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If you don't use them that fast, then freeze them. You can grind them frozen and use them as normal (do not thaw).
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I read somewhere that the freezing idea was a myth and that it's actually bad to expose beans to extreme temperatures in either direction. I was told to just keep them sealed as best as possible in a dark, dry, ambient temperature environment (i.e. the back of my cupboard). I'll try and dig up the link but I'm pretty sure the freezing thing isn't right.
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Regarding freezing:
First, there is something close to Cliff notes at the end.
In you don't mind having your eyeballs destroyed the following are links to the great coffee bean storage debates on various coffee forums (but mostly on coffeegeeks.com):
Very good thread on coffeegeeks:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee/questions/56936
From Coffee Forums:
http://tinyurl.com/2j5x29
http://www.coffeeforums.com/viewtopi...hlight=storage
More from coffeegeeks:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof...estions/209728
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof...estions/271943
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...uestions/12124
A link from one of the threads:
http://www.sivetzcoffee.com/newslett...agingJan01.htm
A link to a vacuum storage device:
http://www.all4coffee.com/0vacuum.htm
The coffeegeeks seem to find these devices problematic.
For more go to
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums
I keyed on +storage +freezing
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Semi-Cliff Notes:
I played four five table SNGs while skimming the links below.
There seems to be a lot of debate regarding the best
practical way to store beans and the freezing option was including in the discussions. Obviously it’s best to buy fresh and in small batches but that isn’t easy unless you live near a quality roaster.
There was some support for approaches similar to my method of taking the bag from the roaster (the kind with the valve) making the first batch fresh then sealing what’s left and use a few more layers of wrap (in my case freezer bags with as much air sucked out as possible). When I take it out of the freezer I take out what I need for one batch then immediately re-wrap while slowly grinding in bursts (to avoid heat) using a blade grinder. I don’t defrost the beans.
Vacuum containers seem to have problems with effectiveness and reliability but would appreciate links to a good one.
I was astounded to see debates on coffee to approach the passion of debates on poker!
~ Rick