In the United States and many other nations throughout the world, coffee is the most widely consumed beverage.
Coffee and coffee-based beverages come in uncountable varieties with a wide range of flavors and strengths. Coffee has a well-known energy boost, but it also contains several antioxidants that may be good for your health (2Trusted Source).
If you consume or make coffee, you might be curious about its shelf life after purchase. Sadly, there is a dearth of information on safe coffee storage in scientific literature and food safety recommendations. More investigation is required into safe coffee storage practices.
This page offers advice on how to store all varieties of coffee using data backed by research, advice from the websites of coffee manufacturers, and my personal suggestions.
Before we continue, let me just add that I’m not a fan of keeping coffee that has cooled in the refrigerator. Reheating it, in my opinion, can significantly alter the flavor, giving you a cup of coffee that is subpar.
And that’s just not what we’re about here; we want Above Average Coffee, which means you should always be brewing fresh coffee.
But in real life, there are occasions when you end up with more coffee in the pot than you anticipated; perhaps you had a large group of guests around, but not everyone drank as much as you had anticipated.
To let it go to waste would be regrettable.
If it is kept in an airtight container, black coffee may be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks without losing any of its taste or safety. Although it will keep safe for longer than that, 2-3 days is ideal for the finest flavor. In the fridge, coffee with milk or creamer keeps for two days.
Bringing it back up to temperature before heating it up after being removed from the fridge guarantees that all the bacteria is eliminated, leaving you with a clean cup of coffee.
While I can’t guarantee a delicious cup of coffee, I can guarantee that it will be secure. To know How long does coffee last in the fridge, just continue to read this article!
General guidance on coffee shelf life
Whole coffee beans and even ground coffee may survive for a very long period when stored correctly. The varieties of coffee you purchase for domestic use won’t likely grow mold or other types of rotting that result from moisture since they are dry.
However, how coffee is prepared affects how long it will last.
Coffee that hasn’t been brewed generally lasts longer than coffee that has. It also matters where you keep your coffee, whether it’s on the counter, in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.
Coffee’s flavor and freshness might start to fade if it isn’t stored in an airtight, tightly sealed container. Dry coffee might taste different when stored in a refrigerator or freezer, but it can also be kept for longer.
Whole coffee beans
Whole, roasted coffee beans can keep for a few weeks to many months, or perhaps even years, depending on how they are handled.
Roasted coffee beans in a sealed packet should remain fresh until the best-by date if they are kept at room temperature, free from heat, moisture, and light.
This might be anything from a few weeks to many months or more, depending on the company, packing, and when you bought the coffee.
After being opened, roasted coffee beans will remain fresh for 1-3 weeks. Transferring used coffee beans to a dark, dry, airtight container will yield the greatest results. Keep the container away from any heat sources at room temperature.
Coffee beans can also be stored for three to four months in sealed containers in the freezer. Before freezing, make sure the container is completely dry. However, freezing isn’t seen to be the ideal method for maintaining flavor and quality.
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Past these dates, coffee beans may start to taste stale or lose their freshness. Typically, they won’t truly become harmful to ingest; they will simply lose quality.
In order to increase your chances of receiving the freshest beans, check the packaging for a degassing valve or a recent “roasted on” date.
Degassing valves, which resemble tiny circular vents, let carbon dioxide that forms after roasting escape from packaged coffee. This might enhance freshness and increase shelf life.
Ground coffee
An unopened packet of ground coffee should remain fresh until the manufacturer’s best-by date, much as unopened coffee bean packages.
Coffee that has been opened should be stored at room temperature in an opaque, airtight container. Avoid exposing ground coffee to heat, light, or moisture. The normal shelf life of ground coffee kept in this manner is 1-2 weeks.
You may store your ground coffee in sealed containers in the refrigerator or freezer if you live in a humid location and don’t want to take the chance of exposing it to moisture. In the refrigerator, it can last up to two weeks and in the freezer, one month.
