You are better off to store the ground coffee in a cool dark place in an air-tight container.

A stainless container is fine- just don't buy the ones linked below. We have them and I am not happy. I linked to BB&B, but I have seen them several other places.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canister from Bed Bath and Beyond

Cost Plus has these wonderful stainless steel containers. According to the labeling, they were originally designed/made in China to hold tea. They have a double lid system to keep them more airtight.

I plan to buy at least a couple of them once we get to that stage.

Here is a link that might be useful: These here

I got these ones from Arco Steel for my Mom. They are glass and brushed stainless and the lids screw on.

In situ:

I have exactly the one cocontom mentioned, and I love it! I bought it for coffee beans, and it works wonderfully. What do you not like, cocontom?

Or just keep the bag in the freezer.

I use various sizes of the ones cocontom linked and really like them...in a cupboard. They are not very stylish, but great for loose tea and coffee beans.

If you're going with Starbucks coffee, it won't matter what you store it in - it's bad from the start :-)

Seriously, though, air tight containers as others have mentioned are the best things to use but you really should buy whole beans and grind it as needed - having it ground up front really isn't a good thing to do.

I disagree with the suggestion of freezing the coffee - although some people do it, the change in temperature is not good for the coffee.

I've always stored mine in a glass mason jar, suck sealed with a Food Saver, in my freezer. But here's an article about the best way to store ground AND whole bean coffee if that helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Best way to store coffee

Several posters raise the old saw that "coffee should not be kept frozen." This makes little sense scientifically. The main issue with coffee storage is the gradual loss of compounds which are important to flavor. Many of these are volatile. Basic thermodynamics shows that these volatiles will leach out more slowly at lower temperature than higher.

However, even theory is not definitive proof. There is, however, good scientific proof that can be found. Many sources, like the one rmlanza sites, make undocumented statements like "the taste of the coffee will not be the same after freezing." This is urban myth.

The link below is to an extremely well thought-out and carefully performed blinded study looking at the effects of freezing on coffee. Their conclusion: there was no demonstrable difference in taste after four or eight weeks in the freezer when compared to fresh beans.

Anyone who claims to know otherwise about the effects of keeping coffee in the freezer will need to provide equally compelling data that prove their point. Otherwise that recommendation can go the way of exploding toilets and other urban mythology.

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee; To freeze or not to freeze

I have this one from Williams Sonoma. Sort of pricey, but it goes with my room and I had a store credit. As for grinding coffee, etc. We LOVE our coffee and used to buy the whole beans, and grind each morning, but it took too long, created too much of a mess, and was just another step in the morning, so now we buy the bags of ground coffee and store it in the air tight container. The coffee tastes just as good and our mornings are easier. BTW, I personally LOVE pete's coffee and that is what we buy - Major Dickinson's is my favorite of theirs. It is strong without being bitter. Starbucks is too bitter for me, Dunkin Donuts, too weak, Pete's... just right.

So when a container is air-tight, how air-tight does it have to be? There is the style of container with the metal hook on the side - it seems awkward to use (I've played with the ones in BB&B), but does it work better than the ones that just have a lid with a silicone seal around it?

Pbrisjar, those SS containers are beautiful! Caryscott, the Arco Steel ones are cool too. I like that you can see what's inside, but still most of the contents are shielded from the light - this might be a good compromise with wanting to keep the coffee in a dark place. (That sounds ominous, doesn't it?)

Weissman, *some* Starbucks coffee is good! I really like this Cafe Estima blend. Loved their Christmas blend too - too bad they only have it at Christmas. ;-)

Clinresga, thanks for that link - I love obsessive testing methodologies. :-)

Mamadadapaige - that's a beautiful container. Hmmm...have to see just *how* pricey.

Mamadadapaige ~ Please where do you buy Pete's Coffee? I am a Starbucks coffee lover and the latest issue of Consumers Report arrived yesterday with a very favorable rating for Pete's. I've never heard of it. I grind my beans daily then store the beans in a mason jar in the refrigerator.

Mamadadpaige, I'd be interested in trying Pete's also. Since I would describe Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts coffees the same way as you, I'm thinking Pete's might be a good fit. Right now I'm loving Trader Joe's Cafe Pajaro but it would be nice to have something else to trade off with.

I didn't read through the whole article clinresga linked for us, but it looks like a good methodology.

The important part can be seen in the first photo. The coffee was frozen in impervious containers (glass jars).

I would guess that the problem most people have with refrigerating or freezing coffee, especially ground coffee, is keeping refrigerator odors out of it.

