You wake up, roll out of bed, and drag yourself to the kitchen, only to find that your coffee doesn’t taste as it should. Now, you might be wondering, “What did I do wrong? How did this happen? Why me?” Take a deep breath. It’s not your fault; your coffee beans have simply lost its freshness over time. So, don’t stress out about it or be overly dramatic. It affects everyone.
Whether it is ground coffee, instant coffee or the premium coffee you bought last month, you should consume it within two to three weeks for the best flavor and taste. Because no matter the expiration date, once you kind of open the bag, it races against the staleness. So either you have to consume the coffee as soon as possible or store it properly in a dry, cool place for optimal flavor.
Does coffee go bad?
Many wonder if coffee can go bad. The answer is yes; just like most foods and drinks in this world, coffee does go bad. The coffee will simply lose some of its quality and pleasant taste. However, it can last even longer if you know how to store it properly.
The way coffee is harvested, processed and packaged also impacts how long the beans stay fresh. Many manufacturers also use methods like food-safe nitrogen, vacuum seals, or one way valve coffee bags to retain their aroma and flavor.
Most coffee that is purchased in a store will have a “best by” date, it is recommended to use it within 3 to 4 weeks for optimal freshness. However, if you don’t think that is long enough, you can use it for a longer period, though the flavor will not be at its peak.
How long does coffee stay fresh?
People tend to stock up on things they love. As a coffee lover, you might keep plenty of beans and grounds on your shelf, hoping they’ll stay fresh. Unfortunately, that’s not happening. “Just like you get old, your coffee can grow mold.” Naturally, it makes you wonder what is the shelf life of coffee. So, let’s dive deeper into this.
Green beans: Whole green beans have a longer shelf life and will last 3 to 5 months if you store them properly. However, an unopened bag with a one way valve will last up to 9 months. But after this point, your coffee might not taste as good as you’re expecting. Even though an unopened coffee bag lasts longer, once opened, you need to seal it tightly after each use and make sure to store it in a cool, dry place.
Roasted coffee beans: Roasted beans stay fresh for 2 to 3 months after the “roasted on” date. However, once you open the bag, it’s best to use it within a month to get the best result.
Ground coffee: Ground coffee will usually continue to be good for 3 to 5 months. An unopened bag of coffee grounds can last up to five months. Nevertheless if you have already opened it, you better consume it within one to two months. However, it’s best to use it within 2 to 3 weeks for the best flavor and taste.
How to store coffee beans?
I believe it’s unnecessary to remind you that once roasted, coffee beans start to lose their freshness. However, by storing them properly, we can keep them tasting better for longer.
Green beans:
Even though green beans last longer than roasted beans, there are a lot of factors that impact your unroasted beans even before they reach your house.
- After processing, coffee beans still have about 11% moisture in them, which means eventually they will go through a staling process. However, if you store them properly, they will last for one to two years.
- The three main enemies of green beans are moisture, heat and oxygen. So, store your coffee beans in an airtight container, in a dry environment, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
If you follow these directions, you can keep your beans for one to two years before worrying about them going bad.
Roasted beans:
Most often, roasted beans are packaged in an airtight, plastic or paper bag that has a little valve on the side to prevent oxidation. But they are not suitable for long storage.
- Well, the enemies are air, moisture and heat. So, once you open the bag, make sure you transfer them to a suitable container. It should be airtight, dark and kept in a cool, dry place.
- If stored properly, your beans should stay fresh for 2 to 3 months. However to enjoy them at their best, use them within a month of roasting.
Ground coffee:
Once the roasted beans have been ground, make sure to brew them as soon as possible because, at this point, they are in a race against staleness. Now, there is more surface area exposed to the air and this will rapidly degrade the aroma and flavor.
- Once you’ve opened the bag, remove all of the air from inside, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Coffee grounds are sensitive to air, moisture and light all of which can cause them to stale. You can transfer them to a mason jar or ceramic canister with rubber to preserve them for a longer time.
Should you freeze your coffee beans?
We know, all you need to do is keep the beans in a cool, dark place, so a freezer seems to make sense. Now, this is a question on which many people have definite opinions.
Coffee beans tend to stale over time, leading some to consider freezing as a viable storage method. But it introduces a lot of moisture, which affects the flavor and aroma. Ground coffee will stay fresh for a much longer time in the freezer, but eventually you will lose flavor, aroma and sweetness. You’ll have to be the decision maker on this one as both the smell and taste will be flat and possibly quite bitter. But it’s okay; if you want to give it a try, go for it.
Seems like we are at the end of it. If all of this feels overwhelming, I would recommend that you simply open the container or coffee bag and smell the coffee. If it’s still good, it will have a strong, pleasant aroma indicating its freshness. In that case, you’re good to go.