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Best coffee canisters


The 6 Best Coffee Canisters of 2023

Proper storage is an essential but easily overlooked factor in the taste of coffee. Even mild exposure to sunlight or oxygen reduces coffee's shelf life and diminishes flavor, so it’s best to keep beans in a dark, vacuum-sealed container.

Every canister and canister set on this list was sent to our coffee expert as part of our home testing process. Our reviewer spent more than a month comparing the items in his own kitchen and evaluating each one on its design, performance, durability, cleaning, and overall value. After storing coffee in the canisters for five weeks, he brewed the beans and rated every cup on its aroma, bloom, and taste.

Here are the best coffee canisters for your kitchen, according to our tests.

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

One of the best ways to keep coffee beans fresh is by protecting them from oxygen. Few kitchen canisters do a better job of that than the Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister. In fact, the brand says its canisters increase coffee shelf life by roughly 50 percent. After testing the item for five weeks, our reviewer confirmed that the canister does keep coffee fresh longer than the majority of other options he used, although he can't definitively corroborate the 50 percent claim.

To make coffee beans last longer, the canister has an airtight seal that forms after users twist the lid back and forth several times. A handy vacuum lock indicator reveals when air has been fully purged from the canister and oxygen is prevented from entering. Along with its performance, our reviewer praised the canister for its stylish design and lightweight but durable material. There are three size options, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2 liters; two choices for material, borosilicate glass or stainless steel; and two colors available, matte black and matte white.

One drawback to note is that our tester said the lid isn't the easiest to clean, as Fellow advises against rinsing it under running water. The canister is also a tad pricier than many similarly sized alternatives, but the cost is worth it in the end for fresher, tastier coffee.

Price at time of publish: $35

Capacity: 0.4, 0.7, and 1.2 liters | Material: Stainless steel and glass | Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.25 x 4.9 inches (0.7-liter model) | Dishwasher Safe: No

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"This canister not only looks good in the kitchen, but it also performs well. With a few quick twists, the canister forms one of the most effective airtight seals we tested."

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

The only thing better than coffee is a lot of coffee, but it’s tough to buy in bulk when you’re worried about all those beans going stale. Luckily, the Planetary Design Airscape Kilo is spacious enough to store a whopping 2.5 pounds of ground or whole bean coffee as well as 5 pounds of flour and sugar, making it one of the largest airtight canisters you can find. Despite its size, our product tester says the item looked sleek and subtle on his countertop thanks to its matte colorways—white, gray, or charcoal.

Our reviewer found that what really sets this canister apart is its inner lid, which users press down via a handle to remove the air from inside. Our reviewer tested seven canisters in total, brewing coffee beans stored in each one over a period of five weeks, and the coffee beans kept in this canister tied for first place in freshness and flavor. He also found the Airscape easy to clean, even though it's not dishwasher safe, because its large size let him reach all parts inside with a sponge.

If you like the product and want a full set for your kitchen, Planetary Design produces the Airscape in two other sizes: a small canister, which holds 8 ounces of coffee, and a medium-sized one, which can store up to 1 pound. All options are sold at reasonable prices—even this bulk one.

Price at time of publish: $41

Capacity: 3.55 liters | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 8 inches | Dishwasher Safe: No

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"This heavy-duty canister is great to have around the house no matter what you're storing. Plus, it costs around the same amount as some smaller canisters."

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What We Like

What We Don't Like

Oxo manufactures a variety of items to help households run smoothly, including its line of Pop containers. This 1.6-liter BPA-free Pop container is specifically designed for coffee, and it's one of the best values compared to other coffee canisters out there.

The easy-to-use lid forms an airtight seal when the Pop button is pressed down. The button can also be used as a handle when raised. Some online reviewers say the button can stick after long-term use, but our product tester found it extremely smooth after one month of testing.

The canister is large enough to hold a 1-pound bag of coffee, whether ground or whole bean, yet slim enough to save valuable counter space because of its rectangular design. A coffee scoop is included with the purchase, as well. The Pop container's corners are rounded, though, so you can pour beans directly from it if you prefer.

This is an updated version of a previous Oxo coffee canister. The two are similar in size, price, and design, but the newer model comes with a couple of upgrades, especially regarding its ease of cleaning. It is now dishwasher safe (aside from the lid) after previously being hand wash only.

Price at time of publish: $23

Capacity: 1. 6 liters | Material: Plastic and steel | Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 6.3 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (container and silicone gasket only)

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"It's one of the first coffee canisters we would recommend because of its simple design, low price, and reliable airtight seal."

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What We Don't Like

An airtight seal is just the start of what makes this canister a top pick, particularly for ground coffee. It's designed with a one-way CO2 valve that protects the coffee from oxygen while letting it de-gas. There's a unique date wheel on top of the lid to track how long your coffee has been stored, which is something our tester didn't come across with any other canister in the testing process. Coffee Gator even throws in a stainless steel measuring scoop and four replacement valves with the purchase.

