We all want to get the most out of our coffee beans, but the reality is that the quality of coffee degrades over time. Thankfully, there are ways that you can extend the shelf life of your beans and keep them tasting as fresh as possible. Keep reading to learn more about how long coffee lasts and our top tips for maintaining freshness with each brew.
How long do coffee beans last?
Although coffee beans don’t technically expire, your package will likely have a “best by” or “best before” date printed on it. While you won’t notice a drastic change from one day to the next, brewing coffee that is well past the “best by” date will taste less fresh, and its freshness will continue to decrease with time.
The reality is that coffee beans are a shelf-stable, non-perishable good. Thus, like pasta or rice, they can last a long time. However, they will lose freshness over time, even before they’ve been opened. Of course, as soon as the coffee’s vacuum-sealed packaging has been opened, that freshness will start declining even more rapidly. Stale coffee beans are not enjoyable to drink, so do your best to consume an opened bag of coffee within three to four weeks of purchase. Note that ground coffee loses freshness quicker than whole coffee beans, so you should be consuming a bag of ground coffee within just one to two weeks of opening it.
4 ways to lengthen the shelf life of your coffee
1. Avoid instant coffee
The first way to ensure a fresh-tasting cup of coffee every time is to avoid instant coffee. Instead, purchase freshly roasted coffee, like the 100% arabica coffee at ColombianCoffee. Instant coffee is typically roasted in bulk and sits around for long periods before hitting the grocery store shelves, where it likely sits for even longer.
2. Choose whole beans over ground beans
The second tip to extending the shelf life of your coffee is to choose whole beans over ground beans. We know it’s extra work, but buying whole coffee beans and grinding them yourself almost always leads to a fresher cup. The reality is that oxidation still occurs with whole beans, but it happens at a much slower pace due to the smaller surface area. Thus, if you want to lengthen your coffee’s shelf life, grind them fresh with each brew.
3. Store your coffee correctly
The third tip to lengthen your coffee’s shelf life is to store it properly. This means avoiding humidity and moisture, as well as direct sun. Ideally, you should store your coffee in an opaque container, whether it be glass, plastic, or metal. The container should then be placed somewhere dark, cool, and dry, such as in the pantry or a kitchen cupboard. Do not place it near a heat source, such as the oven or stove.
4. Don’t put coffee in the fridge or freezer
Contrary to popular belief, storing coffee in the fridge or freezer is not the way to go. Believe it or not, storing coffee in cold temperatures can actually cause it to go stale faster. Moisture and condensation will build up if you store it in the fridge or freezer, and this will cause your coffee to spoil.
Now that you know the best way to store and brew coffee for maximum freshness, grab a package of ColombianCoffee.US beans and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every morning.
