How long does coffee last? Storage tips to keep coffee beans fresh

How long does roasted coffee last for? Sounds like it should be an easy answer however this entirely depends on how it is packaged, and subsequently stored.

Green beans last much longer than roasted coffee if stored correctly and if done so, can last anywhere up to 2 years in optimal storage conditions. Generally speaking however, it’s widely considered that green beans will remain fresh for 6 to 12 months. Storing green beans in humidity-controlled conditions away from sunlight will prolong the freshness of green beans. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) if properly stored (humidity controlled, no sunlight) that green coffee beans can be stored indefinitely… Take from that what you will…

How long does roasted coffee last?

Once roasted, coffee needs to undergo a degassing period in which the coffee releases built up carbon dioxide which accumulates during the roasting process. How long a coffee takes to degas depends on a number of factors such as roast type, bean size or how the coffee was grown. Typically degassing takes anywhere from 3 days up to 2 weeks.

How long does store bought coffee last?

A store-bought bag of coffee if unopened should be consumed within about 6 weeks of roasting. Once opened it should be consumed within 2-3 weeks. A sealed vacuum packed bag of beans which is unopened will keep for 2 to 3 months.

How long does commercially packed roastery coffee last?

Unlike supermarket coffee beans, some roasteries use a method known as nitrogen flushing when packing roasted coffee. This is a process which replaces the oxygen within the coffee bags with nitrogen, dramatically increasing the use by date and keeping the coffee fresh for up to 12 months or more. This not only extends the freshness of the coffee but also provides a protective cushion during transport and storage. Nitrogen is an inert gas meaning that it doesn’t react with the coffee. Oxygen on the other hand, oxidises, which causes the coffee to go off and lose it’s flavour. A valve placed on these coffee bags allow any C02 build up to escape without letting any oxygen in. A good way to check if a bag of coffee is fresh before you buy it is to lightly squeeze the bag to release some of the gas through the valve. A strong fresh ‘coffee’ smell is a good indicator that the coffee bag is fresh.

How long does coffee last once opened?

Coffee beans left out in the open will typically last about a week once opened. This does depend on variables such as type of roast, storage and exposure to heat and sunlight. It is recommended that once opened, coffee beans are stored within an airtight container which can prolong freshness of the coffee beans up to 1 month, sometimes longer.

How long does ground coffee last?

If stored correctly (airtight container away from sources of heat and sunlight) once ground, coffee can stay fresh for up to 1 week, however the quality and flavour will begin to deteriorate almost immediately.

Tip – Coffee grounds put into the freezer can stay fresh up to 6 months and if vacuum sealed up to 2 years!