This canister is available in three sizes and multiple colors. The medium canister, which our coffee expert tested firsthand, comfortably holds 1 pound of ground or whole bean coffee. Our tester filled the canister with water and shook it upside down over his sink to test the integrity of the airtight seal. Not a single drop of water escaped, showing how well your coffee beans will be protected inside. The item should not be put in the dishwasher, but our reviewer washed inside the canister with a sponge without issue.

Price at time of publish: $26

Capacity: 0.9, 1.3, and 1.9 liters | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 6 inches (1.3-liter model) | Dishwasher Safe: No

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"Even if you don't end up using the calendar dial very often, you can still count on the Coffee Gator Canister to keep coffee beans fresh for weeks. "

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Le Creuset is well known for its colorful cast-iron cookware, and these stoneware canisters capture the brand's signature style. They are available in several eye-catching colors, from a cherry red to an elegant white, so every customer should be able to find an option that matches their kitchen décor. The canisters also have a wooden lid for a nice accent.

We sent the largest model, which holds 2.5 quarts, to our coffee expert. He spent more than a month testing the item and gave it a positive but not outstanding review. Since it isn't specifically designed for coffee, he found it more simplistic than other canisters he tested, some of which include one-way CO2 valves, clasps, coffee scoops, and more. It's also on the expensive end, partially because of the durable stoneware it's made from, so it isn't the best value for money out there. That said, he gave it high marks for freshness, durability, and ease of cleaning. The canister itself is dishwasher safe, although the lid is hand wash only.

You can find the Le Creuset Storage Canister in three sizes, starting at 23 ounces and working up to this 2.5-quart model. This offers the chance to buy a matching set in various sizes should you want to store other kitchen goods, like sugar and flour.

Price at time of publish: $62

Capacity: 23 ounces, 1.5 quarts, and 2.5 quarts | Material: Stoneware and wood | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 8 inches (2.5-quart model) | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (except for wooden lid)

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"The Le Creuset Storage Canister may be a little more style than substance, but like most of the brand's products, it's beautiful, well made, and should stick around for years to come. "

The 11 Best Coffee Tools of 2023

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Coffee storage isn't just for grounds and beans. Pod users will love the DecoBros K-Cup Storage Drawer, which fits 36 K-Cups and even more Nespresso capsules. The simple sliding drawer is a great way to organize your go-to coffee supply and keep countertops clean. When closed, the item measures 13 inches wide, 13 inches long, and 3 inches high—a size that fits comfortably beneath a coffee maker. It's also discreet, thanks to the sleek black steel design. Unfortunately, that's the only color it's sold in.

Our product tester was immediately impressed by the item's weight and durability, especially given its affordable price. He added that the sliding drawer worked smoothly after five weeks of usage and never squeaked or creaked. The drawer has to be cleaned by hand, but this shouldn't be much of an issue since it stores K-Cups instead of actual coffee beans.

Price at time of publish: $23

Capacity: 36 K-Cups | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 3 inches | Dishwasher Safe: No

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Testing Takeaway

"This affordable product keeps K-Cups and other coffee pods organized and easy to access while also saving counter space."

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Final Verdict

The Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister is sleek, easy to use, and available in several sizes and colors, not to mention it has a dependable airtight seal. As an alternative, the Oxo Steel Pop Container has excellent value for money and passed our tests with flying colors.

How We Tested

Every canister and canister set featured in this article was sent to our coffee expert's home and was tested by storing 3 to 5 ounces of coffee beans in each canister; he spent five weeks testing them intermittently. Part of his evaluation looked at how fresh the coffee beans stayed, how easy the lids were to open and close, and how well the canisters withstood general wear and tear. After testing, he submitted feedback about what he liked and disliked, and he rated each canister in the following areas: design, performance, durability, cleaning, and overall value.

Learn More About How We Tested Products

Other Options We Tested

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

What to Look for in a Coffee Canister

Airtight Seal

The number one detail to look for in a coffee canister is whether its seal is airtight or not. This will preserve the life of your coffee beans and keep them fresh for the longest amount of time. Luckily, it's quite easy to find airtight canisters in a number of sizes, designs, and prices.

What the Experts Say

"A lot of coffee bags have valves, those circles right on the bag, to get the oxygen out. You can squeeze out all of the air to extend the life of your coffee beans, but this really isn't a great solution. It's just a backup option." — Allie Caran, Product Manager at BaristaValet

Material

Stainless steel is the most common material a coffee canister is made from, but plastic, ceramic, copper, and glass are all options too. One key detail to look out for is whether the material is translucent and would expose coffee beans to UV rays, which would make them go stale faster. This mainly applies to plastic and glass. Another concern is durability. Would you prefer a more durable material like stainless steel? Or is aesthetic the biggest factor? In which case, you may prefer something that stands out more like ceramic or copper.

Ease of Use

The majority of kitchen canisters are equally easy to use since you normally just pop the lid on and off. However, many models have minor nuances and intricacies to them, including ones on this list. The lid on the Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister can be twisted multiple times to release air trapped inside the jar. It's an extremely helpful feature, but it takes a few extra seconds. Another example is the Planetary Designs Airscape Kilo Canister, which has a plunger lid to press down before the top lid is put on. Some people may prefer these added steps because they improve a product's performance, while other customers care most about simplicity.

