Stocking up on your favorite coffee beans when they go on sale seems to make sense from a savvy shopper standpoint, but can they be stored in the fridge? If you’ve ever bought coffee in bulk and wondered, “Should coffee be stored in the refrigerator?”– you’re not alone. While many coffee drinkers use this strategy, experts say it’s time to rethink storing coffee in the fridge. We chatted with a few coffee experts who explained why storing coffee in the refrigerator may not be the best way to store it.
Should coffee be stored in the refrigerator?
“When it comes to refrigeration of coffee, you also really shouldn’t,” says Jacob Ball, Director of Coffee at Fire Department Coffee. “Every time you open your fridge door, you’ll cause a temperature change that will lead to a dangerous buildup of moisture. Plus, since coffee is a deodorizer, it will also absorb your food smells,” he shares. While whole beans generally tolerate fridge storage better than grounds, both are vulnerable to moisture and odor absorption.
Mark Janasik, the co-founder of Southern Grounds, agrees that storing coffee in the fridge is generally not a good idea. “Storing coffee in the refrigerator usually harms flavor more than it helps, while stable, cool room temperature in an airtight container is better for day‑to‑day,” he shares.
“In a refrigerator, beans or grounds repeatedly go from cold to warmer air, which encourages condensation on their surface when the container is opened. That added moisture starts extracting soluble compounds early, accelerating staling, especially for pre‑ground coffee freshness.” Even when stored in a decent container, Janasik agrees with Ball that coffee can pick up smells from nearby foods over time, producing flavors. “The net effect is often dull, flat, or slightly strange‑tasting cups compared with the same coffee appropriately stored at room temperature,” he shares.
Refrigerating brewed coffee
If you’ve ever brewed a cup of coffee, then waited too long to drink it, you might have wondered if it’s safe to throw it in the fridge until later when you’re ready to reheat it. In general, brewed black coffee can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, but the flavor will decline after the first day. Covering your coffee and storing it in something air-tight is also advised (which means you should skip the open method of throwing your coffee mug directly into the fridge). If you’ve already added milk or creamer to your coffee, it can be stored for a few hours, but probably won’t taste fresh after a day or two.
Can you freeze coffee?
Once coffee drinkers realize they probably shouldn’t store coffee in the fridge, the next logical question is: “Can you freeze coffee beans?” While you can technically freeze coffee, Ball also advises against freezing it.
“Oxygen will still find its way in, and you’ll end up with a build-up of moisture that will compromise the flavor of your beans. The only time we’d tell you to freeze coffee (beans or grounds) is if you’ve bought too much and it’d take you months to go through it. In that case, the best option is to place it in an airtight container or, even better, to vacuum bag it. Either way, take out only the quantity that you need every single time and never, ever refreeze your thawed coffee,” he shares.
How to properly store coffee
Overall, the consensus among coffee experts is that coffee should not be stored in the refrigerator. Instead, experts suggest learning proper coffee storage methods to ensure a fresh, delicious-tasting brew. According to Heather Perry, CEO of Klatch Coffee, fresh coffee starts with only purchasing the amount of coffee you plan to use in the short term. Bulk-buying pre-roasted coffee beans or pre-ground coffee means your coffee will sit for a while before brewing, giving it more time to change in flavor.
Perry recommends purchasing smaller quantities more often, such as through an online subscription, and keeping coffee beans sealed until you’re ready to use them. When opening a new package of coffee, “Remove only the amount needed, and return to a sealed container, like the Airscape models. Store in a cool, dry place away from sources of light and heat, such as a dark pantry,” she shares.
According to Ball, it’s essential to choose coffee storage solutions made from materials that won’t affect precious flavors, such as ceramic, non-reactive metal, or glass. “Unfortunately, plastic can absorb odors over time. As for the location of your canisters or jars, cabinets or pantries are the safest choice, especially if you’ve opted for glass. Alternatively, you can keep opaque options on your countertops, as long as they’re away from direct sunlight (you really don’t want them to warm up!). Finally, here’s something we easily forget: heat. Meaning, your oven and hobs. If your cabinet is too close to them, your coffee won’t be as safe as you think,” he shares.
