Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Pablo Barrantes
The conservation of coffee is a fundamental issue to preserve its quality, flavor, and aroma. To achieve this, there are different methods, among which vacuum and one-way valve containers stand out. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages that are important to know.
If you are wondering which is the most suitable option between vacuum packaging and one-way valve packaging, it is important to know their differences. To help you with your choice, I will explain below what each type of packaging consists of so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Why is coffee packaging important?
Coffee is sensitive to oxygen, light, humidity, and other environmental factors. Good packaging should protect the coffee from these external factors for as long as possible.
Adequate packaging not only facilitates transportation and storage but also helps preserve the product’s quality, freshness, and aroma until it reaches the final consumer.
What are the greatest enemies of coffee?
Coffee is a delicate product sensitive to diverse factors affecting its quality and flavor. Among the greatest enemies of coffee are
- Oxygen: When coffee is exposed to oxygen, it can quickly lose its freshness and flavor.
- Humidity: Humidity affects the quality of coffee since it can cause mold formation and the proliferation of bacteria.
- Light: Direct sunlight can accelerate the oxidation of coffee and diminish its quality. I recommend storing it in the pantry in a non-transparent jar.
- Temperature: Coffee should be stored at a cool and constant temperature to maintain quality. Avoid hot places in the house, such as near the stove or oven or in a pantry receiving direct sunlight.
- Time: If coffee is stored too long, it can lose its freshness and flavor. Even the aromas of coffee disappear only 15 minutes after grinding.
Main methods of coffee preservation
There are two main methods to preserve coffee when it comes to bags:
- Vacuum packing.
- Unidirectional Valve, also called non-return valve.
Vacuum packing vs. unidirectional valve
Both have characteristics to consider when choosing between vacuum packaging and one-way valve packaging.
Vacuum packing removes all air from the package, creating an oxygen-free environment. However, it is important to remember that coffee releases carbon dioxide after roasting. This can be a disadvantage since being hermetically sealed, all the gases produced by the coffee will not be able to escape.
On the other hand, packing with a unidirectional valve allows the carbon dioxide released by the coffee to escape from the packaging while at the same time preventing oxygen from entering. This packaging system creates a controlled atmosphere of nitrogen, which helps conserve all the coffee’s aromatic components in an optimum manner.
Depending on your tastes and needs, the choice of the best packaging may vary:
- If you usually consume coffee quickly after opening it, vacuum packing could be the most suitable option.
- Suppose you are one of those who enjoy coffee more leisurely. In that case, you will need a container with a unidirectional valve, allowing the gases to be released gradually without oxygen entering and affecting the quality of your coffee.
How to identify coffee containing food-grade nitrogen?
Packages containing coffee in a controlled atmosphere with nitrogen can be identified with a seal or label on the product, which indicates that the coffee has been packaged in such a way that helps preserve its freshness and flavor for a longer time.
The ideal way to store coffee at home or in a coffee shop
The best way to store coffee at home or in a coffee shop is in an airtight and opaque container, away from sunlight and heat sources. If stored in a pantry, it is important to ensure it is at a constant temperature to preserve its freshness and flavor.
Coffee should also be kept away from moisture and strong odors, as it can absorb them and affect their flavor.
I always recommend storing whole-bean coffee and grinding it before brewing for the best flavor and aroma. However, suppose you prefer to store it ground. In that case, it’s recommended to opt for small packages and open them gradually to consume them as quickly as possible, thus avoiding flavor and freshness loss.
Can coffee be stored in the fridge?
Although coffee can be stored in the fridge, it’s not the best option as it can absorb odors and flavors from other foods in the fridge and lead to mold formation due to moisture.
Additionally, coffee is highly sensitive to temperature changes, so constantly moving it in and out of the fridge every time you use it can make it deteriorate faster. Therefore, storing it in a cool and dry place, such as in an airtight container in a pantry or cupboard, is recommended.
Storing coffee in a coffee shop
In a bar or coffee shop, it’s important to store coffee in a cool and dry place to maintain its flavor. Here are some tips:
- Proper storage: Coffee should be in an airtight, opaque container, away from light and heat. Keeping the container completely closed is important to prevent moisture and air from getting in.
- Appropriate amount: Buy the amount of coffee needed for a certain period of time, and not more than you can use in a month. If you buy coffee in large quantities, it’s important to seal and store it properly. Another tip I can give you is never to fill the grinder to the top, but only take the amount of useful coffee for serving.
- Grinding: Grinding should be done before preparing the coffee to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. It’s important to have a coffee grinder in the coffee shop to grind fresh coffee and avoid wasting ground coffee.
- Rotation: It’s important to use coffee in the order it was received; this will ensure that the oldest coffee is used first and prevent it from becoming stale.
- Temperature: The storage temperature of coffee should be kept between 10°C and 25°C, avoiding extreme temperatures.
- Cleaning: All equipment that comes into contact with coffee must be cleaned. Otherwise, it would compromise the quality of the newly purchased and opened coffee.
By following these tips, you can maintain fresh and high-quality coffee in your bar or coffee shop and provide an excellent experience to your customers.