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

Capacity

If you routinely get the same size bag of coffee beans, check beforehand when buying a canister to make sure your go-to coffee will fit. Some canisters can hold a pound of whole bean coffee, while others may be too small for that. Price is often linked to storage capacity, so expect to pay a little more for larger canisters.

Sets

Many coffee canisters come in sets or share designs with other canisters that can be purchased separately to make a set. This is handy for storing other goods while keeping the same style in your kitchen. It's also handy for a canister set to have varying sizes, as not all kitchen goods need the same amount of space.

FAQs

Do coffee beans expire?

Roasted coffee beans are a perishable product, but if stored properly they do not spoil or rot. It is highly unlikely that you will get sick by drinking coffee made from old beans, unless the beans have grown mold after being exposed to water. So it is safe to use coffee beans after their expiration or "best by" date has passed. Just expect the flavor to be greatly diminished.

When do coffee beans lose flavor?

If stored properly, whole bean coffee loses nearly all of its flavor in about six to nine months and ground coffee in about three to five months. Coffee steadily begins to lose flavor much earlier than this, however. Whole bean coffee tastes best when brewed within 14 days of roasting, and ground coffee is best within a shorter time frame of about 10 days. This window may feel brief, but don't worry: coffee still tastes good even after these respective time periods have passed. Think of it as a reference point for when coffee is at its peak freshness rather than a deadline by which you have to brew.

Should I keep coffee in the freezer?


It's usually a bad idea to keep coffee in the freezer. Exposure to moisture is one of the biggest factors that makes coffee taste worse, not to mention the temperature fluctuation that could occur from opening and closing the freezer. This rule is not set in stone, however. If coffee beans were sealed airtight and able to avoid moisture, the freezer could slow down the process of them going stale, but it's generally riskier and much more effort for very little, if any, difference compared to storing them in an airtight and opaque coffee canister.

The Spruce Eats / Derek Rose

What is green coffee?

Green coffee refers to coffee beans that haven't been roasted yet. This is also called "raw coffee." Green coffee beans should typically be roasted within one year of purchasing them. Otherwise they may lose their flavor. That said, some roasters choose to age coffee beans for multiple years to accentuate certain flavors in the beans, similar to aging wine or whiskey, but this is an intricate process that only works with certain varieties of coffee.

What is 18/8 stainless steel?

18/8 stainless steel is often used for food and drink products that can include coffee canisters, thermoses, and more. We asked Graham Nearn, the Senior Vice President of Product Creation & Design for PMI Worldwide, to explain what exactly the term means. He explained that 18/8 stainless steel is made from 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel and said it's so commonly used because it's "food-grade, durable, and resistant to corrosion."

Are coffee canisters recyclable? 

Yes. The plastic cans, steel cans, and tin cans that coffee comes in can be recycled. There are also ways to repurpose coffee cans, from using them for fun crafts to turning them into planters, bird feeders, household storage containers, and more.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. To make these selections, he researched the elements and conditions that cause coffee to go stale, referenced customer reviews, and consulted articles published by third-party sites. He spent several weeks testing and reviewing every canister that appears in this article.

Sources

Allie Caran, the Product Manager at BaristaValet, was interviewed for this piece. She previously worked as the director of education at Partners Coffee. Allie has been in the coffee industry for more than 15 years.

Graham Nearn is the Senior Vice President of Product Creation & Design for PMI Worldwide. He oversees the Stanley brand, which has manufactured vacuum flasks and more since 1913.

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The Best Coffee Canisters of 2023

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Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Straight to the Point

Coffee beans begin to go stale after two to three weeks, and that process can be sped up due to improper storage. Coffee canisters are designed to keep coffee fresh for longer. There are three types of coffee canisters: airtight, displacement, and vacuum. However, we found that only vacuum-style canisters made a notable difference in freshness. Coffee bags with a zip seal top and a one-way valve did a pretty good job of keeping coffee fresh, but if you really want one, consider a vacuum-sealed canister like the Fellow Atmos. 

Most bags of coffee have enough beans to make about 16 cups. Of course, this depends on how you brew your coffee. But, roughly speaking, if you drink a cup of coffee a day, a typical bag will last about two to three weeks—that’s approximately how long most roasters would estimate a bag of coffee stays fresh.  

Not everyone finishes a bag of coffee within that time frame, and you might have noticed the brew from the last batch of beans tastes significantly different than the first. When roasted coffee begins to stale, all of its the lovely components—the aromatics, sweetness, and acidity—start to fade. Over time, your coffee might begin to taste flat, even rancid. So what’s an occasional coffee sipper to do as they slowly work through their bag of beans? What about the coffee aficionado who buys multiple bags of beans, toggling through their selection but ultimately slowing down how quickly they go through their stash?  

One possible solution is to store your coffee in a coffee canister: some sort of container whose expressed purpose is to keep coffee fresher, longer. But do you really need one? Or is storing it in its bag just as good? We tested out three different types of canisters to figure it out. 

What Is Fresh Coffee, Anyways?

