Airtight storage helps protect aroma and flavor. Fresh coffee is all about protecting aroma. Oxygen, moisture, heat, and light are the four things that make great beans taste flat faster than they should. Here’s the simple, no-hype way to store coffee so it stays vibrant from the first cup to the last. The quick answer Store whole beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature, away from the stove and sunlight. Buy what you’ll use in 2–4 weeks, and keep the bag se