Coffee, a staple in many households, often prompts the question of its shelf life. Interestingly, coffee doesn't necessarily "go bad" in the traditional sense.
Initially, raw coffee beans require roasting to become drinkable. Stored properly in a grain pro bag, with minimal temperature fluctuations and consistent humidity, raw coffee can maintain its quality for over a year. These conditions ensure the beans retain optimal moisture levels and preserve their desirable attributes.
However, once roasted, coffee undergoes a transformation where the beans essentially turn into carbon. This process accelerates oxidation, causing the oils, gases, and dissolvable solids to degrade over time, resulting in a loss of flavor.
Freshly roasted coffee, in whole bean form, typically retains its peak flavor for about 1 to 1.5 months. After this period, the taste gradually diminishes, with noticeable flavor decline within 2 to 3 weeks. Therefore, it's advisable to consume coffee within this timeframe to experience its full aroma and taste profile.
If you buy multiple bags of coffee and would like to preserve as much flavor as possible you can simply store the sealed coffee bag in your freezer. I definitely recommend that once you open the coffee bag it’s best to keep it out of your freezer so ice crystals don’t develop on the coffee further oxidizing it.
Understanding the lifespan of coffee underscores the importance of storing it properly and consuming it while it's at its freshest to enjoy its rich flavors to the fullest.