Does Coffee Have An Expiration Date? And How Do You Keep It Fresher For Longer?

Does Coffee Have an Expiration Date?

Ah, coffee. The fragrant elixir that helps kickstart our mornings and fuels our afternoon slumps. But as we stand in our kitchen, cradling a forgotten bag of coffee beans or an old tin of ground coffee, the question arises: does coffee actually expire?

The Short Answer: No, but...Coffee doesn't have a strict "expiration date" like dairy or meat products might. You won't find yourself encountering health risks by consuming coffee past its prime. However, that's only part of the story.

Picking Freshness Over Expiration: Coffee is all about freshness. The moment you open that bag of beans or grounds, they begin to lose their freshness due to exposure to air, light, and moisture. Over time, this can cause the volatile compounds that give coffee its distinct aroma and flavour to degrade.

The beans or grounds don't "expire" in the traditional sense, but they certainly lose their zest and vitality. This results in a cup that tastes stale, flat, or simply unexciting.

Optimal Drinking Window: While coffee won't become harmful or dangerous over time, it does have an optimal consumption window. For the best flavour profile:

- Whole beans: Best consumed within a month of their roast date.

- Ground coffee: Ideal within two weeks of grinding. (Maybe a week depending on how humid it is) after these windows, while the coffee remains drinkable, its vivacity fades.

Storage Matters: You can extend the vibrancy of your coffee by storing it correctly. Keeping your coffee in a cool, dry place away from light and air will help preserve its character for longer. Airtight or vacuum sealed are worth considering if you're keen on savouring every drop's potential. Freezing coffee is also becoming an even more viable option. (We will get into more about maintaining freshness in the next section).

Now, onto maintaining freshness…

Everyone has their favourite coffee type and brew method. But once you break the seal on that coffee bag, how do you ensure the freshness endures? When opened, the flavour profile of your coffee can subtly shift. The freshness of the coffee and its origin play a role in this. Hence, the emphasis on optimal storage methods for coffee beans.

Factors that might tamper with your coffee's freshness include:

• Exposure to light
• Exposure to air
• High temperatures
• Exposure to moisture and humidity

Knowing this, how should you store your beans? Let’s delve in…

If the bag is resealable? Great! Our 250G bags are resealable with a gas release valve, so that should extend the freshness of your coffee quite a bit! But if you are buying in larger quantities then there are other options available to you…

Coffee Containers: The market brims with a myriad of coffee storage options. Look for containers that are both airtight and opaque. The emerging trend is vacuum storage  (The Fellow Atmos has great reviews and has become a staple for a lot of home baristas) and is a worthy investment for coffee aficionados. It removes the air, ensuring prolonged freshness.

Fridge Storage: Yay or Nay?

While it is possible, it's not advised. It basically needs to be vacuum sealed and in a fridge of it’s own.

Fridges can be humid, and coffee, whether beans or grounds, acts like a sponge, absorbing surrounding flavours. Just as some foods can impart their aroma in a fridge or freezer coffee can take on the scents of neighbouring items. Unless you fancy a coffee with a hint of tomatoes (if that’s your thing, there are Kenyan coffees that will suit your tastes) garlic or onions, it’s best to avoid fridge storage.

Freezer Storage: Is It a Good Idea?

Yes, and sometimes it’s even advisable but that’s another post for another day. Storing coffee in the freezer can maintain its freshness for much longer, but there are things to consider:

- Seal your beans effectively. Given moisture is a coffee adversary, ensure your storage solution is impermeable. Vacuum sealing is ideal.

- Coffee is perishable. Hence, if you've frozen your beans, ensure they are thawed and brought to room temperature in their sealed state before use. Frozen coffee can be brittle and your grinder might not be able to work to grind the beans down effectively if they are still frozen.

- For those buying in bulk, portion your beans into smaller airtight bags. This facilitates easier usage and maintains freshness (and if buy from us in 250g bags you can seal it and store it)

So, to sum up the next time you find that old bag of coffee hiding at the back of your cupboard, remember: it might not be expired, but its best days are likely behind it, and regardless of your storage method, always keep your coffee in a cool, dry environment. Ideally, consume your coffee within a month of roasting to keep its prime flavour. While it remains drinkable post this period, the taste does evolve and change. It may become less vibrant. An airtight and moisture-resistant container can be a coffee lover's best ally in preserving that delectable freshness or you could just consume all 3kgs you bought within a few days and be so caffeinated you start smelling the colours of your throw cushions on your sofa. (We are joking, please don’t that.)

- Andrew,  Head of Coffee at Sudden Drop Coffee.

HEALTH WARNING: Overconsumption of caffeine may lead to insomnia, palpitations, and heightened anxiety among other health issues, especially in regards to individuals sensitive to caffeine.  Enjoy responsibly.