Shelf life of coffee beans, ground and instant

Coffee is a drink with a rich history; an entire consumption culture has been built around it. To be able to enjoy the bright taste and special aroma, the product must be fresh. How long does ground coffee last? To control this issue, manufacturers write terms on the container. However, this is not enough: in order to preserve the quality of the drink for as long as possible, it must be literally protected.

First, let's deal with the deadlines

Shelf life is the dates that manufacturers usually indicate on the container. During this period the product can be stored, it will not lose its tart taste or aroma;
Expiration date is the date until which the product can be consumed without fear.

Shelf life of coffee beans

How long they can be stored without deteriorating or losing their properties depends on the type. The shelf life of coffee beans, if they have not been roasted, is on average 1 year. This is most often indicated by the manufacturer directly on the packaging. If green beans have been processed properly, this period of time can increase to two or even two and a half years.

If the grains were packaged incorrectly, then the shelf life may, on the contrary, be greatly reduced. When purchasing, it is advisable to be able to evaluate the appearance of the grains. They should have a rich greenish tint, which indicates freshness. If the grains are pale, it means that they have been lying around for a long time and could lose their properties. It is also important to pay attention to the integrity of the packaging.

Roasted coffee beans retain their quality much worse. If you store it incorrectly, it will lose its taste and aroma in just a week. Roasted grains have one feature - they easily absorb moisture and foreign odors, which seriously affects their own properties. Therefore, the choice of packaging for their storage must be approached with special care.

In a paper bag, the shelf life is about two weeks; foil packaging allows you to preserve the quality of coffee beans for up to three months. The best type are special tightly closed containers in which coffee can be easily stored for six months.

Timing and types

Kinds	Deadlines (months)
Kinds	Jar	Plastic bag	Vacuum packaging	Capsules	Freezer/ Refrigerator	Closet
Black grains	6	0,5	12	—	—	0,5
Greens	6	0,5	12-24	—	—	0,5
Roasted	6	0,5	12	9-24	—	0,5
Unroasted	6	0,5	12-24	—	—	0,5
Ground	6-18	6	12-36	9-24	—	6
3 in 1	24	24	24	—	—	24
Sublimated	24-70	24-70	24-70	—	—	24-70

Duration of storage of ground grains

Most lovers of the aromatic invigorating drink prefer to purchase it in whole grains. This is due to the fact that it is very difficult to store it in crushed form; it quickly loses its properties. If you purchased ground coffee in vacuum packaging, then after opening it can be stored for no more than two weeks. The essential oils contained in it evaporate very quickly. The shelf life of ground coffee, if it was ground yourself, does not exceed three days.

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Coffee lovers advise:

Purchase exclusively whole grains and grind them in a coffee grinder immediately before preparing the drink.
If you still decide to buy ground coffee, then you should not buy it for future use; it is better to opt for a small amount.
It is best to store it in a tightly sealed container, as far as possible from any strong-smelling products.
Avoid exposure to moisture and direct sunlight.

About coffee

People discovered this aromatic invigorating drink more than a thousand years ago.
Once upon a time, a long time ago, a shepherd named Kaldim was tending his cows in the grasslands of the Kaffa province, which is located in the south of Ethiopia. Night fell, but the goats were not going to sleep and jumped merrily, remaining vigorous. This amazing behavior of the animals alerted the shepherd. He took the berries that the goats had eaten to the monastery and the monks began to use a decoction of coffee beans during night services. This is just one legend about how the magical drink - coffee - was discovered. Close trade ties between Arab countries contributed to the fact that coffee quickly spread throughout the Middle and Far East. The drink was enjoyed in Persia, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and then in Italy, Indonesia and Africa. Europeans discovered coffee only 400 years ago.

In Russia, coffee began to be consumed everywhere only in the era of Peter 1. It was accepted with hostility because of religious prejudices: church ministers believed that the drink “stupefies the mind.”

Where does the name coffee come from?

According to one version, the word “coffee” entered the lexicon of the peoples of the world thanks to the name of the province of Kaffa, where coffee berries were first discovered. However, another legend says that the name of the drink was given by the Arabs; “Kahwa” in their language means “dream-dispelling.”

Coffee trees

The trees of this crop can grow up to 10 meters and have a spreading huge crown. In order to collect berries from such trees, equipment is required. That is why plants that are 3-4 years old must be pruned and form a neat crown. Height varies from 3 to 4 meters. The fruits are collected manually. Trees grow up to 70 years, but the largest harvests can be harvested only in the first 10 years from the beginning of fruiting. The plantation should be periodically updated with young seedlings.

coffee berry

The berry core is covered with four protective layers:

The thinnest is the skin (usually burgundy);
Then comes the parchment shell (outer shell). It is dense and tough;
Gluten - contains a high percentage of sugar, but it is from the core of the berry that our aromatic and invigorating drink is prepared;
Pachment is a natural cellulose casing.

Storage duration of instant drink

With this variety the situation is much simpler. The shelf life of instant coffee is usually 2 years. This is due to the fact that during production it is subjected to processing using high temperatures. At the same time, most of the essential oils contained in natural coffee simply disappear from the product.

They are being replaced by artificial analogues, which remain in the product longer. However, once opened, the packaging should be stored for no more than three weeks. During this time, the remaining natural substances disappear. You can extend this period by placing the coffee in a hermetically sealed container. In such packaging it can retain its properties for up to two months.