An old housewivery trick for sopping up odors is to put a dish of ground coffee in the offending area and let it soak 'em up. Therefore, putting a non-airtight container of coffee in a cooler is likely to give you a back up for that open box of baking soda :) And taste yucky.

Additionally, the defrost cycle could dry out bagged coffee. It causes freezer burn in everything else. Again, an airtight container should solve this.

But I'm not going to test it. I don't drink coffee. When I serve pre-ground Yuban, stored in the fridge, in its can, with the plastic lid, coffee fans say, "Yum! Good coffee." I suspect it's because I use distilled water and a clean coffeemaker, rather than how recently it was roasted or ground.

We have 5 of the containers I linked to (two different flours, brown and white sugar, and coffee).

The silicone rings on the flour containers pop off just about every time we use them, and are nearly impossible to get back on. The flippy tab thing bent on three of them when closing. The lid on the sugar container (used most frequently) is cracking in four places and is on the verge of no longer being airtight. They're not even a year old.

FYI: It's Peet's, not Pete's coffee. www.peets.com

And I agree that there is a tendency to paint with an overly broad brush and call all SB coffees bad. They aren't. Some better than others, all better than what's at your local grocery store. Perhaps not the equal of locally roasted, carefully sourced beans, but not bad. And if you can't tell the difference between SB coffee and Dunkin Donuts coffee then we're not really having the same conversation.

I think it is Peet's but there may be a Pete's also. Peet's has the Major Dickinson's that Mamadadpaige mentioned. We have Peet's coffee houses plus they sell it in our local markets. Ground and whole bean. It is yummy.

The problem with Starbucks is not the beans but the fact that they roast them too dark. Around here, we call them Charbucks.

yes, that's right Peet's, not Pete's. I get it at my local supermarket, Crosby's and they also sell it at Shaw's. Before it was sold locally, my DH would buy it at the Peet's in the financial district in Boston which was across the street from his office on Federal Street.

I buy only organic, fair trade coffee and I LOVE my coffee and don't mind shelling out for it...I keep it in the freezer in a glass jar and it always tastes great. The flavour isn't comprimised by keeping it in the freezer, in my opinion.

I have been using a Bodum cannister for ground coffee. I store the beans before grinding in the freezer. Not interested in debating--works for me.

Anyway, the top on these fits snuggly. It's airtight other than for the air that is already in there. I store the coffee scooper on top.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bodum Yokhi

Since we're talking about coffee I'd like to share with everyone how coffee was rated in this months Consumer's Report.
Rated
1. Eight O'Clock
2. Caribou ($11.76 lb)
3. Kickapoo (ever hear of it? and $14.33 lb)
4. Starbucks
5. Bucks County
6. Archer Farms
7. Gloria Jean
8. Chock full o' nuts
9. Peet's
10 Maxwell House
11.Folger's
12.Millstone
13 Folgers.

and for those Decaf drinkers out there
1. Dunkin' Donuts
2. Millstone
3. Folgers

Maureen

cocontom,

I wonder if you got a set of 'lemon' canisters. Or, if though they all look identical, if there are different manufacturers and or quality of those canisters. I received a set of four as a 'kitchen-warming' gift and really like them. I store baking supplies in three of them and coffee beans in the fourth. I find them easy to use, they seal really well, and nothing has popped off or broken in two years. I would definitely buy more.

Charlikin,

Most important to keep the coffee cool, dry and out of sunlight. If you're happy with the taste of pre-ground coffee, then I think keeping it tightly closed in the bag (is it foil?) would be just as good as anything.

Yes, it's a foil bag. I roll the top over a few times before folding in the little metal ends. The bag is about a week and a half old now - I've kept it on the countertop (I don't get direct sun in the kitchen), and this morning made absolutely delicious coffee with it.

I was thinking of getting a canister to keep it fresher (though it does seem to be doing okay), and to make it easier to scoop out the coffee. Maybe neither of things things matter. :-)

Oh, and because I have a new kitchen and I'm in the mode of buying it toys. ;-)

chuckles
I spent 3 years gratefully working within walking distance of the place below. They had Jamaican blue mountain to die 4. I miss them.

If you're a coffee hound and live in or visit New York City, it's worth visiting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Coffee saints live here

I am addicted to Soy Latte's (sometimes with sugar fee syrup - only 3 points on Weight Watchers) at Starbuck's. The other chains just don't compare (the shame) but I do brew coffee at home and work and I buy from a local chain (Bridgehead) who only sell fair trade. I like medium roast and they have a great Ethiopian Limu which I keep in an air tight container in the fridge (maybe needs a rethink). I get it ground when I buy it - I have a grinder but honestly the Starbuck's is a 5 minute walk and the Bridgehead is just across the street, brewing at home has to be extra easy or I'm out the door with the wallet open.

