Does coffee go bad?

Coffee doesn't spoil the way fresh food does, but it goes stale. Whole beans keep 3 to 5 months in the pantry. Store-bought ground coffee keeps its flavor for only about 2 weeks once opened, or a month in the fridge. Instant coffee keeps about a year unopened, and 2 to 3 months once opened.

Food	Fridge	Freezer	Pantry
Whole coffee beans	—Opened: 3–4 months	—	3–5 monthsfrom purchaseOpened: 3–5 months
Store-bought ground coffee	—Opened: 1 month	6–12 months	2 yearsfrom purchaseOpened: 2 weeks
Instant coffee	—	—	1 yearfrom purchaseOpened: 2–3 months

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if coffee has gone bad

A flat, weak or dusty smell instead of a rich aroma: the coffee is stale, not unsafe.
A sour, musty or moldy smell, or visible mold. That happens when coffee gets damp: throw it out.
Clumped, hard instant coffee has absorbed moisture. It's usually still usable if it smells fine.
Brewed coffee left out for more than a day, or with milk for more than 2 hours, should be thrown out.

How to store coffee

Keep coffee in an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dark cupboard. Air, light, heat and moisture are what make it stale.
Buy whole beans and grind just before brewing for the best flavor; ground coffee goes stale much faster.
Buy amounts you'll use within a few weeks of opening.
Keep coffee away from the stove and the kettle: steam brings moisture.

Can you freeze coffee?

Yes, if you won't use it within a few weeks: ground coffee keeps 6 to 12 months in the freezer. Freeze it in small airtight portions, and don't put it back in the freezer once you've taken a portion out, as condensation damages it. Use it straight from frozen.

Questions

Can you drink expired coffee?

Dry coffee past its date is generally fine to drink if it's dry and shows no mold, but it will taste weaker and flatter. The date is about flavor.

Should coffee be kept in the fridge?

It's not the best place: coffee absorbs smells and moisture in the fridge. An airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard works better, and the freezer for long storage.

How long does brewed coffee last?

Black coffee keeps a few days in a sealed container in the fridge, though it loses flavor quickly. Coffee with milk follows the 2-hour rule at room temperature.

Add coffee to ShelfLife with the date you opened it, and know when it's time to start a fresh bag.

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