You will be surprised that a “small” cup of coffee has the most “huge” statistics in the world. On average, 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day, ranging from latte, and espresso to cold brew. Up to 62% of Americans drink coffee and on average they consume up to 3 cups of coffee per day. Coffee has become one of the most popular drinks with many advantages such as being easy to prepare, easy to preserve, and long-lasting.
According to the USDA, coffee does not have an expiration date but only a best-before date, because it can be preserved until a meteorite destroys the earth. But does coffee ever go bad? Or does coffee grounds expire? This is definitely a question that many coffee lovers are interested in. Let’s find the correct answer in the following article!
Does Coffee Grounds Expire?
Coffee ground doesn’t technically expire, but it does go rancid over time. That’s why the USDA doesn’t give coffee an expiration date, only a best-before date. We can joke that coffee can be kept until the earth is destroyed by a giant meteorite.
Although coffee grounds don’t expire, they will go rancid and change flavor over time. So how long can coffee grounds last? Let’s find out the shelf life of coffee grounds right after this!
How Long Coffee Ground Last?
For unopened ground coffee, it can be stored well for about 3-5 months if you store it in the pantry. If you store it in the freezer, ground coffee can last up to 1-2 years. Of course, the shelf life of unopened ground coffee will be longer than that of opened-ground coffee. Opened-ground coffee will retain its best flavor for about a few weeks.
Besides, you will also easily notice that ground coffee has a shorter shelf life than coffee beans. Ground coffee will have more surface area exposed to oxygen than coffee beans, accelerating the oxidation process and making it more susceptible to spoilage. In addition, ground coffee also absorbs moisture from the air more easily than coffee beans. Therefore, ground coffee will not last as long as coffee beans.
Instant coffee is also a type of coffee ground but has a longer shelf life. Some people claim that instant coffee can last up to 20 years if stored in a sealed bag and away from direct sunlight. An opened bag of instant coffee can also last for several years.
How Do You Know If Coffee Grounds Are Bad?
Ground coffee doesn’t expire, but its flavor will gradually decrease over time. So how do you know if your ground coffee has gone bad? Just like other types of coffee, ground coffee that has gone bad will have changes in aroma, color, and texture.
- Scent: You probably know the strong aroma of freshly ground coffee, right? If your ground coffee starts to smell strange, like moldy or rancid, that’s a sign that your ground coffee has gone bad.
- Color: Ground coffee should be dark and even in color, so if it is different in color, it may have gone bad.
- Texture: Freshly ground coffee should be dry and have a smooth, lump-free texture. If your ground coffee is lumpy, oily, or slightly moldy, it’s time to throw it away.
Can You Use Expired Coffee Grounds?
Yes. Basically, you can still use expired ground coffee. However, the flavor of the cup of coffee will be affected, not as fragrant or strong as usual. Expired ground coffee will taste lighter and the aroma will not be as strong as freshly ground coffee. If you do not want to waste expired ground coffee, you can use it for other purposes such as absorbing refrigerator odors or removing unpleasant garlic odors from your hands while cooking. Additionally, ground coffee can be used as fertilizer for plants to provide additional nutrients.
How to Store Coffee Ground Properly?
Storing ground coffee is similar to storing coffee beans. Ground coffee should be kept out of direct sunlight, in a cool location, and in an airtight container. Metal or ceramic containers are best for storing ground coffee. Glass containers are also fine, as long as you make sure the container is airtight and free of moisture.
To best store ground coffee and maintain its flavor for a long time, you can refer to the following tips:
Do not put it in the refrigerator: Some people mistakenly think that the refrigerator is a great place to keep ground coffee from getting moldy. However, the humidity in the refrigerator is very high, so ground coffee is more susceptible to moisture.
Check the packaging: To make sure you use pre-ground coffee at the ideal time, look for the roast and expiration dates on the packaging. Although the expiration date of ground coffee can be very long, it is recommended that you use ground coffee within 3-4 weeks of roasting.
Freezing ground coffee: Ground coffee needs to be kept away from the refrigerator, but it can still be frozen in the freezer. Freezing ground coffee in the freezer will help extend its shelf life. However, you need to avoid freezer burn and should defrost 1 day before using.
Store in an airtight container: Ground coffee is more susceptible to spoilage than coffee beans because it absorbs moisture faster and is exposed to more oxygen. Therefore, you need to tightly seal the ground coffee container to prevent the coffee from being exposed to moisture.
Use coffee within 1 month: Although the answer to does coffee grounds expire is no expiration, you should use ground coffee within 1 month. No matter how tightly you seal the coffee container or how well you store it, ground coffee will gradually change in flavor if left for too long.
Wait to Grind: This last tip may sound a little strange, but if possible, store your coffee in bean form and grind it when you need it. Beans are easier to store and last longer. Ground coffee, on the other hand, will taste best within a week of grinding. Therefore, waiting to grind your coffee when you need it is the ideal solution to bring delicious cups of coffee.
Wrap Up
The answer to does coffee grounds expire is no. Ground coffee does not physically expire, however, it does go rancid and change in taste. According to USDA, ground coffee does not have an expiration date, only a best-before date. Expired ground coffee can still be used, but it will taste bland and not as aromatic as fresh ground coffee. Thus, it is advisable to store ground coffee properly and use it within the best possible time.
FAQs
2-year-old ground coffee is still safe to use, but it will not taste as good as freshly ground coffee. Ground coffee tastes best within a few weeks of being ground, so use your ground coffee as soon as possible to ensure a rich flavor.
Coffee stored for 5 years can still be used safely and will not cause harm or poisoning if stored properly. However, the flavor of ground coffee will become bland and lose its rich aroma over time.
No. You can freeze ground coffee in the freezer, but you should not put ground coffee in the refrigerator. The refrigerator has high humidity and strong odors that can directly affect the quality of ground coffee.
