster when they are hotter than when they are cold. For organic items such as coffee, this causes them to decay more quickly when hot. This is why we store food in the freezer to preserve it, that being said, a refrigerator or freezer is not a great place to store coffee. If you are comfortable your beans are comfortable, store your beans at room temperature.

Keep in mind that coffee is very absorbent and if left open the coffee may absorb other smells and flavors(like baking soda) and alter the taste of the roast. Using a dedicated coffee storage container can actually extend the freshness of your beans by keeping them away from these harmful elements. Rather than just 2-3 weeks of peak freshness in the coffee bag, you can have 3-5 weeks of stellar flavor! get a proper storage container.