When you're stocking up on the key ingredient for your favorite beverage, you may be wondering if you'll be buying more than you can consume while it still has that delicious, fresh taste. 

We'll explore the things to know to make sure you're able to enjoy every sip possible with your new bag of beans!

Coffee's Shelf Life

Coffee has a shelf life, and depending on if you've opened the bag and the type of coffee you purchased, that shelf life will vary. Once you open your coffee, you'll get your best taste when used within the first week when stored properly. However, sometimes there's some left over after those first seven days!

Many people choose to store their coffee in the pantry to keep it at the ideal 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but storing in the freezer can give the coffee an extended shelf life without risk of freezing the coffee. 

Coffee Stored in the Freezer

Whole Beans, Unopened: 2 to 3 years

Whole Beans, Opened: 2 years

Ground Coffee, Unopened: 1 to 2 years

Ground Coffee, Opened: 3 to 5 months

Coffee Stored in the Pantry

Whole Beans, Unopened: 6 to 9 months

Whole Beans, Opened: 6 months

Ground Coffee, Unopened: 3 to 5 months

Ground Coffee, Opened: 3 to 5 months

Why should I stick my coffee in the freezer?

Whether you prefer whole bean or ground coffee, putting your remaining coffee in the freezer immediately after use helps keep it fresh longer. Our coffee is shipped the day it roasts*, so this is a great way to keep that top-of-the-line taste in every cup.

If you have whole bean coffee, we recommend storing the remaining coffee in an airtight container in the freezer and only grinding what you need as you need it. This practice helps keep out moisture and anything that could contaminate your coffee. 

With ground coffee, we recommend storing it in the freezer between uses to keep its freshness. Coffee grounds won't need to thaw, so just pull them out of the freezer when you're ready for your next brew!

Does coffee go bad?

Yes. However, "bad" coffee isn't harmful - it just doesn't taste great. How can you tell if it's bad? Smell the coffee. If that delicious scent of coffee is gone, you'll have also lost most of the fantastic taste. The coffee may also turn a lighter brown. So you can still make yourself a hot cuppa, but it won't be as enjoyable as the freshly roasted coffee you know and love.