How to store instant coffee

Instant coffee is made through complex processing of the beans and the addition of artificial flavors. After opening the package, essential oils disappear faster than from a natural ground product. Therefore, it is necessary to store instant coffee in a printed packet in the dark and dry.

The maximum shelf life is 2 years. Then the aroma completely disappears. In addition, synthetic additives can undergo various reactions, so drinking expired coffee is dangerous.

Different types of storage containers

There are several types of packaging in which coffee is usually kept:

Paper bags;
Containers made of plastic or metal;
Foil packaging with check valve;
Glass or ceramic containers with a tight-fitting lid.

Each type has its pros and cons, which are worth considering in more detail.

Coffee is most often sold in bags made of paper in stores. But this is not the best packaging for the product. It is quite thin and does not protect well from environmental influences. Therefore, after purchasing, when you come home, it is advisable to pour the coffee into another, more suitable container for storage.

Metal and plastic containers are separated into a single group, since both are poorly suited for storing coffee in them for a long time. The reason for this is that these materials tend to give the product an unpleasant aftertaste, and can themselves become saturated with its odor, which is difficult to remove.

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Very often glass or ceramic jars are used for this purpose. It is advisable that the lid be equipped with a silicone seal to ensure the tightness of the package. If the container is transparent, then it is advisable to place it in a dark place to prevent exposure to sunlight. The disadvantage of such containers is that there is no possibility of removing carbon dioxide from it.

Therefore, grains that have been roasted independently can be transferred to a jar only after a day. During this time, gases and excess moisture will come out of them.

The best storage option is foil bags equipped with a special clasp and valve. They significantly increase the shelf life of coffee. The opaque material prevents sunlight from reaching the product, and the non-return valve allows excess gas to escape freely from the packaging.

5 rules for storing coffee at home

In the home kitchen, tree coffee beans have “enemies” - moisture, foreign pungent odors, close proximity to other products. To enjoy this invigorating drink with its unique aroma and bright taste every day, you need to follow simple rules for storing it.

Coffee products should only be stored in containers that close tightly. Jars for storing coffee should have a well-closing lid, and the bags should have a strong clasp. If air enters, the product will undergo oxidation, and the aroma will evaporate very quickly!
Containers for storing coffee must be clean, dry, and free of foreign odors. It is desirable that they be made of glass or ceramics. These materials maintain the cool temperature that this product requires.
If raw materials are in the refrigerator, they should not be adjacent to food products that have a strong odor. It is better to store grains in a box or on a separate shelf.
A dark, cool place is best for storing coffee fruits. If this is a kitchen cabinet, then it should be located away from the stove and heating appliances.
You can store coffee and tea on the same shelf, provided that both products are packaged in airtight containers.

Before preparing a portion of an invigorating drink, you need to open the package, quickly take a couple of spoons of the raw material and immediately close it. This will prevent air from entering.

Do not store coffee in a coffee grinder. Don’t be lazy to add the required amount of grains to prepare one serving.

Can I drink coffee if the expiration date has expired?

Like any other product, it is better not to use it after the storage time has expired. Spoiled coffee can be identified by several signs:

The appearance of rancid taste;
Lack of aroma of the drink;
The appearance of mold (this happens if moisture gets into the packaging);
Formation of foreign odors.

What happens if you drink expired coffee? Even one cup of this drink can cause food poisoning. The main danger comes from the fats present in the grains, which seriously deteriorate over time. Instant coffee is unlikely to lead to dire consequences, since it does not contain such substances. But one way or another, you won’t get a tasty drink from a product that has expired.

If you hate to throw away expired coffee beans, you can use them to make crafts. They are often used to create topiaries, panels and decorate photo frames. Using imagination and creativity, you can make an interesting decoration for your interior.

Some varieties and varieties of coffee

In the modern world, coffee is very popular. There are many varieties of this drink that manufacturers offer us, but they are based on four varieties:

Arabica (Arabic coffee) has a bright, rich aroma, its taste is strong and slightly bitter. This variety is ideal for the preparation of instant granules and used in mixtures;
Robusta - originally from Africa, the aroma of this type has a slight sourness, the taste is sweetish, delicate. To prepare drinks, you can mix it with Arabica or brew it yourself. Africans often used robusta grains as a spice, crushed them and added them to food.
Liberica and Excelsa are little-known varieties. These two types of coffee are inferior in taste to Arabic coffee and Robusta. They are intended for mixtures, as they give the drink strength and persistence of aroma.

For lovers of everything unusual, real gourmets, there is a very interesting way of preparing coffee beans. The berries do not undergo the usual heat treatment, but are fermented in the gastrointestinal tract of a small animal - the civet. The berries that have passed through the animal’s digestive system are collected, cleaned of droppings, washed and dried. The drink made from such grains has a specific taste and oiliness. Due to the complexity of production, such a drink is not affordable for everyone; its price can reach one and a half thousand dollars per kilogram. It's called Kopi Luwak.

Another elite variety of coffee is Black Tusk, which is fermented in the stomach of an elephant. The taste of this drink is subtle, there is no bitterness, and the aroma contains notes of dates, cocoa, and expensive tobacco. The price of this coffee is not affordable for everyone.