Does Coffee Go Bad? The Answer Is Complicated

Maintaining the freshness of coffee beans all comes down tostorage. And the storage method you should choose depends on the format of the coffee—that is, whether the beans are whole, ground or in pods.

• How to store coffee beans:Whole beans will last longer than pre-ground coffee, and even longer if you store them in an airtight container. If you want to keep it in its original bag, that’s fine, as long as you compress all the air out of the bag and seal it tight. An airtight container with a vacuum pump (like anOXO Pop container) is our vessel of choice. Keep it away from heat and sunlight, too.
• How to store ground coffee:For the freshest flavor, you should grind whole beans every time you brew…but pre-ground coffee is undeniably more convenient. The storage method is the same as whole beans: airtight container, away from heat and light.
• How to store coffee pods:Coffee pods forsingle-serve machinesshould be kept away from light and heat, but since they’re already sealed up, you don’t have to worry so much about keeping air out. Still, a jar or other airtight vessel won’t hurt.

You might’ve heard that you should store coffee beans and grounds在冷藏或冷冻保持更长时间的美味。这实际上是*t* true, at least when it comes to the fridge. Coffee beans are absorbent—store them in the fridge and any pungent odors (onions, garlic, last night’s leftovers) will get soaked right up. Not to mention the refrigerator will suck the moisture out of those beans, causing them to go stale even faster.

The freezer is preferable to the fridge for extended storage, but only if you do it correctly. Put the coffee in its original bag inside of a Ziploc bag, then compress the air out of it and put it in the freezer, where it can be stowed for a few months without fear of losing quality. When you’re ready to use the coffee, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw completely before brewing. Sounds easy, right? Just know that you can’t stick the coffee back in the freezer once its thawed, since the drastic back-and-forth changes in temperature can degrade the beans.

If your morning plans include slowly working your way through an entire pot of java, the best way to keep it tasting delish is to brew it directly into a thermal carafe, which preserves the flavor and temperature. Don’t leave a fresh pot on the burner, unless you like the taste of burnt coffee. Brewed coffee can be stored in the fridge for three or four days—hello,icedcoffee.

As forcold brew,它会保持对about a week in the fridge if stored in a lidded container. Happy drinking, y’all.