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Freshness in coffee is a weird thing. For one, it’s not quantifiable—there’s no real expiration date, although some bags do have somewhat meaningless dates that are one to two years after roasting (and some roasters are experimenting with “best by” dates). And regardless, coffee doesn’t go bad in a way that can make you sick. If you drink a very old bag of coffee, the worst it can do is taste…not great. Also, freshness can’t be visually assessed just by looking at the beans, and there’s no one flavor or giveaway sign that a coffee's stale. 

I talked a little bit about freshness in my breakdown of coffee blooming and bubbles. Coffee is an agricultural product—basically, think of it like any other food item we grow and eat—and like most foods, oxygen is what causes coffee to stale. Roasting creates carbon dioxide (CO2) inside of coffee beans, and, in a way, CO2 acts almost as a shield around coffee, protecting it from oxygen. But CO2 eventually leaves coffee beans in a process called degassing, so coffee begins to lose that protective layer over time.  

However, unlike most food items, freshness does not have a linear relationship with flavor and quality: in fact, most roasters would recommend letting your coffee rest for at least a few days after roasting, and our understanding of resting and peak freshness has morphed over time. I remember when I first started as a barista and thought anything five to seven days off-roast was old, and now I barely bat an eye at a coffee that’s been resting for two-plus weeks. CO2 acts as a shield against coffee going stale—but it also acts as an inhibitor to extracting flavor from your grounds. Some folks even recommend waiting as long as eight weeks to enjoy a bag of beans, depending on the roast profile—lighter roasted coffees will release CO2 slower than darker roasted beans because their cellular structures aren’t as open (so CO2 has a harder time moving through the inside of a coffee bean, even though less CO2 is created with lighter coffees).   

And, just to complicate things more, it’s important to note that “resting” a coffee usually means storing it in a container with a one-way valve (the valve lets CO2 out as the coffee degasses but doesn’t let oxygen in)—not simply that a bag of beans will stay tasty for that long. Every time you open a bag of beans and jostle it around, you’re displacing CO2 and letting oxygen in. Some coffee roasters even go as far to recommend only scooping beans out from the very top layer of your bag so as not to disturb the coffee below. Freshness is such a complicated topic in coffee that scientists are studying how it works to understand better what’s going on as coffee stales. 

Are Coffee Canisters Necessary?

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

If you were to ask me 10 years ago if coffee canisters were a necessary coffee tool, I would have said yes. I remember a time where leading coffee brands used what essentially amounted to a fancy version of a brown paper bag for their packaging, closing the tops with a tin tie—which did nothing to preserve freshness. 

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But now? Almost all coffee bags have two really key features to preserve freshness: one, they almost all have a one-way valve, which I mentioned earlier. One-way valves make sure that the CO2 from your degassing coffee has somewhere to go. But secondly: most coffee bags have zip top seals, making them an effective displacement container, especially if you take the added step of squeezing the excess oxygen when you seal the bag. Some coffee companies go an extra step, doing things like nitrogen flushing the bag to displace oxygen when being sealed. 

In this test, I used the bag my coffee came in not just as a control, but also as a viable coffee canister in its own right. I wanted to see if the zip top closure and the one-way valve did enough to keep coffee fresh. 

Types of Coffee Canisters

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

Although most coffee canisters claim to do the same thing—keep coffee fresh—not all canisters are made the same. Coffee YouTuber James Hoffmann tested out a range of coffee canisters on his channel, and he sorted them based on three categories: 

Hoffmann’s video tests about a dozen coffee canisters, and he picks one canister in each category that he thinks performed well, although he notes at the end of testing that he didn’t see a huge difference in flavor between the styles of canisters. 

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I wanted to really hone in on that observation. I can speak on and on about freshness and its complexity, but in a real life scenario where I’m just brewing coffee at home, would I be able to tell the difference, taste-wise, between each style of canister? I chose the three canisters Hoffmann singled out—the Coffeevac, the Airscape, and the Fellow Atmos—each representing a category of canister styles, to put his final conclusion to the test.

The Tests

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

I ordered a coffee roasted by my friends at Lost Sock Roasters in Washington, D.C., and I specifically picked a darker-roasted coffee to speed up the oxidation process. My coffee was roasted on October 19th, I opened it on October 26th, and divided out four equal doses of coffee amongst the three containers and the bag that the coffee came in (which featured a zip top and one-way valve). I then left the canisters alone for eight days, and then brewed coffee with beans from each container using a Kalita Wave and a brewing recipe of 30 grams of coffee to 500 grams of water. 

Each canister worked a little differently: 

I decided that I wanted to primarily rely on taste assessments here because I saw a disconnect between how we talk about freshness and the actual implications freshness has on the way folks at home were consuming coffee. Sure, a coffee that’s been open for a month might not be super fresh, but if it still tastes good, that shouldn’t matter. Likewise, I saw folks recommending super long resting times, but that felt impractical for most home consumers. How many people are buying bags of coffee to let sit on their shelves for weeks before opening? 

