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Can coffee go bad?
Whether you buy in bulk or just enough, this is a question we've all asked ourselves.
Published November 11, 2021
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Shruti Gupta
Coffee experts@Era of We
If you're someone who's a coffee enthusiast like me and can't go a day without a cup, you know we usually stock up on coffee. Running out of coffee is a nightmare for coffee lovers so stocking up is often a priority. And if you've bought some great coffee on sale, it makes sense to buy a lot of it.
But the question arises, "Do coffee beans go bad " or "Do coffee beans expire"? This is a common concern and a stressful one too. In short, yes, coffee can go bad.
Let's get into the details of it.
As coffee is a dry, packaged food item, there's no exact expiration date. But coffee past a certain date or period will indeed go bad. When we say "go bad," one will be reminded of foul stench or mold, but none of that happens when it comes to coffee. When it comes down to it, bad coffee won't even make you sick. So then exactly how can coffee beans go bad?
Well, the dreaded process is known as oxidation. The oxygen and moisture in the air are the culprits for reducing the shelf life of coffee beans. As coffee is exposed to oxygen, your coffee will lose its intensity and flavor over time and break down eventually. So bad coffee will taste subpar.
This begs the question; will old coffee beans still give that caffeine kick? Probably not as much as fresh beans.
So, if we talk about coffee types specifically and if they go bad, here are the details:
Ground coffee
If exposed to air, ground coffee will absorb moisture and clump up. It's recommended to consume coffee grounds within 2 weeks once unpacked. Although this doesn't happen with instant coffee due to preservatives added to prevent decay, specialty coffee will lose its delicate notes and thick texture.
Beans
Dry coffee beans don't exactly go bad. The beans, as long as they haven't come in contact with water, will stay fine. These will last as long as you can keep them in an airtight container—pretty much the longest-lasting ones out of all the options.
You might also wonder if darker beans, e.g., espresso vs. medium roasts, have any difference when it comes to shelf life. Since the darker roasts lack moisture anyway due to a longer roasting process, they will become stale at a rapid pace when compared to lighter roasts. Stale coffee just might not cut it for you, considering the change in its notes.
It's recommended to consume coffee beans in 2-3 weeks and only grind them when needed.
Instant coffee
These coffees usually come with instructions or dates that you must consume coffee by. A general rule of thumb is coffee must be consumed within a few weeks once opened.
Brewed coffee
A pot of brewed coffee will go bad. This is because the natural oils in the coffee come in contact with the water and start decomposing. If you leave your coffee pot out in the open, it'll definitely go bad over time and end up tasting rancid.
Brewed coffee should be consumed immediately. If that's not possible, it should be transferred to a thermal carafe to slow down or halt the loss of delicate notes. One must not leave the coffee on the pot or let it brew for too long as it will get bitter. Past 12 hours, any cup of coffee should not be consumed, especially if it contains dairy.
If we get down to the nitty-gritty of it, the factors that ruin coffee are:
- Oxygen: causes staleness. Once exposed or left out in the open, coffee beans will degrade at a rapid pace.
- Light: if kept in direct sunlight, coffee can go stale.
- Moisture: the oils in coffee will get rancid as coffee absorbs the moisture.
- Heat: When exposed to heat, coffee beans or ground coffee will start losing their flavors.
So how do we prevent this from happening?
It's all about the storage. As beans will always last longer or stay fresh when compared to coffee grounds, it's best to only grind the beans or get ground coffee for immediate use (a couple of weeks). It's also recommended to store your coffee in an airtight container or a sealed package to avoid exposure to air.
Another fact, while harsh, is that one should only buy the right amount of coffee. My suggestion would be a subscription service.
Should you store coffee in the fridge?
Some believe that storing your coffee in the fridge will keep them fresh and delay any loss of flavor. But, this may not be true.
Coffee is absorbent, especially beans. Any odors or smells surrounding the coffee tend to get absorbed by the coffee and mess with the aroma. Not to mention, the coffee may end up losing its moisture and get "stale" due to the cold. But if you must, a fridge is a better option than humid and bright environments, but expect some loss of flavor and aroma.
Even pre-made coffee, which is frozen into cubes for later consumption, must be consumed once thawed. This is because the extreme change in temperatures will ruin their flavor.
So instead of wasting coffee, buy only as much you need or even experiment with new coffee every now and then. Or simply get some airtight containers to keep your coffee fresh!
About the author
Shruti Gupta
I like coffee and I like writing, reading, and traveling, all with a cup of coffee in my hand. My recommendation? Brew some coffee (nutty flavors preferred), make it strong, add a little cinnamon and brown sugar, and a touch of soy milk, you've got happiness in a cup! Best served chilled :)
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