Coffee, the fragrant brew that gives many of us the energy to get out in the mornings, is growing more expensive by the day. So, many coffee drinkers are thinking of ways to keep coffee from going stale. For example, can ground coffee be frozen is one of the main questions we hear from coffee drinkers everywhere. You will be happy to know that you can freeze your ground coffee.
There are a few ways that you can store your ground coffee to keep it fresh and taste great down to the last drop. We’ll discuss a few of those ways below.
Can Ground Coffee Be Frozen?
Yes, ground coffee can be frozen, but you might be wondering what the best way to freeze your ground coffee could be, so keep reading for answers in our next section.
Precautions You Should Take When Freezing Ground Coffee
It’s essential not just to toss your ground coffee into the freezer. You can take a few precautions to ensure you’re doing it correctly and the coffee is fresh when you’re ready for a pot.
- It’s essential to start with dry coffee grinds, as the moisture from wet grounds will affect the flavor of your coffee by causing freezer burn.
- Prevent moisture from getting into your dry coffee and ruining it by placing it in an airtight bag or container before freezing it.
- If you’re going to freeze your ground coffee, do it as soon as possible since the colder the coffee is, the better it’ll freeze, and the quicker you’ll retain the flavor and freshness of the brew.
- Always label and date your coffee so you know which to use first and which is the oldest. It doesn’t last forever, even when it’s frozen.
How Should You Thaw Frozen Ground Coffee?
There are a few ways you can thaw frozen ground coffee when you’re ready to brew it. The most common technique is placing frozen coffee in the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave, but defrost the coffee in short bursts of no more than 15 seconds for the best results.
As previously stated, freezing your ground coffee is only one of the ways you can keep the coffee fresh until you’re ready to brew a pot.
Ways to Store Ground Coffee to Keep it Fresh
Now that you know that freezing ground coffee is possible and will keep your coffee fresh, we’ll also talk about a few other ways to store it.
1. Lock Out the Moisture
You want to keep your ground coffee dry, and the best way to do that is by locking out the moisture that could seep inside your can. Avoid putting your coffee in any storage areas exposed to moisture, such as your fridge or the shelf and cabinets above your stove.
It’s best to store ground coffee in a cool, dry, dark place, like in the back of your pantry.
2. Darkness Is Better
You don’t want your coffee kept out in the direct sunlight. Darkness is better if you want the coffee to stay fresh until the last drop. Light and heat can damage the coffee, so a naturally dark environment will help. It also helps if you use an opaque container.
3. Use the Proper Coffee Container
You cannot keep your ground coffee fresh, whether frozen or not if you don’t store it in the proper container. The best containers to store coffee in are airtight, durable, and don’t mess with the flavors of your coffee.
For the best results, choose a ceramic or metal container. Of course, you can use glass if you keep it out of the sunlight.
4. Buy Less Coffee at a Time
While in today’s uncertain economy, it’s practical to buy in bulk whenever possible, but it’s best not to purchase your coffee that way. If you want your ground coffee to stay at its peak of freshness, it must be used within 1 to 2 weeks.
Instead of buying a stockpile of coffee to last months, try buying a smaller bag of your favorite coffee once a week, so it doesn’t begin to lose its flavor and freshness.
5. Buy Local
If you expect your coffee to remain fresh, then the coffee you purchase needs to be fresh. Instead of getting your coffee at the grocery store, try heading to a local coffee roaster in your area. You’ll know that the coffee hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for months at a time, and you’ll be supporting local coffee roasters at the same time.
Sometimes, if you ask, these coffee roasters will even grind your beans for you, free of charge.
Final Thoughts
You can freeze ground coffee, but there are a few precautions you should take before you begin the freezing process. There are also a few other tips for storing your coffee and keeping it fresh. Have you tried any of these methods? How did they work for you?
Featured Image Credit: Andrea Tummons, Unsplash