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

However, I did want to see if the canisters would effect brewing times: in general, coffee goes through sort of a bell curve in terms of how quickly it brews. Samo Smrke, a scientific associate at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, did an experiment with espresso extraction and found that “very fresh coffee was flowing fast. A coffee that aged a bit flows slower but then once it’s getting really old, it starts to flow again faster.” I wasn’t sure if this was replicable with drip brewing, nor did I duplicate Smrke’s brewing conditions (they used, as they described during their talk with the Specialty Coffee Association, “a fresh coffee, a two months old coffee, and a days old coffee. ”) However, all the brewing times were within 20 seconds of one another: 

Brewing Times, By Storage Method
 Coffee in bag  3:24
 Coffevac  3:16
 Airscape  3:17
 Fellow  3:36

I then tasted all four after letting each cup sit for five minutes, and then I randomized the cups and had fellow Serious Eats writer Jesse Raub taste them (I couldn’t provide anonymized results since I had to brew the cups one at a time, so I knew which cup was which based on temperature). I had him give me his impressions and compared them to my own. 

In general, none of the coffees tasted that much different from one another, but both Jesse and I were able to group the coffees into two separate groups. We found that the Airscape and the Coffeevac cups were indistinguishable from one another, but flatter than the coffees from the Fellow and the coffee bag. We also found the coffee brewed from the Atmos and the coffee bag more vibrant, with the Atmos edging out the coffee bag just a bit—but not by much. I doubt I’d notice the difference if I wasn’t looking for it. 

The Conclusion: Most Coffee Canisters Aren't Worth It (with the Exception of Vacuum-Sealed Ones)

Serious Eats / Ashley Rodriguez

This sort of feels…anticlimactic, right? I felt the same way Hoffmann feels at the end of his video. “The results, from a taste perspective, were not what I hoped them to be,” he says. I wanted there to be big, surprising results, but there weren’t, which leads me to the same conclusion Hoffmann makes: “That would also mean, in many situations, I would also be happy storing coffee in a resealable bag.” 

So the first place to start when considering buying a coffee canister is how you buy coffee: if you order beans online or buy bags from your local coffee shop, the best piece of advice I can offer is to buy coffee from roasters who make resealable bags. Squeeze out any excess oxygen anytime you open the bag, and make sure to store your coffee in a cool, dark place (we didn’t talk much about this, but I specifically chose non-transparent canisters to test since light can affect aging and staling). 

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But if you buy your coffee in bulk or regularly share beans with others, an airtight container like a Mason jar will do well for you, unless you really want to step up your freshness game—then I’d skip over any airtight or displacement canisters and go straight for the Fellow Atmos. Not only did it keep coffee the freshest and the best-tasting of the bunch of canisters we tested, but its design features make it easier to use than similar models. 

FAQs

What other elements should I consider when storing coffee? 

You want to keep your coffee away from light, heat, and moisture. In this experiment, we only purchased canisters that were opaque, although many manufacturers sell glass or clear canisters, which are fine as long as you store them in a dark place like a cabinet or drawer.  

Can I store ground coffee in a canister? 

In the airtight and displacement ones, yes, but not in the Fellow Atmos. According to the Fellow website, “Storing ground coffee or very fine substances may clog the intake valve and prevent a proper vacuum seal.”

Can I use a coffee canister for other items? 

Yes! There’s nothing about most canisters that are specific to coffee—tea, spices, or anything that could degrade over time when exposed to oxygen. But be mindful and read the instructions to make sure you can use your canister for other things. For example, Fellow suggests you shouldn’t store ground coffee in their Atmos canisters since the particles could clog the intake valve. 

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The 7 Best Coffee Storage Cans and Containers

A great cup of coffee starts with the right coffee beans, but often not enough attention is paid to how we handle them. Like any natural product, coffee deteriorates over time, and without proper storage, even the best beans will become stale and tasteless.

So what makes a good coffee tin? Read below for must-have storage products and some of our favorite brands.

At a glance:

While you may have bought the best coffee on the market, if you store it in poor quality or makeshift containers, it will spoil long before you can use it all. Stale coffee has an unpleasant, sharply bitter taste. Definitely not the taste you were hoping for!

Although many people believe that coffee, unlike other natural products, cannot go bad, it actually has a very limited shelf life (1).

It is helpful to think of coffee as a product with a seasonal cycle, like apples, peaches or asparagus.

Sweet Maria's Coffee Roastery

So, when it comes to storing and keeping beans fresh, what's the best approach?

Invest in the right coffee container! We promise it's worth the time and money because without it, you're essentially throwing away all the great coffee you just bought.

7 best coffee storage containers to keep your coffee fresh

Product Read more Button
Best Overall Gator coffee can
  • Glass or stainless steel
  • Vacuum seal
  • 11.1oz, 16oz, 22oz
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Second place Vacuum container Fellow Atmos
  • Glass or stainless steel
  • Vacuum seal
  • 6.2 oz, 11.1 oz, 16 oz
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Most Customizable Airscape Coffee Storage Canister
  • Stainless steel
  • Vacuum seal
  • 8 oz, 16 oz
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OXO Good Grips Pop Container
  • BPA free plastic
  • Vacuum seal
  • Various sizes
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Veken coffee canister
  • Stainless steel
  • Sealed silicone seal
  • 16oz, 22oz
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Canister Kofevak
  • plastic
  • Vacuum seal
  • 16 oz
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Coffee house Friis
  • Stainless steel
  • Pressure seal
  • 12oz, 16oz
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Gator coffee can

Best Overall

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Vacuum container Fellow Atmos

Second place

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Airscape Coffee Storage Canister

Most Customizable

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OXO Good Grips Pop Container

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Veken coffee canister

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Canister Kofevak

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Coffee house Friis

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We highly recommend investing in good coffee makers such as milk frothers (check out our top picks), gooseneck kettles (like this), measuring instruments, and containers, as they make the coffee brewing process and coffee tastes much better.

