Proper coffee storage is crucial for maintaining quality and managing inventory effectively in your family-owned cafe. Understanding how to store coffee correctly can help you reduce waste, ensure consistent quality, and maximize the value of your wholesale coffee purchases.
Coffee beans are sensitive to four main factors: air, moisture, heat, and light. Create a dedicated storage area that protects your coffee from these elements. The ideal storage conditions are:
Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C)
Humidity: 50-70%
Light: Minimal exposure
Air: Limited exposure through proper container selection
Invest in quality storage containers that are airtight and opaque. While it might be tempting to display your beans in clear containers for aesthetic purposes, this can accelerate degradation. Instead, consider small display amounts with the bulk of your inventory properly stored.
Implement a robust inventory rotation system using FIFO (First In, First Out) principles. Clearly label all containers with:
Coffee name/blend
Roast date
Lot number
Open date
Expected use-by date
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