When it comes to coffee, green coffee beans are one of the most superior raw materials for making coffee. This is because this type of coffee has a longer shelf life than the roasted ones.
However, to achieve this, you need to know how long green coffee beans last and what factors affect their shelf life. Poorly stored green coffee beans deteriorate in quality and flavor over time.
Check out this article for a complete guide on how long green coffee beans last and how to store them properly to produce the best quality coffee drinks.
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Factors That Affect the Quality of Green Coffee Beans
Here are some of the main factors that affect the quality of green coffee beans. By paying attention to these factors, you can be sure your green coffee beans will retain their natural freshness.
1. Temperature
Temperature is the main factor you should consider when storing these coffee beans. If the storage environment has a too high temperature, the coffee beans will be more susceptible to moisture. This also encourages mold growth and fermentation.
For this reason, you should store them in a 20-25°C environment. The lower the temperature, the more ideal it is for storing green coffee beans. However, avoid extreme temperatures as they damage the chemical structure of the coffee beans.
2. Humidity
Coffee beans generally have a natural moisture content of around 50% when harvested. You need to reduce it to just 11% when you want to store it.
The right humidity level will avoid the risk of degrading the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans and inhibit mold growth.
3. Oxygen
Next is oxygen. Without realizing it, the oxygen level in the green coffee bean storage also determines its shelf life.
Green coffee beans that are often exposed to oxygen will oxidize more quickly. This is the leading cause of coffee losing its natural flavor and freshness.
To prevent this, you should store the coffee beans in an airtight container or packaging that minimizes direct contact with air. That way, the quality and flavor of the coffee beans will remain consistent.
4. Light
Besides oxygen, light exposure can also affect the lifespan of green coffee beans. When exposed to direct light, the flavor and aroma of coffee beans can change instantly.
For this reason, we recommend storing your beans in an opaque container or a dark place. This can help maintain the freshness and quality of your coffee beans.
5. Time
The last factor is the storage time. Although it is known for its longevity, too long a storage time will also affect the quality of your green coffee beans.
You should use them within 6-8 months of purchase. Because when roasted, these beans always produce coffee with a delicious aroma.
Also read: Getting to Know Green Coffee Beans by Region Map
How Long Do Green Coffee Beans Last?
Green coffee beans can last longer than roasted coffee beans or ground coffee. So, what is the shelf life of green coffee beans?
If stored properly based on the above factors, green coffee beans can last up to 6 months to 1 year with their distinctive flavor and aroma.
While they can still be consumed after that, the flavor of these beans will be much different from when you first brewed them.
Characteristics of Green Coffee Beans That Are No Longer Fresh
After knowing the shelf life of green coffee beans, it’s time to understand the characteristics of beans that are no longer fresh.
How do you know if the coffee beans are no longer suitable for consumption? It’s easy to match the characteristics of the beans with the following characteristics.
1. Color Change
When viewed with the naked eye, fresh green coffee beans have a bright green color and are evenly distributed. When the color changes to yellowish, brownish, or even grayish, it can be said that your coffee beans are not fresh enough.
Not only that but the color fading also indicates that the organic compounds in the beans have decreased. This will drastically change the flavor when going through the roasting process.
2. Strange Odor
By nature, green coffee beans have a fresh aroma similar to the smell of herbs or nuts. Coffee beans that already have unpleasant aroma are usually oxidized or contaminated with microorganisms that grow on them. Avoid using them as they are no longer fit for consumption.
3. Rough or Soft Texture
Green coffee beans that are still fresh usually have a hard, dense, and slightly slippery texture. If your beans are the opposite, then avoid consuming them.
Rough, mushy, and crumbly beans are caused by excess moisture. This can also trigger mold growth and bacteria in them.
4. The Presence of Mold
This one sign may be visible to the naked eye. How do you know if it’s mold or not? Check if there are white, greenish, or even black spots on the surface of the coffee beans.
Apart from being unhygienic, consuming moldy coffee beans can also potentially cause various types of diseases. Therefore, throw away the coffee immediately to avoid this risk.
5. Decrease in Aroma
The freshness of a green coffee bean is characterized by its distinctive aroma. When it loses that aroma, it’s a sign that its volatile compounds have been damaged. The beans lose their authentic flavor, making them less appealing when consumed.
Also read: Is Coffee Halal or Haram: Sorting Fact from Fiction
How to Properly Store Green Coffee Beans?
With proper storage, the freshness, aroma and quality of green coffee beans can be preserved for a long time. Storing them incorrectly can cause spoilage, from discoloration to encouraging mold growth.
To ensure that your coffee beans stay fresh and ready to be processed at any time, here are some storage tips that can be applied:
1. Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Make sure to store green coffee beans in a cool place that is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Direct sunlight can increase the temperature of the storage area. Moreover, it can damage essential compounds in the coffee, causing the flavor and aroma to change over time.
To avoid this, it’s best to store green coffee beans in a closed storage cabinet or shelf to protect them from light.
2. Use an Airtight Container
Oxidized green coffee beans generally occur due to excessive exposure to oxygen. Make sure to store them in an airtight container and close it tightly.
It is even better to use an opaque glass or stainless steel container for storing green coffee beans. With this container, the coffee beans will not be directly contaminated with outside air and prevent dust or insects from getting into your coffee bean packaging.
3. Keep the Humidity Stable
Unstable humidity levels can damage the quality of your green coffee beans. Storing them in temperatures above 65% will trigger mold growth.
On the other hand, too low humidity also reduces their natural moisture content. This will affect the quality of the flavor. Make sure to store these coffee beans in a place where the humidity is stable, around 10% to 12%. You can also measure the environment’s moisture with a hygrometer as an additional option.
4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Extreme hot and cold temperatures can damage the structure and quality of green coffee beans. Therefore, store them at the ideal temperatures mentioned above.
Storing coffee beans in the freezer can cause them to deteriorate due to condensation. After that, avoid frequent temperature changes. This can cause an imbalance in their natural moisture content.
5. Choose the Right Packaging
The last tip to ensure green coffee beans are stored correctly is to pay attention to the packaging. You can also utilize GrainPro packaging or vacuum bags as an alternative to airtight containers.
This packaging is designed to prevent the coffee beans from being exposed to direct oxygen and moisture. That way, green coffee beans will stay fresh even if stored for a long time.
Also read: 9 Tips & Tricks How to Store Green Coffee Beans Long Term
Keep your Coffee Beans Fresh!
Now, you understand how long green coffee beans last. To ensure that your coffee beans stay fresh, pay attention to the factors that affect coffee beans quality above and how to store them properly.
For the perfect coffee experience, you can start by choosing high-quality coffee beans. As a country renowned for its coffee, Indonesia offers a rich variety of flavors and aromas. You can explore these diverse Indonesian coffees through FnB Coffee, ensuring a delightful and authentic coffee experience.
We offer a variety of top-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans at the best prices. Here are some of our best-selling coffees for you to consider.
Make every sip of your coffee a delicious and satisfying moment with our carefully selected coffee beans. What are you waiting for? Visit the FnB Coffee website now to explore a wide selection of coffee beans that are sure to delight your taste buds!
