There’s nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee brewed with freshly roasted beans.
There are fewer things worse than making yourself a cup of coffee, only to find that the taste isn’t right. For coffee enthusiasts, fresh coffee beans are essential to making a flavorful cup of coffee.
But, how long do coffee beans last, and how can you keep them fresh for as long as possible?
This article will help you understand how long coffee beans last as well as the best storage practices to help you keep your coffee beans fresh.
How Long Do Roasted Coffee Beans Last?
There are many factors that affect the taste of coffee.
The type of coffee, the flavor, the roasting, and the brewing methods can all have an effect on the taste of coffee.
But, one of the most important factors that can affect how your cup of coffee tastes is the freshness of the coffee beans being used.
When coffee beans are roasted, all of the fresh aromas and flavors are released in the coffee bean. But how long do roasted coffee beans last?
If in a vacuum-sealed package, roasted coffee beans can last anywhere from 6 – 9 months, depending on the type of coffee, your taste preferences, and whether they are stored properly.
Once the sealed package is opened, the roasted coffee beans have a shelf life of about 2 weeks.
To preserve roasted coffee beans for longer, you might choose to freeze your coffee beans. If frozen, you can extend the shelf life of your roasted coffee beans anywhere from 1 – 3 years.
How Long Do Green Coffee Beans Last?
If you have never tried green coffee beans, you might be wondering what they are, and how different they are from roasted coffee beans.
Coffee beans are naturally green and turn brown only after being roasted.
If you’re looking for coffee beans that have a shelf life that’s longer than a few months, green coffee beans may be the perfect choice for you.
Green coffee beans can last up to 12 months when stored correctly.
Green beans last longer than roasted coffee beans because the process of roasting coffee beans brings out the flavor and aroma locked inside of the green coffee beans.
This makes roasted coffee beans more weak and brittle, which causes them to lose their flavor more quickly.
When you buy green coffee beans, you will have to roast them yourself.
Make sure to only roast the number of coffee beans you plan to use within a short time period to keep the rest of the beans fresh.
How To Store Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans
To keep your roasted coffee beans as fresh as you can, it’s important to store them properly.
To store freshly roasted coffee beans, make sure to keep the beans airtight and cool.
Moisture, heat, air, and light all affect the shelf life of roasted coffee beans.
Unfortunately, once opened, the coffee beans retail packaging is not ideal for preserving freshness.
To preserve your freshly roasted beans for as long as possible, store them in an opaque, air-tight container.
Keep the container in a dark spot at room temperature.
How To Store Green Coffee Beans
Green coffee beans are porous, which means they easily absorb moisture and odors.
When storing green coffee beans, make sure to keep them away from other foods and scented products, as they’ll easily absorb the scents and flavors around them.
You can store green coffee beans in opaque airtight containers or valved bags.
Keep your green coffee beans in a dark, isolated spot at room temperature.
How Long Can You Keep Coffee Beans Unopened?
Once you open your package of coffee beans, they begin to quickly lose their flavor and freshness.
But, how long can you keep coffee beans unopened?
An unopened package of coffee beans will last anywhere from 6-9 months if they are stored correctly.
Do Coffee Beans Last Longer Than Ground Coffee?
Yes, coffee beans last longer than ground coffee.
Since there is more surface area in coffee grounds, oxygen is able to affect more of the coffee molecules at once.
Although how long coffee grounds stay fresh depends on whether they are stored properly. Either way, they have a short shelf life.
If you’re looking to keep your coffee tasting fresh for longer than about a week, it’s best to stick with whole coffee beans.
Final thoughts on how long coffee beans last
Keeping your coffee beans fresh is essential to brewing a quality cup of coffee.
With proper storage and care, you can stretch the shelf life of your coffee beans while keeping their fresh flavor.
Now that you know the ins and outs of keeping your coffee beans fresh for as long as possible, you’ll be making the perfect brew at home in no time.
