Don't cry over stale coffee: Tips to keep your brew fresh and aromatic

It's hard to envision starting the day without a steaming cup of coffee. Its inspring aroma invigorates and makes those cold, dark, autumn mornings more tolerable. However, nobody likes their coffee to be stale - an issue which is easy enough to prevent.

For those who do not partake frequently, there is a chance your coffee, stowed away in the cabinet, may turn stale and lose its enticing aroma. Before you discard it, learn how you can salvage those precious beans.

While it’s easy to blame the manufacturers for poor coffee quality, poor storage is usually the real culprit. The most common mistake is poor storage. A few days won’t do much harm, but weeks on end in inappropriate conditions will. Avoid storing your coffee beans at high temperatures, in humid environments or alongside pungent spices. Direct sun exposure is also detrimental to the coffee, rendering your kitchen windowsill an unsuitable spot.

For optimal storate, coffee should be kept in a tightly sealed container, like a jar or can. Remaining true to the original packaging is best; simply reseal opened bags with a clip. Also, it’s best to grind only the amount of coffee you plan on brewing.

There's an old saying, 'there's no use crying over spilt milk'. Luckily for us, there's hope for stale coffee after all. Instead of throwing it away, pair it with chocolate. Place a few pieces of dark chocolate in the coffee can, seal it up, and set it aside for a couple of days. The less stale the coffee, the better chance of a successful revival.

But prevention is better than cure. Shop intendly and wisely as it's the most effective way to avoid waste. Novel varieties, festive flavours or enticing packaging can distract, but it's worth being honest with yourself about whether you truly need more coffee. Heeding this simple rule while shopping can reap double rewards – saving money from not buying unnecessary products and helping the environment by reducing food wastage.