What are the sworn enemies of coffee?
To keep coffee fresh, you need to protect it from four key elements:

1. Air (Oxygen): Causes oxidation, making the coffee age quickly.
2. Humidity: Promotes mold and alters the oils.
3. Heat: Speeds up the deterioration of flavors.
4. Light: UV rays degrade the beans and grounds.

Should I put coffee in the refrigerator?
No, it is not recommended for daily use.
The refrigerator is a humid environment full of odors.

• The problem: Every time you take the jar out of the fridge, the temperature change creates condensation inside the container. This moisture is absorbed by the coffee, ruining it.
• The exception: Also, coffee is like a sponge: it absorbs the odors of other foods (onion, cheese, etc.).

What about the freezer?
Only in specific cases.
You can freeze coffee only if you have bought a large quantity (e.g., 1-2 kg) that you will not use for a long time.

• How to do it: Divide it into small portions sealed vacuum-tight or in airtight bags.
• Golden rule: Once thawed, never refreeze it and consume it within a short time.

What is the best container for coffee?
The perfect container must be airtight and opaque.

• Materials: Stainless steel, ceramic, or dark glass are great. If you use clear glass, you need to keep it inside a dark cabinet.
• Closure: It must have a rubber or silicone seal to prevent air from entering.

Can I leave it in the original bag?
Yes, as long as it is well sealed.
Many quality bags have a degassing valve (that small plastic button with holes). This valve is brilliant: it allows the carbon dioxide released by the coffee to escape but prevents oxygen from entering.

• Tip: Close the bag with a strong clip or transfer the entire bag into an airtight jar.

How long does coffee last once opened?
It depends on the type, but the rule is "the sooner you use it, the better."

• Ground coffee: It loses about 60% of its aroma within 15-20 minutes of opening if left exposed to air. In an airtight jar, try to use it within 2 weeks.
• Coffee beans: The beans retain their aroma much longer because less surface area is exposed to air. In an airtight container, they can stay fresh for 3-4 weeks.

Is it better to buy coffee beans or ground coffee?
For storage, beans win.
Grinding coffee just before brewing (with a manual or electric grinder) is the single best upgrade you can make to your daily cup. Ground coffee has too much surface exposed to oxygen and "dies" much sooner.

How do I know if the coffee has gone bad?
Coffee rarely "expires" in the sense that it becomes toxic (unless it has developed mold due to moisture), but it does become rancid.

• Smell: If you don’t smell that intense aroma as soon as you open the jar, or if you detect a stale or cardboard-like odor, the oils have oxidized.
• Taste: It will taste flat, unpleasantly bitter, and lack aromatic notes.
• Appearance (for espresso): If you make an espresso and no "crema" forms on the surface, the coffee is likely old or poorly stored.

Espresso requires some precise rules:

• Quality coffee
• Recommended roasting within 30-40 days
• Fine grind
• Water temperature around 90-92°
• A single dose of 8-9 g (double dose of 15-17 g)
• Extraction time of about 25 seconds

Using quality espresso machines (starting from €600 and up) can ensure a better result.
Prefer machines that also have a grinder to grind "fresh" coffee

The Moka requires a bit of attention:

• Use filtered or bottled water (NO TAP WATER)
• Recommended roasting within 30-40 days
• Medium-fine grind
• Fill the boiler with water without exceeding the valve
• Put the ground coffee in the filter without pressing or making little mounds, just level it to the edge
• Place on medium heat
• Wait for the liquid to rise through the chimney, without letting it bubble (TURN OFF AS SOON AS THE COFFEE FLOW STARTS TO GO FAST AND COLORLESS)
• Stir before serving

The Moka should be washed only with water and mild detergents (making sure to rinse thoroughly with water), never in the dishwasher or with abrasive sponges.