How long does fresh ground coffee last? (+3 Tips)

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How long does fresh ground coffee last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of ground coffee. Moreover, we are going to discuss the proper storage tips for the ground coffee and the ways to tell if the coffee has gone bad.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

How long does fresh ground coffee last?

The primary shelf life of ground coffee, as reported by producers, is 12–18 months; the estimated secondary shelf life is about 15 days. (1)

Can fresh ground coffee go bad?

Yes, ground coffee can go bad.

Just after roasting, coffee starts to lose flavors, progressively reducing its quality characteristics. The concomitant development of oxidative reactions and flavor loss is responsible for the so-called coffee staling.

When lipid oxidation takes place during storage, it causes the formation of undesirable flavors, making the product less acceptable, or totally unacceptable to consumers, and determining the end of its shelf life.(1)

How long does ground coffee last in the fridge?

Ground coffee can last 2 weeks in the fridge or 1 month in the freezer if you store it in a sealed container.You can do this if  you live in a humid environment and don’t want to risk exposing your ground coffee to moisture (2)   

How to store fresh ground coffee?

  1. You should always store your ground coffee in air-tight containers or plastic zipper bags to reduce its contact with air.
  2. Store the ground coffee in a cool, dry, and dark place.
  3. You can even opt for buying roasted beans and afterward grind them at home to preserve their flavor and aroma for a long time. Moreover in this case, only grind that amount of coffee beans that you need so that the freshness of the rest of the coffee beans can last for long. (1, 2)

How to tell if your coffee has gone bad?

Sensory analysis by sniffing coffee powders or tasting coffee brews have been widely adopted to monitor the evolution of staling during coffee storage. It should be noted that microbial growth is never an issue in whole and ground roasted coffee. 

The low water activity of coffee, together with the lack of essential nutrients and the peculiar content of melanoidins with antimicrobial properties, prevent microbial spoilage.(1)

What are the risks of consuming spoiled ground coffee?

When coffee is stored correctly, there is typically no need to worry about it causing foodborne illnesses. This is due to the combination of low water activity in coffee, the absence of essential nutrients, and the unique presence of melanoidins, which have antimicrobial properties. 

These factors work together to prevent the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms in coffee that has surpassed its prime. (1,2)

Other FAQs about Coffee which you may be interested in.

Coffee and Cigars

Joe Bean Coffee Roasters

Why does soy milk curdle in coffee?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “How long does fresh ground coffee last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of ground coffee. Moreover, we discussed the proper storage tips for the ground coffee and the ways to tell if the coffee has gone bad.

Citations

  1. Manzocco, L., Melchior, S., Calligaris, S., & Nicoli, M. C.  Packaging and the Shelf Life of Coffee. Reference Module in Food Science. 2019.
  2. Adrienne Seitz, Lizzie Streit, How Long Does Coffee Last? Ground, Brewed, Cold Brew, and More, Healthline Media LLC. 2021.

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