While a glass jar or similar container may be "good" at keeping your coffee beans fresh, you're still missing out on the best flavor notes by not storing them the way you could. As with food canning, there are good and bad ways to make coffee. the last one is the best.

The ultimate coffee container, specially designed to keep your coffee fresh without the irritants that detract from the taste of your beans.

While there are many coffee cans on the market, they are certainly not all created equal.

Since finding a quality coffee jar requires a bit of research and know-how, we've gone ahead and done the job for you. Below are the top 7 coffee storage containers. Find one that suits your needs and kitchen aesthetic and indulge your coffee.

1. Gator coffee can - Best overall

Features

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The Coffee Gator has a handy date wheel on the lid so you can see at a glance how long your coffee will stay fresh.

The canister does not allow air to pass through the secure lid locking system while CO2 can still escape through the valve on the lid. Unlike some of the other options on this list, this canister valve has a premium look to match its quality. Coffee Gator recommends replacing valves every 6 months, with additional valves available for purchase.

The Gator Coffee Container protects your coffee from harmful sunlight and comes in a variety of colors so you can choose the one that best matches your kitchen aesthetic.

This canister is available in small, medium and large sizes, each capable of holding about half a pound, 9 pounds and 1.3 pounds respectively. The Coffee Gator also comes with a 30ml scoop and a 4oz jar. travel canister for coffee for convenience.

2. Fellow Atmos vacuum container - Second place

Specifications

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San Francisco based brand Fellow has made a name for itself creating beautifully designed products for coffee lovers and this coffee vault is no exception. If you've seen a Fellow kettle, coffee grinder or French press, you know this canister continues the same minimalist lines.

Atmos features a unique sealing method. The lid swivels back and forth to create a vacuum, and a green light on the top of the canister will alert you when you've reached the required pressure. To open the lid, simply press the easy open button. Combined with a sealed silicone O-ring, this does a great job of keeping the beans free of oxygen, but it lacks a one-way valve to allow CO to build up. 2 Escape.

The Atmos vacuum container is available in three sizes and two materials: glass or steel. If you don't store your coffee in a dark cabinet, opt for stainless steel versions to protect the beans from UV rays.

3. Airscape Coffee Storage Can - Most Customizable

Specifications

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The Airscape coffee storage container features a patented valve system that expels oxygen and CO. 2 and then securely lock the cap in place with vacuum. This canister is designed to meet all the pressing needs of coffee storage, allowing users to adjust the lid to fit more tightly depending on the amount of coffee.

Canister comes in several classic colors and two sizes: 64 oz. holds up to 1 lb. coffee and 32 oz holding up to ½ lb. Airscape can also be used to store dry food.

In addition to the airtight lid that fits over the top of the canister, Airscape has an inner lid that can be inserted into the container exactly to the level of the coffee. With this feature and elegant design, Airscape is highly regarded as one of the best coffee storage tools. The top cap is made from BPA-free clear plastic, allowing you to see exactly how much coffee is left in the canister.

4. OXO Good Grips pop container 9No

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OXO Good Grips Pop Container stores coffee beans in a BPA free container. It can hold up to 1 lb of whole coffee beans, ground coffee, or pretty much any other dry food you like.

The coffee is protected from air by a simple vacuum seal on the container lid. Even with a button at the top, this container is still stackable, making it easy to store in the kitchen or pantry. OXO's Pop Containers come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find a multi-pack for all your food storage needs.

Unfortunately, while these OXO containers with good grips are definitely not breathable, they are also not breathable for natural CO. 2 produced by roasted coffee to avoid. Other coffee storage canisters are equipped with a one-way valve to remove CO. 2 to keep your coffee fresh longer, so if you don't buy fresh beans that often, this is not the best option for you. We also want these containers to be opaque. Unlike steel and opaque containers, clear polypropylene cannot protect coffee from harmful UV rays, so store them in a dark place.

5. Veken coffee canister

Specifications

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The Veken canister is Amazon's bestseller and we understand why. It has a long list of features that will delight any coffee lover, including some we didn't even know existed.

Let's look at the basics first. The canister itself is made from stainless steel which provides the best protection from the sunlight that ruins your beans. The lid closes with a latch and is fitted with a BPA-free silicone seal, making it airtight. Importantly, Veken includes a one-way valve, also with a silicone seal, for extra freshness.

Handy extras include a date tracker that lets you set the day and month you filled the canister. Even properly stored beans will become obsolete over time, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on the expiration date. Inside there is a scale that shows how many ounces are left in the container. You can see at a glance how many cups of coffee you can make before you have to buy more beans.

