How to store coffee
Best place: the pantry until opened, then the fridge. Unopened, coffee keeps for 3 to 5 months in the pantry. Once opened, the fridge gives 3 to 4 months.
3 to 5 months
from the package date
3 to 4 months
after opening
No guideline
USDA notes for coffee
- commercial ground, non-vacuum: Critical to be stored in an airtight container.
- commercial ground, non-vacuum: Do not return to freezer once taken out.
How to tell coffee has gone bad
General signs for beverages, the group USDA lists coffee under.
- Fizzy drinks that have gone flat or taste metallic
- Sour or curdled smell from opened juice or milk alternatives
- Cloudiness or separation that will not shake back together
- Cork pushed slightly out or wine that smells like vinegar
- Mould ring forming at the neck of a bottle or carton
More on beverages. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened juice, milk alternatives and any dairy-based drinks, and use them within about a week. Store unopened cans and bottles upright in a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight. Keep coffee and tea in airtight containers away from heat and moisture to preserve flavour longer.
How to store other beverages
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.