All coffee is roasted, whether whole bean or ground. This roasting process heats the coffee bean and caramelizes the sugars in coffee. It is through the roasting process that gases are created that degrades the coffees flavor. This flavor loss happens no matter the quality of the beans purchased. Much like fruit, milk or bread, coffee is perishable… so keeping coffee fresh is very important. Our coffee vault comes with a freshness valve that helps keep coffee fresh. So, when buying the best coffee beans, be sure to purchase the right storage container to keep them fresh longer!