How Long Can You Store Ground Coffee?

Shelf life of coffee

For the Freshest Taste

Store whole beans in the freezer in an airtight, opaque container. Coffee picks up the odors around it and will begin to taste like the odors it has soaked up. Keep ground coffee in a smaller container at room temperature for a week at a time. Whole beans will last three months in an unopened bag and up to two weeks in a storage container.

For Convenience

It may be easier to grind all your coffee at once. In this case, buy smaller amounts and keep a week's worth of coffee in a small, airtight and opaque container. Keep the rest of the grounds in the freezer. For the very best results, grind your coffee 24 hours or less before brewing. It will last up to a week without going stale.

Bottom Line

Store your beans in the freezer and use small amounts of ground coffee that has been ground less than 24 hours prior. Coffee is light, oxygen, odor and temperature sensitive. Any alterations in these conditions will alter the taste of coffee.

References

• Coffee Analysts: Oxygen and Packaging
• Coffee Break USA: Coffee FAQ's