Whether you’re enjoying a cup of cold brew as a morning pick-me-up or savoring an after-dinner coffee or espresso to wind down after a long day, mastering how to store coffee grounds vs. beans will help ensure that you’re experiencing the freshest and most flavorful cup possible.
The clock starts ticking after the beans are roasted, the National Coffee Association explains, so your best strategy is to invest in small amounts of coffee at a time. However, we don’t want to (and imagine you’d prefer not to) shop for a new batch of beans or grounds every day or even every week, so it’s helpful to brush up on how to store coffee.
To help keep your joe as aromatic and expressive for as long as possible, follow these pro tips for how to store coffee grounds vs. beans.
- Alex Gigas, a Denver, Colorado-based associate team leader, logistics and product quality (with a speciality in coffee) at Whole Foods Market
- Ann-Marie Kurtz, Seattle, Washington-based member of Starbucks global coffee education team
How to Store Coffee Grounds vs. Beans, According to Experts
There are four main factors that impact the freshness of your coffee, according to Folgers:
- Oxygen
- Heat
- Light
- Moisture
Since exposure to any of those elements can increase the risk for stale or spoiled coffee, it’s important to keep them in mind when storing your beans and grounds.
How to Store Coffee Beans
To preserve your beans for as long as possible store them:
- In an airtight opaque container. Store the coffee beans in a cool, dark place in their original package until you’re ready to brew them. At that time, open the package and transfer the beans to an airtight and non-see-through vessel, such as a stainless steel canister with a locking lid. Although it can be tempting to display your coffee beans in a clear food storage container, exposure to light is not ideal. If you’re going to keep the beans in their original package, press out as much air as possible and seal the package tightly, suggests Ann-Marie Kurtz, Seattle, Washington-based member of Starbucks global coffee education team.
- In a cool and dark place. Your pantry or a cupboard away from heat sources is ideal, explains Alex Gigas, a Denver, Colorado-based associate team leader, logistics and product quality (with a specialty in coffee) at Whole Foods Market. “Heat will encourage the oils to bloom,” Gigas adds.
How to Store Coffee Grounds
If possible, store coffee beans rather than grounds, and use a coffee grinder to blitz your beans before you make each batch.
“When coffee is ground, more surface area of the bean is exposed to air, which causes the coffee to oxidize more quickly than whole beans and lose its aromatic compounds,” Kurtz says.
Otherwise, if you’re in a hurry in the morning and strongly prefer to grind them in advance or have purchased ground coffee, “treat ground coffee just like whole bean coffee,” Gigas advises.
Store your coffee grounds in an opaque airtight container in your pantry or a cool cabinet you don’t open frequently (to limit light exposure).
Dealing with a big batch of coffee grounds? Divide it into smaller containers, then open and use one at a time, the National Coffee Association recommends. This will reduce the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with your coffee.
Can You Freeze Coffee?
Even the National Coffee Association admits that there are opposing opinions about whether you can or should freeze coffee. There’s no real benefit to refrigerating your beans, and doing so increases the risk for odor and moisture exposure.
The freezer might be a little safer, and “freezing your coffee will help it retain its quality longer,” Gigas admits, but it’s vital that you freeze your coffee in a truly airtight container, such as a vacuum-sealed bag. The freezer can also lead to moisture build-up, especially if condensation occurs as the coffee changes temperature (which can occur if you open the door often). Portion the coffee into week-size containers, vacuum seal them, then thaw one at a time to “avoid putting stress on the coffee by freezing and thawing numerous times,” Gigas recommends.
Aim to use frozen coffee within 6 months.
How Long Do Coffee Beans and Grounds Last?
If you’re storing your coffee unopened and in a cool, dark, airtight space, it should last for…
- Coffee beans: 4 to 6 months
- Coffee grounds: 3 to 5 months
That being said, “ground coffee is typically at its freshest within two weeks of being roasted, while whole bean coffee can last longer—up to 4 to 6 weeks after being roasted,” per Folgers experts.
Once you’ve opened the package, aim to use coffee within 1 week, if possible, Kurtz says.
How to Tell if Coffee Has Gone Bad
According to Gigas and Kurtz, the signs of stale beans or grounds include:
- Loss of aroma
- Loss of acidity
- Loss of moisture (so the beans or grounds feel light for their size)
- Dull and flat flavor
Spoiled coffee often delivers a cup with an unpleasant or moldy taste and/or a musty smell.
If you notice any of these signs of stale or spoiled coffee, discard or compost your coffee.