Whether you love it for the taste or it happened to be a morning routine you simply cannot escape, coffee is meant to be drunk fresh.
But a key question on everyone’s mind is how long does coffee last? Not only that but is there a way to preserve its freshness? These two points are key for making the best morning cup. Understanding how long you can keep it and how long you can preserve its freshness will make sure you never drink bad coffee.
And to answer these two questions, we will have to dive deeper into the subject. So with all that said, let’s start.
How Long Does Coffee Last?
Firstly, let’s talk a bit about the many forms of coffee. You might be using any number of these and each one has different expiration dates.
So in order to fully answer the question, we will have to give an answer for each one. Let’s do that.
· Whole Beans
A particular section of caffeine lovers prefers whole beans. And for those of you that truly feel this way, do know that you get the long expiration date. More so, keeping whole beans fresh is all about preserving them until brewing. Namely, you keep the coffee in the form of whole beans before brewing for ultimate freshness.
Since whole beans are meant to be ground before brewed, all you’ll need to do is simply grind what you plan on brewing. This way you’re not only keeping its freshness but also the wonderful taste and smell that comes with it. Whole beans can last for up to 9 months in the pantry.
· Ground Coffee
Grounded coffee is different from whole beans in the sense that it is the finished product. Because of this, you lose a couple of things such as the freshness, the flavor, and of course, the scent.
Grounded coffee lasts shorter than whole beans and you’re meant to get less to preserve its freshness more. This form usually lasts up to five months, but the freshness goes away for about two weeks. You can check this guide for ground coffee on coffeehow.co.
· Instant Coffee
There’s very little to say about this one. Those that drink this form are usually people in a hurry. And for those of you that prefer instant coffee, the expiration date can be up to 20 years.
· Brewed Coffee
The rule is very simple on this one. You drink what you brew, and throw what you cannot. That’s because this form of coffee is meant to be enjoyed for the moment. While you can keep some of it for later in the day, it’s just not the same thing. The Brewed type lasts for 12 hours, but the freshness goes away in the first hour. That’s why you’re meant to drink what you brew.
For those of you that are hardcore enthusiasts, finding a place that can supply you with all of your coffee needs will save you plenty of time and energy. And one such place that can supply you with anything from beans to brewing makers is pickandbrew.com.
How To Preserve Its Freshness
Now, let’s talk about some of the steps we can take to preserve the freshness.
1. Control Room Temperature
In order to preserve maximum freshness, we have to take certain steps to make it possible. And in the case of coffee, preserving freshness is very simple.
Many homes keep their coffee on the shelves in the kitchen, in cabinets, or on the countertop. But are you aware that sunlight and warm temperatures are actually harming the beans?
In order to preserve maximum freshness, you need to keep the beans or grounded coffee in someplace dark and chilly. This is why it’s best to find a room with optimal temperature or place it away from sunlight.
2. Reseal Tightly
Many homes keep their coffee in specially designed containers. But many make the mistake of improperly resealing. This is a huge mistake and one that ultimately harms the freshness of the beans.
So another way to preserve its freshness is to simply reseal the container properly and tightly to prevent air from coming in.
3. Keep In Lightproof Containers
When on the subject of containers, the golden rule is to keep the beans in lightproof containers. We mentioned earlier that sunlight harms the freshness of the coffee. And while plastic bags are mason jars are very convenient and easy to come by, they ultimately harm the freshness of the beans due to their poor lightproof qualities.
Even if you do use them, make sure to keep the container away from sunlight. But if you do manage to get your hands on a lightproof container, then do know you’ll be preserving the beans as best as you possibly can. Even if you expose the container to sunlight, the lightproof properties will eliminate the issue.
4. The Freezer Is An Option
For those of you that like to travel or spend weeks away from home, there is a very convenient way how to preserve the freshness of the beans. Even if you’re at home all the time, many of you love to buy in quantity.
When this is the case, it can be very difficult to preserve the freshness, quality, scent, and magnificent flavor of the coffee. Luckily, a very convenient solution exists.
All you need to do is simply place the coffee in an airtight container in the freezer. You can use smaller airtight bags for maximum convenience and pickup whenever one runs out.
But once you take it out of the freezer, just make sure that you’ll need to brew it immediately and not to put it back as it will lose its flavor and scent due to the oxygen exposure.
Conclusion
Dozens of ways exist on how to preserve the freshness of the coffee. Not only that, but every type has its own expiration date and freshness date. Familiarizing yourself with the many ways to preserve freshness will make sure you’re drinking the best possible cup of coffee.
