Protect your coffee's flavor and freshness with proper storage techniques that preserve the quality from roast to last cup.
4 min read
June 10, 2025
How to Keep Your Coffee Fresh: A Storage Guide
We roast your On'Ze Coffee fresh every week and ship it within days because freshness matters. But what happens after it arrives at your door? Proper storage is the difference between extraordinary coffee and disappointing coffee—even with the best beans.
The Four Enemies of Fresh Coffee
1. Air (Oxygen)
Oxygen causes coffee to oxidize and go stale. Once you open a bag, the clock starts ticking faster.
2. Moisture
Any humidity will ruin coffee by causing it to break down and potentially mold. Never store coffee near the sink or in the fridge.
3. Heat
Heat accelerates the staling process. Keep coffee away from stoves, ovens, and sunny windowsills.
4. Light
UV light degrades coffee's organic compounds and destroys flavor. Dark storage is essential.
The Best Way to Store Coffee
Unopened bags: Store in a cool, dark, dry place—a pantry or cabinet away from heat sources. Our bags are designed to keep coffee fresh for up to 4 weeks from roast date when sealed.
Opened bags: After opening, squeeze out excess air, roll down the top, and secure with the resealable closure. Use within 2 weeks for best flavor.
Pro tip: Only grind what you need for each brew. Whole beans stay fresh 5-10 times longer than ground coffee.
Storage Solutions That Work
Good: Keep coffee in its original On'Ze bag. Our bags have one-way valves that let CO2 escape while keeping oxygen out.
Better: Transfer to an airtight, opaque container after opening. Store in a dark cabinet.
Best: Use an airtight container with a CO2 valve for maximum freshness, stored in a cool, dark place.
What NOT to Do
❌ Don't freeze coffee for daily use
Freezing and thawing creates condensation that damages coffee. Only freeze if you're storing for months and will use the entire amount once thawed.
❌ Don't refrigerate coffee
Refrigerators are moist and full of odors. Coffee absorbs both, ruining flavor.
❌ Don't buy more than you'll use in 2-3 weeks
Fresh is always better. We recommend ordering based on your consumption rate.
❌ Don't store near spices
Coffee absorbs odors. Keep it away from anything fragrant.
Signs Your Coffee Is Past Its Prime
Flat aroma (should smell rich and inviting)
Oily or dull appearance on dark roasts
Lack of bloom when brewing (especially pour-over)
Tastes flat, cardboard-like, or lifeless
More than 6-8 weeks past roast date
Our Freshness Promise
Every bag of On'Ze Coffee includes a roast date. We never ship coffee more than 7 days old. For best results, use within 4 weeks of the roast date—but honestly, it'll probably be gone before then.
Juan
Founder & Head Roaster