The design can be a little clunky, but we appreciate the fact that it's available in seven different colors. You are sure to find one to match your coffee maker or kitchen décor.

6. Coffee pot

Features

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The Coffeevac may seem simple, but it is one of the most popular coffee storage devices on the market today. For those looking for versatile coffee brewing tools, Coffeevac can also be used to keep other dry foods fresh.

It has a partial vacuum, an airtight seal to keep your beans fresh, and a pressure relief valve to release any CO2 buildup inside the container. The Coffeevac coffee canister is airtight and holds up to one pound of coffee, so you can store an entire bag without worrying it will go bad.

Like the Lovffee coffee container, the Coffeevac Airtight coffee container is dishwasher safe, making cleaning and maintenance very easy. However, it is known to crack easily, so be careful when cleaning the coffee maker.

In addition to the many color combinations, the Coffeevac coffee maker is also 100% recyclable.

7. Friis Coffee House

Features

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The elegant Friis Coffee Vault is a well-built canister that can store a whole pound of coffee beans.

The lid provides an airtight seal to keep air out while the freshness valve allows CO2 to escape at the same time. These valves usually last about 2 months before losing their maximum efficiency. Users can buy replacement valves on the company's website.

The combination of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic provides sufficient protection from sunlight and looks great in any kitchen. Friis is available in silver, black and red. not is dishwasher safe, so take a moment to just wash this canister by hand.

What makes coffee stale?

The undisputed enemies of coffee in any form are oxygen, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, humidity and temperature fluctuations (2).

Oxygen causes oxidation, which robs coffee of its freshness and flavor by drying out the natural oil found in the coffee. The influence of oxygen, combined with the constant release of carbon dioxide from the beans, makes the taste of the beans dull.

Ultraviolet sunlight breaks down the chemical compounds in coffee that preserve its flavor and quality, leaving it without aroma or taste.

Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can upset beans, like most foods, and affect taste. As we mentioned earlier, coffee in any form should be stored at room temperature and moderate humidity levels.

Time can of course also affect the freshness of the coffee, especially if it has not been stored properly. However, regardless of your storage method, there is a limited amount of time that coffee beans or ground coffee will be fresh enough to be enjoyed.

What is the best way to store coffee beans?

The best way to keep roasted coffee from spoiling is to store it in an opaque, airtight container. Ideally, one that has a vacuum/airtight seal.

Coffee beans can be pretty, but avoid transparent containers that will let light ruin your coffee.

National Coffee Association, USA

Now, while air tightness is important, the best coffee container will have a valve that allows the natural CO2 released by the roasted beans to escape. By allowing the beans to "degas", you make it easier to extract when you're ready to brew (3).

A little degassing is good, especially when making espresso. If too much carbon dioxide is present in the beans during brewing, its release will disrupt the immersion of the coffee grounds in the water and thus make extraction more difficult.

Perfect Daily Grind

Regarding the different forms of coffee, there are general recommended ways to store it.

Related: Best Home Coffee Roasters

Verdict

The bottom line is that if you want your beans to stay at their best, not just any container will do. Our favorite is Gator coffee canister, which will protect your special beans from oxygen, sunlight and moisture. We also love the addition of the date wheel and the range of fun colors.

Whatever design you choose for your coffee, remember to keep it away from heat. And if the container isn't completely opaque, you'll need to store it in a dark place, like a closet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do not store coffee in the refrigerator. During the roasting process, coffee beans dry out, so they easily absorb moisture from the surrounding air, especially in humid environments such as refrigerators. A sudden change in temperature also leads to the formation of condensation on the grains.

You should grind your coffee as close to brewing as possible. It is estimated that the taste begins to change as early as 30 minutes after grinding (4). If you need any guidance, we have listed some of our favorite coffee grinders. Here.

Coffee beans can be stored in the freezer for several months, but only if the container is completely sealed. When you plan to use them, you need to let the beans come to room temperature. to opening the seal to prevent condensation.

Recommendations

  1. Green coffee storage. (th). Retrieved from https://legacy.sweetmarias. com/library/green.coffee.issues
  2. National Coffee Association. (th). Retrieved from http://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/how-to-store-coffee.
  3. Tark, S. (April 9, 2019). How to store roasted coffee and extend its freshness. Retrieved from https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2019/04/how-to-store-roasted-coffee-prolong-its-freshness/
  4. Woodside, E. (December 17, 2020). Big mistake you make when grinding coffee beans. Mashed.com Retrieved from https://www.mashed.com/222386/the-big-mistake-youre-making-when-grinding-coffee-beans/

Thomas

Husband, father and former journalist, I combined my love of writing with my love of coffee to create this website. I love high quality products, but I write all my content for coffee lovers on a budget. I prefer a light roast and my usual drink is something like a pour over, although my guilty pleasure is sometimes a flat white.

Italian coffee bean brands

Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting in an outdoor cafe on a street in Rome, sipping a perfectly sweet espresso and eating biscotti. Okay, right? To recreate the atmosphere at home, you do not need to buy a plane ticket. Italian coffee brands will help you with this. Italy is the birthplace of espresso coffee and its coffee culture is world famous, which is quite curious because coffee is not grown in Italy.

