Have you ever found a forgotten bag of coffee sitting in the back of your pantry and wondered, is this still good? Does coffee go bag? 🤔
Well, honestly, it depends. Coffee doesn't expired as quickly as milk or dairy products but it does lose a lot of its freshness and flavor overtime. A fresh bag of coffee delivers bold, rich and complex flavors while and older bag can taste flat, stale and even bitter.
So truthfully, coffee doesn't really "expire' but it does age and change. Here's what you need to know!
Does Coffee Expire?
Understanding Coffee Shelf Life
- Whole Bean Coffee: Unopened 6-12 months | Opened 2-4 weeks
- Ground Coffee: Unopened 3-5 months | 1 - 2 weeks
- Instant Coffee: Unopened 1 - 2 years | 1 - 2 months
How to Tell if Coffee is Expired
Good news, old coffee won’t make you sick. The bad news? It won’t taste anything like that fresh, bold cup you’re used to. As coffee ages, it starts to lose its aroma and can smell a little flat or dull. The flavor usually follows and just seems “off.”
You might also spot some changes in how it looks or feels. Mold or discoloration is a dead giveaway, and if the beans or grounds feel sticky or greasy, that’s oil buildup telling you it’s time to move on and toss this bag.
Bottom line, if your coffee smells funky or looks questionable, do yourself a favor and trash it and treat yourself to a fresh bag. Preferably a bag of our small-batch roasted coffee but hey no pressure! 😉
Proper Storage Tips for Coffee
If you want your coffee to stay fresh for as long as possible, it’s all about protecting it from the elements: air, moisture, heat, and light. Here’s how to store coffee beans (or coffee grounds) properly:
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Use an airtight container – Keep your coffee in a sealed, opaque container to lock out oxygen and protect it from light.
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Store in a cool, dark place – A pantry or cupboard away from your stove or oven is ideal. Heat speeds up the breakdown of flavor.
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Avoid the fridge and freezer (for the most part) – Unless you’re storing unopened bulk bags for the long term, the fridge and freezer can cause condensation, which affects flavor and freshness.
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Grind only what you need – Whole beans retain their flavor longer than pre-ground coffee. Grinding fresh before brewing is the single best way to ensure a flavorful cup.
Can You Freeze Coffee?
Freezing coffee is a highly debated topic in the coffee world. Truthfully, freezing coffee can help prolong freshness, but only if it's done right.
If you buy coffee in bulk, freezing unopened bags is actually a smart move. Store them in airtight, moisture-proof containers or freezer-safe bags, and they’ll stay fresh for months. Be sure to portion them our correctly and only take out what you need for a week's worth of coffee so that the rest stays sealed.
You do not want to be thawing and refreezing the same bag of coffee, that will cause the coffee to go bad and lose it's overall flavor. For your everyday coffee supply, you’re still better off keeping it in a cool, dark pantry.
So, Does Coffee Really Expire?
Coffee doesn’t exactly “expire,” but its flavor fades fast without the right care. Store it smart, brew it fresh, and you’ll keep those bold flavors alive. And when it’s time to refresh your stash, we’ve got you covered with some of our best-selling coffee roasts! 🫶
- Brazil Medium Roast Coffee
- Soulful Medium Roast Coffee
- Tropics Dark Roast Coffee
- Jude's Brew Dark Roast Coffee
