How long do coffee beans last? (Do coffee beans go bad? + more information)

Fresh coffee beans contribute significantly to your coffee’s texture and taste. So, you would want to preserve your beans well for the best coffee experience. This can prompt the question, how long do coffee beans last?

The shelf life of coffee beans depends on how you store them. If unopened and stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, coffee beans should be okay for up to a year. If opened, their shelf life drastically reduces to a week. However, coffee beans can last up to two years if stored in a freezer.

If you are a coffee lover like I am, you know the main experience we aim for when having coffee is a well-balanced flavor and freshness. However, this cannot be achieved if the coffee beans used have gone bad or were not appropriately brewed. Therefore, it is always important to check out your coffee beans or store them so they won’t go bad in a short while. If you have coffee beans and are wondering how long they last, this article will provide you with the necessary information and how to store the beans well so they can last longer.

Do coffee beans go bad?

Yes, coffee beans go bad. When stored in a pantry under great conditions, coffee beans should last for over a year. However, they will gradually lose their freshness and flavor. That does not mean you cannot consume coffee beans that have gone bad, but they will not give you an experience like fresh coffee beans. However, if your coffee beans have gone bad and they have become moldy, do not consume such beans, as this can now harm your health.

How long do coffee green beans last?

How long coffee beans last will depend on how you store them. If opened and not stored in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, coffee beans will only last for a week or two. However, when kept in a closed container and stored properly, expect your coffee beans to be fresh for a few months.

As mentioned above, unopened coffee beans will last for 12 months before they go bad, while frozen coffee beans last up to two years. However, once you freeze coffee beans, they will gradually lose their taste and flavor and won’t taste as good as fresh coffee beans.

How long do roasted coffee beans last?

When opened, roasted coffee beans can last up to six months. However, when sealed, these beans can last for another six to nine months past their shelf life. Therefore, if you have opened your bag of roasted coffee beans, you can increase its shelf life by storing the beans in an airtight container. However, if moisture manages to sneak into the container, mold will form, and the beans won’t be safe for consumption.

If you want the beans to last longer, you can opt for freezing. Frozen roasted coffee beans can last for two to three years and still be safe for consumption. The only downside of storing your beans by freezing is that they will not have a fresh flavor and fragrant aroma like fresh coffee beans.

How do you store coffee beans to increase their shelf life?

How long do coffee beans last? 
Coffee beans. Image source: Pixabay

When you buy coffee beans, you must ensure that you store them well to retain their fresh flavor and prolong their shelf life. First and foremost, you should always store your coffee beans in airtight containers in a dry, dark place. Exposing them to light, oxygen, moisture, or even air drastically reduces the shelf life of coffee beans.

A great way of increasing the shelf life of your coffee beans by several months is by freezing them in an airtight bag. However, this is not always the best option, as the beans gradually lose their flavor. However, they will last longer than unfrozen coffee beans.

Additionally, if you buy coffee beans, do not rush to open the bag of the beans if you do not intend to use them anytime soon. Unopened coffee beans can last up to a year. However, once you open the bag, the shelf life drops significantly to a week.

What do bad coffee beans taste like?

How long do coffee beans last?
Bad coffee beans. Image source: Pixabay

To know how bad coffee beans taste like, it is essential to know how good coffee should taste. If you brew coffee from good coffee beans, its flavor should contain some sweetness, acidity, and bitterness and have a smooth flavor and no off-notes. Depending on the type of coffee beans, you might feel an earthly or floral flavor. Furthermore, these flavors depend on the brewing system and how well you roast your coffee.

On the other hand, if you brew coffee beans that have gone bad, your coffee will have a sour and grassy taste. There are only two things that can make the coffee have such a taste; if it is brewed badly or if the beans have gone bad. Furthermore, even before you taste bad coffee beans, their aroma will give you a hint that your beans are bad. Bad coffee beans are dull with a musty aroma, which reflects in the taste of the coffee you make.

How can I tell if my coffee beans have gone bad?

Coffee beans can go bad when they expire or if they are not stored properly. Smelling your coffee is one way to tell if it has gone bad. Fresh coffee has a fragrant aroma, while stale coffee is musty as it has lost its flavor.

Furthermore, stale coffee beans have a dull texture as the oils in the beans have evaporated. The beans will offer you little to no flavor and aroma. Furthermore, when you ground stale coffee beans, they will appear dry and grainy.

FAQ section

Can you drink coffee beans that are gone bad?

Yes, you can drink coffee beans that have gone bad. These beans will not harm your health but will have a different taste from fresh coffee beans. If you love sweet and slightly acidic coffee, brewing beans that have lasted for a long time is not the way to go because you will get slightly sour and grassy coffee.

Can you freeze green coffee beans?

Yes, you can freeze green coffee beans, but only if you intend to store the beans for a long. To freeze these beans, pack them in zipper bags and only remove one bag from the freezer and store them on the kitchen counter to use for the week. Do not freeze these beans while using them at the same time.

Can freezing roasted coffee beans make them last longer?

The best way to store any type of coffee beans for longer is by freezing them. Therefore, if you want your roasted coffee beans to last longer, store them in airtight zipper bags and freeze them. Frozen roasted coffee beans can last up to two years when frozen. However, this is not the ideal way to preserve roasted coffee beans, as they will lose their freshness and flavor.

Is spoilt coffee beans bad for your health?

No, spoilt coffee beans will not harm your health. Though they won’t taste as good as fresh coffee beans, they are safe and will not make you sick. Bad coffee beans will only be a threat to your health if they have mold in them.

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