Easy Ways to Learn How Long Do Different Types of Coffee Last

By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 09, 2023
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Each year, millions of people enjoy drinking coffee to give them energy throughout the day. Because of its popularity, it’s always easy to buy coffee products. But once you’ve purchased them, how long will they last before they go off? You should also be aware of some of the effects that you can experience when the coffee has gone past its expiration date. Let’s look into this tricky question today, so you can get the best flavor out of your coffee.

How Long Does Ground Coffee Last?

Easy Ways to Learn How Long Do Different Types of Coffee LastMost people can be able to answer how long does a cup of coffee last. Generally, the coffee has moved through your body within about four to six hours. This means that you no longer get the energy boost provided by this beverage unless you have another cup. However, once you start to start to ask about when ground coffee starts to spoil, it gets more confusing. This is because coffee lacks any of the distinctive signs that it’s past its use-by date. For example, it doesn’t smell or starts to change color. The only obvious signs appear when it’s stored in the wrong environment. For example, if you leave it in a humid environment, the coffee will absorb the moisture. This can lead to bacteria like mold getting established in the ground coffee. If you notice this, you should get rid of the whole batch. You should also wash the container thoroughly before storing anything else inside it. Thankfully, there are some general guidelines that you can use to tell if old coffee is safe to drink.

While you won’t get sick from drinking expired coffee, you won’t get the same flavor and effect as you would from fresh coffee. Generally, you will be able to find the expiration date on the packaging. This can usually be found on the back of the pack. There are a few simple principals that you should remember when deciding how long ground coffee can be stored before it starts to lose its flavor. Generally, ground coffee will be able to last for around three to six months after the expiry date and still be pleasant to drink. However, this will depend on the conditions in which it’s stored. To get the best results, you should store ground coffee in a cool, dry place. Often, this means placing them into the kitchen cabinet. In addition, you should consider the container that you store them in. You want to make sure that you find a container that is airtight. This will help extend the lifespan of the ground coffee and ensure that you get the best possible taste. Sometimes, they will come in a sealable glass or can. If this is the case, you can use this to store the ground coffee. However, if it comes in a package that can’t be sealed, transfer it to another container. You can extend its lifespan by putting the ground coffee into the freezer. If you do this, the coffee should last for around one to two years, if you put it into the freezer while still unopened. Another popular way that people consume coffee is through coffee beans.

How Long Do Coffee Beans Last?

Easy Ways to Learn How Long Do Different Types of Coffee LastMany coffee drinkers believe that coffee beans provide the best flavor. To get the best flavor, you should drink the coffee beans 15 days after they’ve been roasted. Most high-quality bean products will have the date when they were roasted on the package. This will give you an indication of the best time to consume this product. In addition, you will need to consider the number of coffee beans that you will be using to make the drink. To get the best value from your beans, you should grind the beans before each cup of coffee. This will provide the best flavor. It will also extend the lifespan of the coffee bean. Once you grind them, they will only be usable for a few days, then they will become undrinkable and lose their flavor.

However, sometimes it isn’t possible to drink the coffee beans within this period. Thankfully, coffee beans will still be drinkable for several months. To get the best results, place them in your kitchen pantry. This will provide the best environment for them, extending their lifespan. If you do this, coffee beans should be able to last for around three to nine months past the printed used by date. The best way to extend this is by placing them into the freezer. This will extend the lifespan to around two to three years past the printed used by date if the package is unopened. Once you open it, oxygen starts to enter the package, reducing the nitrogen levels and starting to affect the flavor. To slow this down, you should consider storing opening packages in the freezer. This will extend its lifespan to around two years after its use-by date. Though coffee beans and coffee grounds are some of the most popular types of coffee, there are several other types of coffee. Let’s look at how long they will last for.

How Long Will Other Types Of Coffee Last

Easy Ways to Learn How Long Do Different Types of Coffee LastOne of the most convenient types of coffee is Instant Coffee. This doesn’t require much preparation before you can drink it. Often, all you need to do is add hot water to the coffee and it will form a pleasant drink. Though, some people might argue that it doesn’t have the same kind of flavor of other types of coffee. This variety also has one of the longest lifespans of any coffee product. Typically, a can of instant coffee can last for around two to twenty years when stored in your pantry. However, you can get the longest lifespan when you store it in the freezer. But, how long does coffee last in the fridge? If you store it like this, your instant coffee won’t ever go off.

You might also be familiar with cold brew coffee. This is growing in popularity, as it allows you to store drinks for a longer period of time while maintaining their great flavor. First, let’s answer how long does brewed coffee last? Typically, when you use hot water to brew coffee, it will only last for a few hours. After this period, while you can still drink it without getting sick, the flavor will generally be highly unappealing. However, this isn’t the case with cold brew coffee. This type of coffee was designed to last for a long time, even compared with iced coffee. This is because of the way that it’s produced. To get cold brew coffee, you need to leave the beans to soak in water for several hours. Then, you can add milk or coffee. This keeps the mixture cold for the entire brewing process, producing a better flavor and a longer shelf life. For this reason, it’s becoming increasingly popular around the world. But, how long does cold brew coffee last?

Because it was designed to be stored, cold brew will typically last for longer than other varieties, like iced coffee. Generally, the length of time that you can store a cold brew will vary, depending on the type you purchase. For example, most cold brews will last for around two weeks. However, if you purchase a concentrate, it can last for a little longer, sometimes around one month. To get the best information, you should check the expiry date on the package. Also, you should make sure to store your cold brew correctly. This means that you will need to place it into the fridge. If you leave it in the pantry, it can make it easy for the cold brew to go off faster. In some cases, this can result in bacteria growing in the cold brew, making it unsafe to drink.

Helpful Advice for Coffee-Lovers

Though we’ve discussed a wide range of coffee types, there is a general method that you can use to understand the type of flavor that you can expect from the coffee. When drinking, think about how the coffee smells. This will give you a good understanding of the quality of flavor that will be produced. Generally, fresher coffees will produce stronger, more appealing odors than older coffees. By smelling your coffee while you brew it, you can get a good understanding of how fresh it is. If the coffee doesn’t smell appealing, and the taste is disappointing, it might have gone stale. While still safe to drink, it won’t be as flavorful. If this is the case, you might want to replace the coffee.

Conclusion

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, with millions of people enjoying it every day. However, many people might struggle to tell how long they can store coffee for. To help you understand this, we looked at some of the most popular types of coffee to help you know the best way to store them and how long they will last for. Hopefully, now you will always be able to create a refreshing coffee drink, without worrying about whether the coffee is stale.

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