Coffee lovers don’t have too many problems with the duration of their favorite beverage. If you drink two or three cups a day, you will probably drink the whole bag in an ideal two to three weeks, which is the maximum consumption period coffee should have after opening the bag.
Problems arise when you stretch the package for a month or more. Even if you are not the biggest coffee fan, you will notice a difference in the taste that has popped up.
To answer the first question asked, can coffee be spoiled at all? Not. But the loss of flavor will be so significant that any friend will resent you for serving old coffee. Here are the details.
How Long Does Coffee Last?
The durability of coffee is actually very low. As we said, spoilage will not be such that you get sick of old grains, but the impact on taste quality is tremendous. Manufacturers pack coffee in vacuum bags or under controlled pressure to ensure flavor for a longer time.
The expiration date on the packaging will be the best guide to durability, and we suggest you don’t exceed that date if you want a delicious drink. Here are the tips for the duration once you open the package.
Whole Beans
If you want to enjoy your favorite coffee for longer, we suggest you buy whole beans and then grind the amount you need at the moment. Whole beans will best preserve the aroma and probably last up to a month without losing the taste quality.
Ground Coffee
Ground coffee will be more prone to loss of aroma, so the best advice is to consume it within two weeks of opening the package. Nothing will happen if you extend that deadline to an extra week. But everything after that, you will probably feel on your palate.
Instant Coffee
Just like for ground coffee, consume it within two weeks if possible. So you will have the highest quality.
Can Coffee Go Bad?
Coffee is dry food, and like most such powdered beverages or dishes, it cannot be spoiled in the classical sense. It will just lose flavor and, over time, become rancid.
None of this is true for the coffee you once soaked. It can mold, spoil and you don’t want to test your stamina by drinking such a beverage. How to tell if coffee has gone bad? Here are the tips.
Sign 1: Moisture got to it
First, to throw out the most obvious example. If the coffee is wet and has been standing for a long time, be sure to throw it away. Especially if you notice mold development, then be sure to spill it all. Once you have brewed coffee, you should consume it within 12 hours or put it in the fridge and consume it within three days maximum.
Sign 2: It became rancid
Unfortunately, you won’t notice this until you make coffee and try it. It will probably ruin your day, but long-standing open packaging on the shelf will result in a rancid taste.
What Is The Best Way To Store Coffee?
Storage is essential for preserving the taste of this queen of beverages. That is why manufacturers make a lot of efforts to improve packaging and delivery methods. External conditions will undoubtedly affect the quality of coffee. Here’s how to help yourself enjoy your morning drink for a long time.
Tip 1: Keep it in a dry place
It is crucial to avoid any moisture and to keep the coffee in a dry place. It is also advisable to avoid direct exposure to the sun as this could cause a weakening of the taste.
Tip 2: Keep the air out
Oxygen is the biggest enemy of retaining aroma because the taste will simply evaporate. Try to keep the coffee in a tightly closed container from which you expel all the air if possible.
Tip 3: Buy small quantities
Any tips won’t do much in extending the shelf life. You can only influence preserving the best taste in time within the shelf life. So the best advice is always to buy fresh coffee supplies. That way, you will always get freshly made coffee and enjoy the finest flavor.
FAQs
Is it OK to drink expired coffee?
It is safe to drink old coffee. Is it okay you need to decide for yourself because the flavor will be diminished.
How can you tell if coffee has gone bad?
You may be able to sense a little stale smell when you open the coffee cup. But what you will surely notice is the bad taste that gets worse as the coffee gets older.
How long is coffee good for after the expiration date?
Although some tips say that coffee will be good even a few months after its expiration date, we sincerely believe that the aroma declines over time. The drink will be healthy, but the taste will certainly not be the same, so try to use the packaging at the suggested time.
Can old coffee make you sick?
Probably not. It can only harm you if it is moistured and mold gets to it. Dry coffee grained or in beans won’t make you sick.
How long is coffee good for in the pot?
Brewed coffee without added milk can be ok to drink within 3 hours. Coffee will begin to lose its fragrance and taste as time goes.
Does brewed coffee go bad?
You can keep black coffee (hot or cold brewed) in the fridge for 1-2 days. The longer you keep, the more likely it will go bad and lose its taste.
How long can coffee sit out?
Hot brewed coffee will start losing its taste and fragrance as soon as it cools down, so it’s best to consume it within 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Coffee is a beverage without which millions of people worldwide can not imagine the beginning of their day. It has a relatively short shelf life, so it is important to buy fresh supplies repeatedly so as not to get a stale rancid drink. Keep it in a dry place and always try to expel air out of the package to prolong the duration of the aroma.
Tanja is great lover of healthy eating and lifestyle, she has been editing TV series about nutrition and health for years. She also engaged in food production in the family business, mainly focused on fruit processing without destroying vitamins and minerals. She believes that quality nutrition is one of the key ingredients of a happy and healthy life.