A ground coffee kind with a longer shelf life is instant coffee. Some claim that when stored correctly—that is, in an airtight container or sealed package in a cold, dry location—instant coffee may survive for two to twenty years.
The shelf life of opened instant coffee packets is likewise believed to be many years. To find out what the manufacturer advises, look at the box.
Another variety of ground coffee is coffee pods, such as those used in single-cup coffee makers. Additionally, they will remain fresh until the best-by date.
Coffee pods should be kept in a drawer or container out of the sun and heat. Since they are individually packed, keeping them in an airtight or securely sealed container is not as crucial.
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How Long Does Coffee Last In The Fridge
Cold Brew
Because cold brew coffee is frequently kept in the refrigerator for 2 weeks and, if maintained properly, may still taste fine, I’ve claimed that brewed coffee can keep up to 2 weeks rather than the 3 days that others talk about.
It’s a little different since there isn’t the oxidation that takes place when hot coffee is let to cool to room temperature. Because of this, your coffee will begin to taste stale after two weeks and won’t be nearly as delicious as cold brew at that point.
However, as long as you’ve kept it out of the coffee maker and in an airtight container, you’ll be completely safe to consume it.
Iced Coffee
This is an intriguing case since, in my opinion, an iced coffee is only good till the ice melts.
I’ve already discussed how coffee is safe to leave overnight and still safe to reheat and drink the next day. After that, it will still be OK to drink.
However, coffee that has been watered down doesn’t taste good under any circumstance.
It’s perfectly OK to use cold coffee to produce iced coffee, but iced coffee shouldn’t be kept there until the ice has been removed beforehand.
Espresso
Another major no: don’t store espresso in the refrigerator. You shouldn’t ever have too much espresso; just be careful the next time to prepare the appropriate amount.
Latte and cappuccino-based beverages are perfect to store in the refrigerator.
I’ve previously stored leftover Starbucks in the refrigerator and consumed it the following day; it was delicious cold; but, I chose to reheat it in a pot first.
Because milk degrades so quickly and is more likely to make you sick if you accidently drink it after it has gone bad, espresso drinks only last two days in the fridge.
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Risk of consuming spoiled or improperly stored coffee
From the perspective of foodborne illness, coffee that is past its prime shouldn’t usually be a reason for worry if stored correctly. Old coffee may not taste as wonderful as freshly brewed coffee, but it typically isn’t harmful.
Despite this, it’s still crucial to inspect coffee for deterioration before consuming it. Coffee that has gone bad and has to be thrown out may show indicators such as mold, discoloration, or unpleasant odors.
Additionally, be cautious while drinking coffee that has creamer or milk added. To prevent bacterial development, milk shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Foodborne disease risk can be raised by consuming spoilt milk.
Related questions:
Q: How do I keep my coffee fresh?
A: Keep your coffee beans in an airtight container, away from any sources of heat or light. It’s also best to store them at room temperature instead of keeping them in the refrigerator.
Q: How long can I keep ground coffee in the fridge?
A: Ground coffee should keep for up to a week in the refrigerator, as long as it is stored properly. Make sure to keep it away from light and moisture and in an airtight container or bag.
Q: How can I tell if my coffee has gone bad?
A: You can usually tell if your coffee has gone bad by its smell. If it smells sour or musty, then it has likely gone bad and should be discarded. Additionally, check for any signs of mold growth on the beans or grounds.
Keeping your coffee fresh will ensure you get the best taste out of every cup! Follow these tips for storing your coffee correctly and enjoy each cup to the fullest.
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Final thoughts
Coffee can last in the fridge for up to two weeks, although it will start to lose its flavor after a few days. If you want to extend the shelf life of your coffee, make sure to store it in an airtight container. And if you’re ever unsure whether or not your coffee is still good, give us a call or contact Angelo’s Burgers. We’ll be happy to help!
If you’re like most people, you probably have coffee in your fridge right now. But how long has it been there? And is it still safe to drink? Read on to find out how long coffee lasts in the fridge and what you can do to extend its shelf life. Thanks for reading!