If you drink coffee frequently, then you must agree that a fresh cup of coffee is better than anything else. The quality and freshness of coffee beans is extremely important when it comes to making coffee.
In this post, we will see whether coffee beans go bad or not. We will also be taking a look at how long do coffee beans last before they start losing their flavor!
Expiration Time for Coffee Beans
Coffee, like every other food item, comes with an expiration date. But do coffee beans actually expire? The answer to this question might not be as straightforward as you might have thought.
When it comes to a pack of coffee beans, their expiration date usually indicates how fresh your cup of coffee would be. This is different from the expiration date that you would see on milk or juice. Expired coffee will not taste foul or make you sick. But what changes overtime is its flavor and freshness.
Coffee beans come from the seed of coffee cherries. When in raw form, they are green and can not be directly brewed. Raw coffee beans are roasted to bring out that coffee flavor that everyone loves and enjoys. However, after roasting, coffee beans can get exposed to light, air, and moisture. This can alter its flavor as well as freshness. If you make coffee with freshly roasted beans, that would be the best cup of coffee.
Manufacturers usually label coffee bean packs with an expiration date that helps the consumer know that the quality of the beans would be guaranteed till that point only. Beyond that, the flavor might not be the same.
So How Long Do Coffee Beans Last?
While raw coffee beans can last much longer, roasted coffee beans can only last for up to 2-3 weeks after they have been roasted. After that time period, the beans start losing their flavour. However, you can extend this period by storing your coffee beans properly. Ideally, we recommend storing them in an airtight container that you place in a cool, dry place.
Dark roasted coffee beans tend to oxidize faster as compared to coffee beans that have been roasted lightly. This is because, as you roast more, the coffee beans become more porous making them easier to oxidize. If you prefer roasting your coffee beans lightly, then your coffee beans can last for as long as 6 weeks.
To extend the shelf life of your coffee beans, you can pack them in a vacuum sealed bag that can help them last for 3 to 5 months. If you pack the beans in an unopened nitrogen-flushed bag with a one way valve, your coffee beans can stay fresh for a whole year. Freezing coffee beans can extend its shelf life to 3 years. There are many ways which can help you make your coffee beans last longer!
Conclusion
To answer your question, while coffee beans may not exactly go bad, they do tend to lose their freshness and flavor after a certain amount of time. Due to the process of roasting, it gets easier for the beans to oxidize, resulting in a bad flavor. However, with proper storage, you can make your coffee beans last much longer!