Does Coffee Go Bad? Everything You Need to Know About Coffee Freshness And Storage!
“Does coffee go bad?” - If you have wondered this question many times, let me give you the answer. Yes, it does. But not the way you might think.
In this article, we will we are going to dive into the topic of coffee freshness and storage.
We will explore why coffee expires, how to tell if it does, why freshness matters and some helpful tips on keeping your coffee fresh.
Are you ready to step into the coffee world? Let’s go!
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Does Coffee Go Bad?
Before going into details, we need to determine what you mean by “bad.”
To some coffee aficionados, it means their drink gets spoiled and might be harmful to their health. However, others think that it is a change in the taste of their coffee as it has a worse flavor.
For each definition, you will have different answers to our questions. Don’t worry as I will try to cover as many options and definitions as I can.
Now, let’s move the next part to see why coffee goes bad.
Reasons Behind The Expiration Of Coffee
No matter what form coffee is in; it is a combination of a thousand different nutrients. Amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids are the three main compounds in coffee.
When time goes, physical and chemical changes of these substances also happens. It brings alteration of the aroma and taste to the raw material and the finished product.
Carbohydrates become stale, the liquid turns rancid, and organic compounds evaporate.
Besides, other components have altered when exposed to oxygen.
In the beginning, the changes will turn the original taste of your coffee into the different one gradually. And at a higher level, it may become harmful to your health, and you must know that your coffee has been spoiled entirely.
How To Tell If Coffee Has Gone Bad?
If your beans smell rancid, don’t keep the standard color, or there are any signs of mold, it means that you can not use them anymore.
Another situation is that your container is wet because of water, you should check your beans carefully - maybe you even need to throw them away. You can also use similar rules to the ground or instant coffee.
- Prepare a steaming cup of coffee to test the taste.
- Drink a sip and enjoy the flavor. If you have the same feeling as it should, there is no problem.
In case you find it drinkable but bland, or the taste has changed a little bit - you have two options:
- If you cannot accept that the flavor of your coffee is not the original one, throw it away.
- If you think it is still okay, keep it for yourself and enjoy. It is not the tastiest coffee, but it is safe to drink.
Note
However, when you smell a weird taste (rotten, moldy, or mildewy) or find any discolorations, you should not try it. Check it carefully before drinking to make sure that your coffee doesn’t have adverse effects on your health.
Why Should You Drink Fresh Coffee?
The most critical reason I have to mention is that drinking fresh coffee is a way we protect our health. Besides, fresh coffee keeps the most delicate flavor.
It is evident that your taste buds will be satisfied with the clean acids, the sweet sugar, the captivating aromas, and the smooth bitterness.
The best time to enjoy fresh coffee is the closest time to the roasting date (not the expiration date).
I will not say more about the advantages of fresh coffee - surely, coffee lovers cannot resist this exquisite taste. Now, let me show you some helpful guidelines on storing your coffee.
How To Store Your Coffee?
Roasted coffee beans are the choice of many coffee aficionados.
When you buy coffee beans, sellers often give you a plastic bag. After opening that bag, you should put the beans into an airtight and opaque container.
Ensure that your coffee beans are away from heat sources. A cool, dark, and dry place would be ideal.
According to my experience, a dark cabinet in the kitchen will meet your requirements. With this way, you can use your beans up to nine months past its expiration date.
Another type I want to mention is ground coffee.
You can grind it with a coffee maker with the grinder or buy at the store. You will apply the same storage methods to ground coffee. Remember to protect your container from moisture and air, and keep it close all the times.
Also, the freezer will help you retain the best taste longer. This method extends the time you can use from one to three years for both beans and ground coffee.
K cups is a storage option you should take into consideration. You don’t need to put too much effort. Just make sure that there is a cool, dark, and dry place for it.
However, K cups will also expire. Checking the expiration date of this product is necessary.
See Also: Do K Cups Expire? All You Need To Know About K Cup Freshness
The Last Word
Does coffee go bad? Yes, it does. However, if you store your coffee correctly, you can keep it fresh much longer.
After all, fresh coffee is always the best choice.
If you want to share with us your experience and your thoughts about coffee storage or any related problems, leave your comment below!
