Coffee beans start losing their freshness the moment they're roasted. Proper storage can help preserve their flavor and aroma for as long as possible.

The four enemies of coffee freshness are air, moisture, heat, and light. Your storage solution should protect against all of these factors.

Always store coffee beans in an airtight container. Oxygen exposure causes coffee to go stale quickly. Use a container with a tight-sealing lid, preferably with a one-way valve that allows CO2 to escape without letting air in.

Keep your coffee in a cool, dark place. Avoid storing near the stove, oven, or in direct sunlight. A pantry or cupboard away from heat sources is ideal.

Don't refrigerate or freeze your coffee beans. Despite popular belief, this can actually harm the flavor. Temperature changes cause condensation, which introduces moisture to the beans.

Buy coffee in small quantities and use it within 2-3 weeks of the roast date. Whole beans stay fresh longer than ground coffee, so only grind what you need for each brew.

If you must buy in bulk, divide the coffee into weekly portions and store them in separate airtight containers. This way, you only expose one portion to air at a time.