HOW LONG DO COFFEE BEANS LAST? (5 ESSENTIAL STORAGE TIPS)

Nothing beats making your daily cup of coffee using some freshly ground beans. With fresh coffee beans, you enjoy a delightful and refreshing cup with all those fantastic natural coffee flavors and aromas.

Getting some good coffee beans should be easy, given the many reliable brands that sell them. However, it is vital to know how long these beans will last to properly plan your purchase so that you will always make your cup of joe with the freshest beans.

So how long do coffee beans last? There is no straight answer here as several factors determine coffee beans’ shelf life, from packaging to storage conditions.

Besides the shelf life, there are many other things you need to understand when it comes to coffee beans storage.
 

HOW LONG DO COFFEE BEANS LAST?

When stored properly, roasted coffee beans will last up to 3 months. Proper storage means keeping them in airtight packaging and away from elements like direct sunlight, heat, oxygen, and moisture.

Green or unroasted coffee beans have a much longer shelf life. Provided the beans are processed well and adequately dried before packaging, unroasted beans can easily last up to 2 years or longer.

However, the shelf life for both roasted and unroasted beans will significantly decrease after opened. After opening, roasted coffee beans will remain good anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, while green or unroasted beans should last six months.
 

DO COFFEE BEANS GO BAD?

Technically, coffee beans never go bad as they are considered shelf-stable dry food that can last a long time. Most coffee roasters will not even include an expiration date on the package and only write the beans’ roasting date.

Not going bad does not mean your coffee beans will stay fresh forever. When exposed to the elements, they will start losing their freshness in under a week, and the longer you keep them, the less flavorful they get.

Moreover, coffee beans have a porous surface, meaning they can absorb other things in the air around them, further diminishing their quality.
 

FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE SHELF LIFE OF COFFEE BEANS 

1. PROCESSING & PACKAGING

Coffee beans’ processing and packaging are one of the main determinants of their shelf life. Different roasters use various methods like nitrogen flushing, vacuum sealing, one-way valve, and hand-packaging. Each of these methods gives the beans different shelf life. For example, nitrogen flushing, which entails using nitrogen gas to force out other gases in the package, leaves the beans with at least a six months shelf life.
 

2. ROASTING

Exposing coffee beans to heat during roasting allows them to release the oils and acids that give the coffee its unique flavor. As more of these oils are removed, the beans get more susceptible to going bad. What all this means is that roasted coffee beans will have a shorter shelf life than unroasted beans. Also, since dark roasted beans release more oils during roasting, they will stay fresh for a relatively shorter time than lightly roasted beans.
 

3. STORAGE CONDITIONS

Storage conditions will also affect coffee beans’ shelf life regardless of the packaging. Exposing coffee beans to direct sunlight, heat, and moisture when in storage will reduce their shelf life. Likewise, exposing them to oxygen and changing temperatures will also reduce their quality.

HOW TO TELL WHEN COFFEE BEANS GO BAD

It is not always easy to tell when your coffee beans go bad, especially if you buy bulk. You will need to keep an eye on the following indicators of deteriorating quality:

• The coffee beans are no longer fragrant or aromatic.

• The smell of your cup of coffee is different than it usually is, such as being flat and bland at one time or bitter at another. The taste may also be different, including the lack of a distinct flavor.

• The texture and taste of your coffee are not uniform from batch to batch. Sometimes you will notice that some beans are lighter or darker than usual. Or they may not seem to be roasted evenly.

TIPS FOR STORING COFFEE BEANS PROPERLY

1. Always Keep Coffee Beans in Appropriate Containers: When it comes to coffee beans storage, your container choice is the most crucial factor to consider. To keep them fresh longer, always store them in an opaque, airtight container that keeps both air and light out.

• Store Coffee Beans in a cool dark place: It is better to store your coffee beans in a cool dark place rather than leaving them on the kitchen counter. A cabinet or pantry provides a more conducive storage environment because it can protect from heat and light.

