Research Shows Freezing Beans Can Preserve Aroma

Andrew Cotter's day does not begin until he's had his “cup of Joe,” a ritual he takes seriously as one of a growing group of coffee consumers who grind and brew specialty coffee beans at home for a more flavorful and fragrant experience.

One morning, as the scent of freshly brewing coffee enveloped his kitchen, he wondered if storing roasted coffee beans in the freezer – a popular preservation method – was helpful in maintaining their aroma.

As a food science major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the 2018 graduate had a unique opportunity to investigate his pondering, the res...