A cup of espresso

And in fact, Italian coffee beans do not exist. All right. Only instead of climate and coffee plantations, the Italians have one of the best traditions in the world of mixing and roasting quality coffee beans.

The show is run by medium and dark roasts.

Italians prefer medium to dark roast coffee because Italian coffee culture is centered around espresso. Dark roasted coffee beans are more porous, which means you can extract their flavor faster. This is very important when preparing a shot of espresso.

With espresso, light roasts can be under-extracted and taste sour. Many people roast their espresso darker so that the beans dissolve well.

This is why it is recommended to use medium or dark roasted Italian brands. Plus, the medium to dark range is exactly what most roasters specialize in and ensures you get an authentic Italian product. It is important, however, to use a high quality espresso machine.

Whole beans are best

It is recommended to buy whole bean coffee and grind it yourself as close to the time of brewing as possible. This guarantees the optimal taste of the coffee beans.

The best Italian coffee brands are tolerant of ground coffee beans. Illy's patented airtight canisters are a great way to ensure the freshest taste of your ground coffee.

If you buy ground coffee, pay attention to the size of the ground beans. Most North American brands offer only one grind size designed for drip coffee machines. At the same time, Italian brands usually offer ultra-fine espresso grinds.

Please make sure you select the correct grind for your brew method before purchasing.

Don't be afraid of Robusta

Robusta beans are divisive in the coffee industry. For a long time, this variety was considered lower in quality than Arabica beans. But is it really so? And if so, why do so many experienced Italian roasters use it? Robusta beans are easier to grow (they are more durable), which makes them cheaper. They also have more caffeine. This variety is added to espresso blends for two reasons:

That's why espresso and robusta are the perfect combination. So why doesn't robusta bean have the best reputation? Some tasters consider it to have an unpleasant "rubbery" taste, but manufacturers believe this has more to do with poor processing than with the beans themselves.

In fact, there is no reason to refuse Robusta beans, especially if they have been in the hands of experienced roasters from Italy. Whether you're making Italian-style espresso using an espresso machine or a Moka coffee pot, these coffee beans can add incredible flavor to your favorite cup of coffee.

Destination

The main export markets where the most coffee brand products from Italy are left are as follows (listed in descending order):

Followed by Austria, Lithuania, Poland and Holland. In addition, sales in the markets of China and South Korea are growing strongly (sales growth is about 50% per year).

With around 800 packaged coffee companies, Italy is now the second largest producer in Europe (after Germany) in terms of production and export of roasted coffee.

Illy and Lavazza dominate the market

There are quite a few coffee bean brands from Italy, but two companies dominate the market today, Illy and Lavazza. With over two centuries of experience, any of these coffee brands are a win-win for coffee gourmets.

Illy is considered the more expensive of the two, which is reflected in the price. They use blends of 100% Arabica beans, which means the Illy coffee has a more subtle flavor and refined sweetness. Illy is an excellent choice for both espresso and filter coffee.

In contrast, Lavazza often uses a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans in its blends, making them less expensive and higher in caffeine. Robusta imparts a darker, earthier flavor and provides a thick layer of crema. Lavazza is a great choice for espresso, mocha or french press coffee.

Popular producers

Here are 5 Italian coffee brands that are a true symbol of Made in Italy all over the world.

Lavazza

The Lavazza mentioned just above is a blend of Arabica from Brazil and Robusta from Africa, so we can say that this coffee is mainly of South American and African origin.

Bean processing takes place mainly in Turin, in northern Italy. This blend has a deep and rich taste, golden cream and warm color. The aroma contains notes of chocolate and dried fruits. Full, smooth and "peaty" taste is achieved by medium roasting of the beans. The Lavazza blend meets strict quality standards and the coffee beans are carefully selected.

The perfect grind (not too fine and not too coarse) designed to give you the perfect espresso every time. The characteristic taste makes it a traditional Italian product.

Illy

Illy caffè is one of the most famous Italian coffee bean brands in the world. The name Illy comes from the name of the founder of the company, which is still run by a representative of the family: Andrea Illy. The company recently introduced a variety of coffee blends originating in Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Colombia, Costa Rica and India. The original Illy blend is 100% Arabica, but the exact ingredients are unknown.

Vergnano

Caffè Vergnano is a company that is true to the best Italian traditions, and at the same time one of the most dynamic and innovative. They have been making coffee since 1882. For over 130 years, Caffè Vergnano has been selecting and processing the finest coffees from around the world. The company has a production site with an area of ​​13500 m2 and 14 automated production lines.

Today Vergnano is one of the five most famous Italian coffee brands. It has over 4500 customers in the HORECA sector and over 70 coffee shops in 19countries of the world. In addition, the company successfully exports its products to more than 80 countries, striving for international development.

Segafredo

Segafredo (also known as Segafredo Zanetti) has a turnover of over 1.5 billion euros, making it one of Italy's leading ground coffee companies. The company was founded by Massimo Zanetti and has expanded significantly over the past 20 years. Segafredo products are popular all over the world: the brand's products are currently present in more than 100 countries. The packaging method is also unique: coffee is packed in a vacuum, and such packaging is well recognizable.

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