• Never Store Coffee Beans in Mason Jars: Coffee beans fit perfectly in a mason jar, and they also look great in one, but if you want to keep them fresh for long, you should avoid these jars. Mason jars are not airtight, and the transparent glass means they let in light.

• Store Coffee Beans in Small Portions: Always keep your coffee beans in small portions in the fridge or cabinet. Storing beans in small quantities ensures less frequent exposure to the elements through regular opening and closing of the container.

• Avoid Buying Too Much Coffee Beans: While this might not be a coffee beans storage solution, it is still a vital tip to keep in mind. No matter how much coffee you make every day, it is crucial to ensure that you do not buy more beans than you need to use for a couple of weeks.

HOW LONG WILL COFFEE LAST IN OTHER FORMS

It is inevitable to handle coffee in various other forms besides beans. Therefore, it is also essential to know how long coffee will last in these forms to ensure you get the best from your brews.

Here is a brief overview of how long coffee lasts in its other forms.
 

GROUND COFFEE

If you prefer to buy pre-ground coffee or grinding large coffee beans batches and storing some for later use, you should know it has quite a short shelf life.

Ground coffee has a larger surface area than coffee beans, meaning more of it is in contact with the elements, leading to faster deterioration.

When packaged correctly in an airtight bag, ground coffee should last at least two months. However, once open, ground coffee will maintain its freshness for only a few days, even when stored properly.
 

INSTANT COFFEE

Instant coffee is probably not your favorite way of making your cup of joe if you are a real coffee lover, as the brew quality and flavor are not always the best. However, it comes in handy when you need a quick caffeine fix.

If you plan to buy instant coffee in large bags, you should make sure you use it within two weeks after opening the bag for maximum coffee freshness. However, any unopened bags or sachets of instant coffee may be kept indefinitely.
 

BREWED COFFEE

Brewed coffee tastes best when you consume it immediately. If you leave brewed coffee in the pot or carafe, the freshness level will decrease significantly within an hour. However, it should still be okay to drink for up to 12 hours as long as you store it at room temperature.

Brewed coffee stored in the fridge will maintain its flavor for about a week. However, you should never reheat your cold brew as it will not have any pleasant taste afterward.
 

FAQ

Q: What Happens if You Drink Coffee Made with Stale Beans?

While coffee made from old, stale beans will not have a pleasant flavor or aroma, it does not pose any significant health risk. Hence, nothing should happen to you if you drink coffee made from stale beans.
 
Q: Does Coffee Roast Affect its Shelf Life?

Yes, it does, to some extent. For example, a lighter roast will remain fresh a little longer than a dark roast. The dark roast has more of the oils sitting on the surface of the beans than a light roast. These oils cause the beans to go bad much faster.
 
Q: Are Expired Coffee Beans Still Useful?

Yes, you do not have to throw away any expired or stale coffee beans as there are still many other things you can use them for at home. They include grinding and using them to make garden fertilizer, body scrubs, and even meat tenderizers.
 
Q: Does Storing Coffee Beans in the Fridge Increase their Shelf Life?

Storing coffee in the fridge is a heavily debated subject, and different coffee lovers and specialists have varying opinions. While refrigeration can prolong coffee beans’ shelf life, it also ruins their taste and aroma. Therefore, it is best to avoid it and instead use other methods that keep the beans fresh without affecting their flavor.
 

Conclusion

Coffee beans are shelf-stable and can last a long time when properly stored. However, they include degradable organic components meaning they will not last forever. Hence, what should concern you most is keeping them fresh enough until you can use them.

The secret to storing your coffee beans for a long time is ensuring you never expose them to elements like heat, light, oxygen, and moisture.

Additionally, it is always better to buy your coffee beans in small batches that will last you a few weeks. This way, you can ensure you always make your coffee with the freshest beans and never have to stress over finding the best way to store the leftover coffee beans.