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How Long Does Ground Coffee Last In The Fridge? Let’s Find Out!

What Is The Shelf Life Of Ground Coffee In The Fridge?

The shelf life of ground coffee in the fridge is a question that many people ask.

First off, there are two types of coffee: fresh and stale.

Fresh coffee has been roasted within 24 hours of being brewed or purchased.

Stale coffee was previously roasted but not sold for more than three months before roasting again.

Refrigeration extended time the dry shelf-life of coffee significantly.

It also helps prevent the formation of off flavors caused by bacteria.

In fact, refrigerated coffee lasts longer than any other type of coffee.

storing coffee in the refrigerator is ideal.

But don’t forget to use the freezer option when necessary.

Tips for keeping coffee fresh for longer

Coffee beans are the raw material for most of the world’s finest coffee, and once done on roasting process, they can be stored for a long time before, if not forever.

The downside is that stale coffee can taste awful, but there are steps you can take to avoid it.

  1. Keep the separate container tightly sealed so air doesn’t get into the bag.
  2. If possible, keep the coffee away from direct sunlight as this can cause oxidation process which will shorten the ideal shelf life.
  3. Store the coffee at room temperature and avoid freezing.
  4. Don’t leave the coffee out on the countertop because heat causes excess moisture level loss through evaporation. This could lead to mold growth.
  5. Use only whole bean coffee grinds.

Can you store ground coffee in a Mason jar?

Yes! You can even put your favorite flavored coffee grounds inside mason jars with lids.

This way, you’ll have an easy access to them whenever needed.

You just need to make sure that the lid fits snugly over the top of the jar.

If the beans are still inside the original bags of favorite coffee ground then just place a smaller sealable container within the Mason Jar, put the beans inside and then close the lid.

And remember to always label the contents clearly.

How Can You Tell If Coffee Is Bad or Rancid?

There are several ways to tell whether your favorite coffee is rancid or spoiled.

  • One way is by smelling it.

Rancidity smells like rotten eggs while spoilage usually just tastes bitter.

  • Another method is to look at the color.

A dark brownish liquid indicates spoiling, whereas a light yellowy color suggests rancidity.

You may notice other signs such as discolored grounds or even a foul odor.

  • If your coffee has mold in it.

If your coffee has mold growing in it then your flavorless coffee is rancid.

How to Know if Your Beans are Fresh?

To know if the type of beans are fresh, check them first with your nose.

Freshly roasted beans smell of coffee are sweet and fruity.

They’re often darker colored too.

Coffee aficionados when buying online, always read the description carefully.

Some sellers claim their product is freshly roasted, but actually it might be stale.

So do some research about the seller before purchasing.

Also, try to buy directly from the producer instead of going through middlemen.

Can You Store Coffee Beans in the Fridge?

Yes! It depends on how much space you have available.

Ideally, you’ll need somewhere between 1/2 cup – 2 cups.

However, if you’ve got less space, you can still store up to 4 cup of coffee beans.

Just remember to rotate the airtight container every few days.

And never put hot food items next to cold ones.

That’s why we recommend using glass jar rather than plastic bags or plastic containers.

How long does vacuum packed coffee last?

Vacuum sealed coffee, like any flavorful coffee ages, needs to be kept cold, in a cool dry place.

It’s not hard to keep it cold, but the important thing is to keep it dry.

Too much exposure to moisture in the air can cause it to become moldy.

When you open the seal on a vacuum-sealed packaging, the coffee should be dry.

To store extra coffee, keep it in a vacuum-sealed container options that has a lid.

Vacuum packing keeps oxygen out of the package.

This prevents the development of harmful microorganisms.

As a result, vacuum packed coffee should stay good for around 6 weeks.

After that point, though, the quality starts deteriorating rapidly.

What happens to coffee after it’s ground?

After grinding, the coffee loses flavor quickly due to exposure to oxygen.

This means that within 24 hours, the quality starts deteriorating.

But fortunately, you can extend the storage period by sealing the coffee grinder lid.

For best results, seal the coffee in jar immediately after grinding process.

Once opened, the coffe needs to be used right away.

Otherwise, it won’t last very long.

How long does coffee last once ground?

Ground coffee lasts anywhere from 3-6 months depending on where you live.

It also depends on what type of coffee you use.

Coffee made with lighter roasts tends to go bad faster than those made with more robust coffees.

In general, though, coffee extract should stay good for 6 months or longer.

As mentioned above, storing it properly helps prolong its lifespan.

Can old ground coffee make you sick?

It is no secret that coffee contains caffeine, the addictive central nervous stimulant that acts as a first line of defense against the sleepless nights of insomnia.

Caffeine also possesses a number of other effects, including the ability to stimulate the heart, improve energy levels, and reduce stress.

Most people believe that caffeine is harmless; however, there are some people who believe that old coffee grounds can actually cause health problems.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, the risk of getting high levels of caffeine in your system if you drink old coffee grounds is low, but it is not completely safe.

Ground coffee goes rancid and loses flavor when exposed to oxygen and moisture over time frames.

This process is known as “oxidation”, which causes the coffee starts to lose its flavor.

Can ground coffee go Mouldy?

No, coffee beans fresh in their natural state do not react to moisture or oxygen to mouldy, as they are already moulded.

However, if coffee grounds ready, it is more exposed to oxygen and is more likely to be mouldy.

Mold growth occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, yeasts, and fungi grow inside an object.

The mold spores enter into the air and then settle onto surfaces like foods, plants, animals, and even human beings.

If left untreated, these organisms will multiply rapidly and produce toxins that may lead to serious illness.

Although most types of mold cannot survive at room temperature, they thrive under conditions of warmth and humidity.

How long is ground coffee good after expiration date?

If you’ve ever bought a fresh ground coffee pack and noted an “expiration date” on the box then you’ve probably had a moment of panic thinking that you’ve lost that much money.

Well, you haven’t. If you look at the back of your coffee pack you will see a date stamped as the date the coffee was produced, and this can be found underneath the ingredients list. This is not the “expiration date”.Expiration dates only apply to food products sold commercially.

They don’t mean anything about how well stored home-ground coffee will keep.

You have to judge this yourself based on how much you grind each day.

Generally speaking, freshest coffee keeps better than store bought pre-packaged coffee.

Lucy Harper

Lucy Harper

Lucy Harper is the founder and owner of our coffee content site. With a lifelong passion for coffee, Lucy has dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. Her goal is to help coffee lovers of all levels to explore the world of coffee and discover the joy of the perfect cup. When she's not writing about coffee, Lucy can often be found in her kitchen experimenting with new brewing techniques and coffee recipes.