What are some ways I can store coffee to keep it fresh as long as possible?

Hi Erik, So, how your coffee tastes depends on many factors such as quality, origin, roast or preparation of the coffee. There are also a few things you can keep in mind when it comes to storage so that the coffee does not lose its taste so quickly after roasting. Roasted coffee is a fresh product and loses its aroma over time. Contact with oxygen leads to an oxidation of the oils, fats and waxes contained in the coffee, so the coffee loses its aroma after a while and it actually tastes very bad. It is therefore advisable to use the coffee quickly after opening. After opening the coffee packaging, the loss of aroma can be prevented through optimal storage and the selection of the right coffee packaging. Here are my tips for you: Buy coffee whole beans Ground coffee quickly loses its aroma. That is why I recommend buying whole coffee beans. In this way, coffee can be stored more effectively and without having to deal with any loss of taste. Don't let your coffee sit on the shelf for too long Coffee can't go bad, but it can lose its aroma. Therefore, use your coffee beans within 4 - 8 weeks after opening and pre-ground coffee within 4 weeks. Otherwise it will lost most of its taste and aroma. Protect coffee from its natural enemies Coffee’s natural enemies are air, moisture, warmth and light. Make sure that the packaging of your coffee is well closed and store it in a dark, dry and cool place if possible - not in the refrigerator! You can find out why below. It's all about the packaging! The packaging of your coffee should have an valve and indicate the roast date. Gases in the coffee can escape through the valve without air entering the pack. The roast date tells you how fresh your roast coffee really is. Why is the valve important? Coffee gives off carbon dioxide (CO2) in the first few days after roasting, so coffee should outgas a few days after roasting before it reaches you. CO2 can escape through the aroma valve on the pack, but no outside air can get into the pack. Does coffee belong in the fridge? I think: No. Coffee easily absorbs moisture and foreign flavors. And who wants coffee to taste like cheese or onion? The freezer is really only suitable as a long-term storage method for coffee beans. The advantage of freezing is that oxidation is prevented, coffee oils freeze and volatile aromas do not escape. If you want to freeze your coffee, the best way to proceed is to freeze the coffee beans in an airtight container or by using a vacuum sealer. The vacuum sealer is a good option for storing the beans in small quantities, let’s say in grams per cup. The day before the beans are used, take the appropriate amount from the freezer and let them thaw, then open the container. In this way, the beans are not exposed directly to the warm room air and do not condense on the surface. The freezer is a good option if you wish to store your coffee beans for a long period of time. But: only freeze your beans if you absolutely have to. Better to adjust your buying behaviour and only buy coffee when you need it. You should also note that beans that have already been thawed will not be refrozen. Let me know if you have any more questions regarding storing coffee!