How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last? The Very Detailed Answer!

How long does unopened ground coffee last? – A question that flys around the mind of many coffee lovers!

Getting straight to the quick and easy answer for those of you that are in a rush – unopened ground coffee will last for up to 5 months beyond the printed expiry date on the package.

Keep reading for the more detailed answer and learn how to store your coffee in perfect and optimal condition for brewing coffee.

How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last?

Regular unopened ground coffee will last unopened for up to 5 months while maintaining the same flavor had you opened them on day one.

Specialty coffee, the highest grade of coffee available, will last for the same period of time while unopened, 5 months. Don’t expect your specialty coffee to have the vibrant flavors and aroma of specialty grade coffee; they will have lost a degree of your flavors.

Specialty grade coffee has a peak flavor window that is very short, only 7 days. Their optimal flavor starts 3 days after the roasted on date and lasts only for 7 days after. If you want to enjoy your specialty grade coffee, use them within this time frame.

Read: How long does ground coffee last in the fridge?

How Long Does Ground Coffee Last Opened?

If your ground coffee has been opened it will last for typically 3 to 4 months. Regular coffee will maintain its flavor and aroma through this time from the first cup of coffee to the last one.

High-end top quality premium quality coffee will last for the same amount of time with the vibrant flavors and aroma degrading and deteriorating once they are outside the peak flavor window.

High quality coffee comes in smaller bags for a reason – their optimal flavor lasts for only a short period of time. It really is a case of buying small and buying frequently.

How Long Does Unopened Coffee Last After Expiration Date?

How long your unopened coffee lasts after the expiry date depends on a few factors. How long your whole bean coffee and ground coffee will last beyond the date printed on the packaging is not as simple as adding a few months to it.

There are a number of variables to consider.

• As a general rule, well-stored ground coffee will last for 3 to 5 months beyond the expiration date.
• As a general rule, well-stored whole bean coffee will last for 6 to 9 months beyond the printed expiration date.

Well-stored coffee is defined as using an opaque airtight vacuum coffee canister and storing your coffee canister in your pantry.

Read: How long does freshly ground coffee last?

How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last In A Jar?

A jar like mason jar is not designed for and is not ideal for storing your coffee in.

Mason jars tend to be clear, made of glass and offer no protection against heat. These are two factors that are detrimental to your coffee.

To help your coffee last longer, you need to use an airtight container that is opaque.

A jar like a mason jar offers no additional protection other than protecting your coffee from moisture, air and odors.

Unopened ground coffee while stored in a jar will last for up to 5 months.

How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last In Fridge?

Storing your unopened ground coffee in your fridge helps to protect your coffee against heat, which is an enemy of their freshness.

Coffee being stored in the fridge is a little polemic as some people advise against it due to potential problems with moisture and taking on the flavors and scents of nearby food items.

This though, is not a problem with unopened ground coffee or opened ground coffee that is stored in an airtight opaque vacuum coffee canister.

Your fridge won’t help much to extend the life of your coffee or help them to last for longer beyond their expiry date. The advantage of using your fridge is helping them maintain their flavor. They will still last for 3 to 4 months when opened and up to 5 months unopened, but what you will get is better tasting coffee.

Your specialty grade coffee, particularly that single origin coffee, will be able to last a day or two longer at their peak flavor.

Read: How long does ground coffee last?

How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last In The Freezer?

Storing unopened ground coffee in your freezer is not a good idea; in fact it is a very bad idea.

The packaging that coffee comes in is very thin, flimsy and as a result your coffee beans will likely suffer from freezer burn which is detrimental to the quality of your coffee.

This is not to say that you can’t or shouldn’t freeze your ground coffee. Freezing your ground coffee properly can extend its shelf life to 2 years beyond the expiration date. Whole bean coffee can be extended to 3 years.

You must use an opaque airtight vacuum coffee canister to perfectly store your coffee in your freezer and prevent freezer burn.

Storing your coffee in optimal conditions is what I recommend. Use two opaque airtight vacuum coffee canisters.

Fill the first one with your coffee beans or coffee grounds and remove enough coffee to last you two weeks and store this coffee in your second canister. This is for your day-to-day coffee.

Store the first coffee canister in your freezer and your second canister in your fridge.

Both your fridge and freezer help to keep your coffee fresher by slowing down the oxidation process. Your freezer slows it down to an almost dead stop!

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last

Can You Store Ground Coffee Long Term?

Yes, you can store your coffee beans and ground coffee long term in a vacuum sealed coffee canister that is opaque and store your canister in your freezer.

The canister will protect your beans and grounds from freezer burn. Stored in this way your beans or coffee grounds can stay well for up to 2 years.

How Do You Know If Coffee Grounds Are Bad?

The easiest and best way of knowing if your coffee grounds or coffee beans are bad is by inspecting them visually and checking for off, sour, bitter or rancid aromas.

If you see any signs of mold, discard your coffee immediately. The final test is to brew a cup of coffee. When your coffee is ready, check for flat, off and rancid aromas and sip test it. If the taste is off, discard your coffee. If it is good, continue to enjoy your coffee.

Does Coffee Go Bad In Airtight Container?

An airtight container like a professional coffee canister will help your coffee fresher for longer and in peak condition. They are much better than a regular container and the packaging that they came in.

Is Ground Coffee Good After 3 Years?

Coffee, be it ground coffee or whole bean coffee, is shelf stable and will be fine to brew after 3 years. Just don’t expect your coffee to have the same fresh, vibrant and great aromas and flavors.

If you freeze your coffee beans or ground coffee and store it in a vacuum-sealed airtight coffee canister, storing the canister in your freezer will keep much better for 2 to 3 years.

The freezing of your beans reduces the oxidation of your beans to almost a snail’s pace. You must use a vacuum container even if your coffee beans are unopened. If you freeze your coffee beans or coffee grounds in the packaging that they come in, your beans will likely suffer freezer burn.

Which Coffee Has Longest Shelf Life?

The coffee beans that have the longest shelf life are green coffee beans. They are unroasted and if you freeze them their shelf life is unlimited.

How Do You Lengthen The Shelf Life Of Coffee?

You lengthen the shelf life of coffee by keeping it away or minimizing the factors that cause their degradation, which are air, moisture, temperature, light and odor.

This is what makes an opaque vacuum-airtight coffee canister the perfect storage container.

Does Ground Coffee Go Bad If Not Opened?

Ground coffee and whole bean coffee does not go bad per se as it is classed as shelf stable. This is why they are good for a long time past the best before date or use by date – they don’t go off, but they will suffer a loss of flavor to a greater or lesser degree.

Should Ground Coffee Be Kept Airtight?

Yes, all coffee should be kept in an airtight container once opened to help maintain their flavor and peak freshness.

Final Thoughts – How Long Does Unopened Ground Coffee Last?

Now that you know how long does unopened ground coffee last and how to store it in perfect conditions for making amazing coffee, all that is left for you is to get your hands on a couple of high-quality opaque airtight vacuum coffee canisters and make that investment in your coffee.

It’s an investment that will pay you back for years to come in great, fresh coffee.

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