I sprung for an espresso machine (Quick Mills Andreja Premium) and a Mini Mazzer grinder about three years ago. I buy coffee from a local roasting company.

They have paid for themselves several times over and friends drive miles for a Latte. That is good because we live 5 minutes out of town - on the road to no where - and would have very little company if I didn't have Andreja and Mr Mazzer as a big draw. Ha!

"Hi, I was thinking about picking up some bagels and coming over for a Latte... What kind do you want?"

Golddust,
You coffeegeek you!!! Why is my Toto?

I purchase fair trade coffee and we have several roasters locally. When ever I am back in LA, I purchase about 3lbs of different coffees from Urth Cafe in Beverly (they do have a website). I love their coffee. The viennese and Italian Dolce is just lovely. I have not been to startbucks in about 4years after purchasing my Macap grinder and a La Spaziale espresso maker. I love it. I also make great soy lattes. I store my coffees by vacuum packing them and storing them in a cool drawer in the kitchen. I grind as I make the coffee.

Good luck!

It's completely possible we got lemon canisters- I don't think the store we bought them from had very many more than we bought, so they may have been opened and closed hundreds of times before we bought them.

My absolute favorite coffee is Higher Grounds Peruvian Pangoa. It's organic, fair trade (I know the Pangoa coop sells to other roasters too), plus the people at Higher Grounds are really nice. They do have website ordering issues sometimes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Higher Grounds

Homepro, I am a coffeegeek! ... but I don't roast my own beans yet. We have Miss Sylvia that we take on road trips and to the cabin. Which La Spaziale did you get???

When I get my Neorest installed, my plumber says I can charge people to use it! Just another gizmo to bring in my friends and family. (I am not proud!) I'm trying for a set up where no one will be able to even come near the side of town I live near without driving on down to visit!

Seriously, this AM I got a call from a friend saying she was close and had to pee. Could she drop by? "... and you thought you had to ask first??"

Yes, I'm a senior member of the Death before Decaf club.

Golddust,
I don't have a neorest but have a S300 on my Carlyle. People just drop by at all times of day because I mainly work from home to use Mr. Toto as he is known. I should put a cup in the bathroom for tips-)

I have a La Spaz S2 and I absolutely love it. I actually have roasted my own coffee beans the Ethiopian way with a frying pan on the stove. It was really delicious but the smoke in the house was unreal:-)

I have to order more coffee this week because I only have one bag left!! Off to web shop. I also need a new soap dispenser for the bathroom:-)

I use this. Not especially pretty (it stays in the cupboard) but perfect for the job, and it holds two bags which is good since there's usually overlap when moving from one pound to the next.

Here is a link that might be useful: Click Clack

Homepro, I work at home too. We own a business and I do the books, etc. Nice coffee set up! I just read the reviews on your set up at Coffee Geek. Still haven't caught the upgrade fever with mine yet.

BTW, "your" Neorest is in a big box on my front porch, sitting next to the whole house fan, a giant console sink and some plywood.

We just had another flooring guy come to give us an estimate for our marmoleum. The first one hasn't even called us back and he was here over two weeks ago.

Speaking of coffee, it's time for a Latte.

golddust,
I had a friend like you... she made the BEST cappuccino. She was an expert barrista and had perfected her craft. I watched her many many times in my consideration of an espresso machine, but didn't have enough counter space for one.

she even mail ordered chocolate from NYC to grind on top and bought Ille cafe mugs to serve the coffee in. It was quite an experience drinking coffee with her.

alas, she moved back to Sydney Australia. this little town didn't offer quite enough for her cosmopolitan tastes and she wanted to raise her kids in a more "true" diverse society vs. the manufactured one we are trying to create in my area.

That sounds more like Homepro - she even knows how to roast her own beans! I'm no expert even though I've had some kind of espresso maker for the past 8 years. My grown nephew is an expert barista. I put him to work the second he walks in the door!

I cut out the chocolate indulgence several years ago but have been thinking of picking some up again lately.

I had some of those Ille mugs. Wonder what I did with them... Maybe they are sleeping in the back of some ceiling cupboard.

Revisiting the original topic... would an Oxo "pop" container stored in a cabinet be a terrible idea for storing the ground coffee? It's a clear plastic with an air-tight seal and a very ergonomic way of opening and closing the container. The plastic has no BPA's. It would be cool and dark inside the cabinet.

And Oxo has a photo of coffee beans on the paper insert. ;-)