There's nothing like the aroma of a freshly opened bag of coffee. But what if that enticing scent doesn't greet us? How long does coffee keep, and can it actually go bad? This week's blog post will tell you how to recognize coffee that's no longer fresh and how to prevent it. Happy reading!
Can coffee go bad?
In short: Yes! Coffee is a natural product and can spoil. However, as long as your coffee is still in its packaging, it will keep for several years. Only once the bag is opened is the shelf life of coffee reduced to about six months. Those who store their beans in a fully automatic coffee machine can expect them to go rancid much faster, usually within a month.
How can I tell if coffee is bad?
Bad coffee is almost impossible to detect by its appearance alone. Therefore, the only reliable way to tell is by smelling it. The less aroma you get from the bag, or the more likely it is that the coffee is bad.
Which goes bad faster: whole beans or ground coffee?
With proper storage, whole beans can be stored unopened for up to two years. However, most roasters specify a best-before date of one year after roasting. This helps preserve the aromas, because just because the coffee is still good doesn't mean all the flavors are still fully present. Once opened, whole beans in their original packaging will keep for about six to eight months. However, the aromas dissipate more quickly due to oxidation, so we recommend consuming your opened coffee within a maximum of six months. Three months is even better for experiencing the full flavor.
Ground coffee, on the other hand, spoils much faster. Grinding creates a much larger surface area, leading to quicker oxidation. The grinding process also dissolves many oils, causing your coffee to go rancid more quickly. Furthermore, ground coffee loses its aroma rapidly. Therefore, our clear recommendation is: grind the required amount of coffee fresh and use it immediately.
What do I need to pay attention to when storing coffee?
To avoid bad coffee and maximize its shelf life, there are a few things to keep in mind. Good coffee comes in bags with a valve. This allows the carbon dioxide released during brewing to escape, but prevents oxygen from entering. Oxygen is what causes coffee to go rancid. You should also ensure that no moisture gets into the bag and that your coffee isn't stored in a warm place. Ideally, you should keep your coffee in its original packaging, as transferring it to a container exposes it to oxygen and significantly reduces its shelf life. If you'd like to learn more about storing coffee, read on here .
And what do you do with expired coffee?
Don't throw away your expired coffee grounds, even if you can't make delicious coffee with them anymore. Use the grounds, for example, as a scrub, odor neutralizer, natural dye, plant fertilizer, natural pest control in the garden, and much more.
Our tips summarized:
For the most aromatic coffee experience, buy from small roasters like us and only purchase the amount you can consume quickly. Make sure the packaging is undamaged and has a valve. Store your coffee beans in a dry, dark place.
We hope you now understand what determines the shelf life of coffee, and that our tips will help you always enjoy fresh and delicious coffee. Until next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
The shelf life of coffee - Can coffee go bad?
There's nothing like the aroma of a freshly opened bag of coffee. But what if that enticing scent doesn't greet us? How long does coffee keep, and can it actually go bad? This week's blog post will tell you how to recognize coffee that's no longer fresh and how to prevent it. Happy reading!
Can coffee go bad?
In short: Yes! Coffee is a natural product and can spoil. However, as long as your coffee is still in its packaging, it will keep for several years. Only once the bag is opened is the shelf life of coffee reduced to about six months. Those who store their beans in a fully automatic coffee machine can expect them to go rancid much faster, usually within a month.
How can I tell if coffee is bad?
Bad coffee is almost impossible to detect by its appearance alone. Therefore, the only reliable way to tell is by smelling it. The less aroma you get from the bag, or the more likely it is that the coffee is bad.
Which goes bad faster: whole beans or ground coffee?
With proper storage, whole beans can be stored unopened for up to two years. However, most roasters specify a best-before date of one year after roasting. This helps preserve the aromas, because just because the coffee is still good doesn't mean all the flavors are still fully present. Once opened, whole beans in their original packaging will keep for about six to eight months. However, the aromas dissipate more quickly due to oxidation, so we recommend consuming your opened coffee within a maximum of six months. Three months is even better for experiencing the full flavor.
Ground coffee, on the other hand, spoils much faster. Grinding creates a much larger surface area, leading to quicker oxidation. The grinding process also dissolves many oils, causing your coffee to go rancid more quickly. Furthermore, ground coffee loses its aroma rapidly. Therefore, our clear recommendation is: grind the required amount of coffee fresh and use it immediately.
What do I need to pay attention to when storing coffee?
To avoid bad coffee and maximize its shelf life, there are a few things to keep in mind. Good coffee comes in bags with a valve. This allows the carbon dioxide released during brewing to escape, but prevents oxygen from entering. Oxygen is what causes coffee to go rancid. You should also ensure that no moisture gets into the bag and that your coffee isn't stored in a warm place. Ideally, you should keep your coffee in its original packaging, as transferring it to a container exposes it to oxygen and significantly reduces its shelf life. If you'd like to learn more about storing coffee, read on here .
And what do you do with expired coffee?
Don't throw away your expired coffee grounds, even if you can't make delicious coffee with them anymore. Use the grounds, for example, as a scrub, odor neutralizer, natural dye, plant fertilizer, natural pest control in the garden, and much more.
Our tips summarized:
For the most aromatic coffee experience, buy from small roasters like us and only purchase the amount you can consume quickly. Make sure the packaging is undamaged and has a valve. Store your coffee beans in a dry, dark place.
We hope you now understand what determines the shelf life of coffee, and that our tips will help you always enjoy fresh and delicious coffee. Until next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team