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Coffee, being a perishable product, cannot stay fresh forever. At one point, it has to spoil or go bad. So, you may opt to store it in the fridge, at least to increase its longevity. Whether it is that coffee you made a day ago to take it in the future or coffee beans and ground coffee, you want the coffee to be fresh if you store it in the fridge.
Nothing can make you lose the urge to dive into your work like coffee that lacks its characteristics, flavor, and freshness. It may raise some questions in your mind like, did I let it stay in the fridge for too long? If I did, what would be the ideal date to have it before it loses its aroma? It is crucial to know the answers to these questions. Moreover, you should also know what you can do to maintain its freshness for a long time.
How Long Does Coffee Last in the Fridge?
The period will vary for coffee beans and freshly brewed coffee. The same applies to ground coffee. Coffee beans will last for 1 to 3 years, depending on whether you properly seal the storage bag after opening. For ground coffee, it can last up to 5 months as long as you store them well. Similarly, for a brewed coffee, the lasting period will be a week or less. All these timeframes mostly depend on how you keep your coffee.
Best Way to Store Your Coffee
You have the option to store coffee in the fridge. Whether in the ground form or coffee beans. But is this the best way to keep it? Absolutely no. Coffee is usually absorbent. Therefore, it can take in the different flavors and aromas in the fridge. Of course, you get different smells of the various types of foods you place in your fridge. However, there is so much moisture in the refrigerator that the coffee absorbs, making it stale.
Therefore, when storing your coffee, ensure that you keep it away from excess air, heat, moisture, and light. These things serve as the enemy of the coffee. They will make you have a boring cup of coffee since it loses its freshness, flavor, and aroma.
The best place to place your coffee is in a cool, dark place. Maybe on the shelf or your pantry area, as long as it meets the above requirements. The location you choose to place the coffee should be away from any form of heat or moisture since coffee is usually porous. As for the container, ensure it is air-tight. There you have it, avoid storing your coffee in the fridge as much as you can.
How to Make Coffee Last Longer?
There are different forms of coffee, such as ground coffee, coffee beans, and instant coffee. All these forms will give you a good cup of coffee, but the storage specifications of each differ. Also, the period that each type of coffee will last you varies.
All in all, everyone wants to maximize this period. Not just this, but ensure that you can also feel its freshness and characteristic flavor. This section will give you tips that will help escalate your coffee’s freshness in each form.
1. Ground Coffee
You will most probably find ground coffee almost everywhere. Most shops sell this product to their customers. How will I make it last me long? If you choose to use this coffee, ensure you purchase it in small amounts.
For significant amounts, ensure you consume it within a week or two after purchasing it. Otherwise, it will go stale because of absorbing the surrounding moisture. When you’re grounding it, prepare only the amount that you will be using for the day.
2. Coffee Beans
To boost the lifespan of coffee beans, ensure you store them as a whole. When in this form, the coffee will last for a considerable period. Store them at room temperature and seal your container correctly.
Remember, air will quickly damage your beans. If you choose to grind it, ensure that it’s the amount you’re going to brew at the moment. When buying, do so in small proportions at a time. Beans that can last you a week or two are the best.
3. Brewed Coffee
After you have your cup of coffee immediately after brewing, it gives you the best energy to carry on with your day. The taste and aroma could be different and boring if you chose to take it two days or more after brewing it. However, this may not necessarily be the case if you store it properly. When keeping it, use an air-tight thermos and take it within two or three hours.
Storing this coffee in the fridge will affect its freshness. The next time you take it, the freshness will not be the same. For keeping it, an insulated carafe works best. However, for cold brew coffee, it can last longer in the fridge. Again, ensure you seal it well before storing it. This way, it can take you up to two weeks.
4. Instant Coffee
Use an air-tight and opaque vessel to store your instant coffee. Ensure you keep it away from heat and moisture. You can also store it in the fridge, but ensure you properly seal it such that it doesn’t absorb any flavors from the refrigerator.
Ways to Keep Your Coffee Fresh
- Always go for coffee beans rather than ground coffee. Coffee beans usually last longer when you store them properly.
- Ensure the containers you use are air-tight. It prevents the coffee from absorbing the aromas in the fridge. You will want to maintain the freshness of the coffee anytime you have it.
- When buying coffee, choose the one whose sealing is a lid rather than a pouch.
- Moreover, do not allow your coffee to stay for more than two weeks before using it. After this duration, you will notice there is a change in its taste. The earlier you consume it, the better.
- Do not freeze your coffee; however, you can freeze the iced coffee. It goes well with the freezer.
- Avoid refrigerating your coffee. However, the best way to store your coffee is in a naturally cool, dry place. The place should be away from any form of heat or moisture. When you store in the fridge, it will take up the aromas of other foods there, giving you a funny taste. If you choose to keep coffee in the refrigerator, ensure the container is airtight and do not store it there for long.
- When buying coffee beans or ground coffee, buy them in small proportions, such as the amount you will be using. Even when grinding, measure the amount that you will use to make your coffee immediately.
Which Is the Best Way to Store My Coffee in the Fridge?
If you choose to store your coffee in the fridge, be sure to invest in an air-tight container. A proper zip bag will also work well. It is the best way to maintain freshness in the coffee. Cold-brewed coffee will still keep its taste when you store it in the fridge. Even coffee beans, as long as you put it in an airtight container. However, it will be best if you do not allow your coffee in the fridge for long.
Where to Make My Coffee Last Longer?
The possibility that your coffee will last long while in the pantry is high. Since you require a cool, dark, and dry place to store it, a pantry can have all these elements. The lifespan of coffee depends on how you keep your coffee, with coffee beans lasting longer than the other states. Anytime you store it ensures you seal your container well.