What is the shelf life of coffee and when does it taste best?
For many people, drinking coffee is part of their day. Some cannot do without it at breakfast, others prefer it in the form of an espresso after a meal. Due to its frequent use, most households are likely to have coffee in various forms: as beans, ground or processed into pods or capsules. All commercially available forms have one thing in common. The coffee is sealed airtight in them. This prevents moisture from getting into the pack. The type of packaging guarantees a long shelf life. But apart from the best-before date on the coffee, there is also a flavour recommendation as to how long it should be kept. This is because coffee loses its flavour the longer it is stored, tastes rancid and is therefore no longer edible.
What is the shelf life of coffee?
In principle, raw coffee beans have an unlimited shelf life. However, few consumers will buy unroasted coffee beans that they process themselves. Instead, they will buy roasted beans or coffee that has already been ground. Due to the processing, these can only be used for a limited period of time. As a rule, the best-before date (BBD) is between 18 and 24 months in the future. If the packaging is unopened, it should not be a problem to use the coffee beyond this date. The information should primarily be understood as a promise as to how long the quality of the coffee is guaranteed.
What is the best way to store coffee?
There are no special storage recommendations for originally sealed coffee packs. The protective effect is sufficient to ward off the dangers of everyday life. The situation is different if the pack has been opened. A quick reaction is required here. This is because the coffee loses a large part of its flavour within just a few hours, which it releases into the surrounding air. Ground coffee is more susceptible to this than whole coffee beans.
To preserve the flavour, the coffee should be placed in a container that can be sealed airtight. The seal is also important as coffee can easily take on the odour and taste of other foods. This risk is particularly high if the coffee is stored in the fridge. The storage container should not have a transparent lid so that UV light cannot penetrate inside.
If you do not have a suitable tin or if your tin does not have enough space for all the coffee, you can also seal the pack with a coffee clip and store it in a dry and cool place. Coffee stored in this way should be used up as quickly as possible. In general, the following storage instructions apply.
- Coffee stored at room temperature should be used within seven days.
- The contents of an opened pack of coffee will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Coffee can also be frozen for preservation. It retains its freshness for three to four weeks in the freezer.
Can coffee go mouldy?
Coffee does not normally go mouldy. This applies to both ground and whole beans. They are so dry that no mould forms. However, there is generally a higher risk of mould growth with ground coffee beans. The ground beans have a larger surface area and are therefore more susceptible to mould. To prevent mould from forming, consumers should always remove the required amount of coffee from the storage tin using a dry spoon.
If mould has formed on the coffee powder despite the precautionary measures, it should not be used under any circumstances. It is not recommended to remove large areas of the affected area. This is because the mould spores may also have affected other parts. Once the coffee has been disposed of, the tin should be cleaned thoroughly. This will prevent any residue adhering to it from infecting new coffee the next time it is used.
How can you tell if coffee is still edible?
If a coffee is stored for an extremely long time, not only does its quality deteriorate, but it also becomes downright unpalatable. Visually, you can often notice a change in appearance. Lumps may form, which can be an indicator of damp storage. However, the most important indicator is the odour. If the coffee already smells rancid, the unpleasant flavour will probably intensify during brewing. There is then no further use for this coffee. It should be disposed of.
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