The Snowths

Q: How should I store coffee?

A: After coffee beans are roasted, their flavor and aroma gradually begin to diminish. Once the beans are ground — subjecting more surface area to air, moisture, heat and light — the negative effect speeds up. For this reason, coffee tastes best when you buy freshly roasted beans and grind them right before brewing.

Whether you purchase beans or prefer having preground coffee on hand, there are steps you can take to ensure it stays as fresh as possible.

First, transfer your coffee to an airtight container sealed with a rubber gasket. This is more effective at preventing flavor loss than commercial packaging. A ceramic canister is a great choice because it also blocks out light, but glass works well, too. Avoid using metal or plastic containers because both may affect taste.

If you buy ground coffee, go to a shop where it is ground on-site or where you can grind your own. Store coffee at room temperature in a cool, dark and dry spot. Do not keep it in the refrigerator, where it can absorb moisture and food odors.

Ideally, you should shop for coffee each week. If this is impractical, buy a two-week supply: Keep enough to last a week in the container you use each day, and place the rest in a separate airtight jar.

Those who like to buy coffee in bulk can keep a week’s supply on hand and store the remainder in the freezer for up to three months, dividing it into one-week portions among plastic freezer bags.

Let coffee warm up before brewing; never return it to the freezer once it has reached room temperature.