Is 2025 the year that you take the plunge (no pun intended, for you Aeropress & Cafetiere users) and begin to explore the world of fresh coffee beyond your usual, local coffee shop? First of all, congratulations! You are about to embark on a rewarding, delicious journey to the best that coffee has to offer. From exploring new blends or single origins, to experimenting with brewing techniques or perhaps even dipping your toe into the intricacies of roasting your own beans… but before you begin, there’s one crucial question that you need to know: How long do coffee beans last?
Fear not! The Coffee Bean Shop is here to answer all of your questions pertaining to the longevity of coffee beans. Do whole beans last longer? When do coffee beans go stale? Can you drink two year old coffee beans? After all, what is the point of investing in amazing coffee beans only to find that they are way past their best and lack in the amazing aroma and taste that they profess.
Settle in, perhaps make yourself a brew, and let’s begin.
How long do roasted coffee beans last?
There are so many factors that need to be considered before we can answer this question. In this guide we will delve into all of the most common influences on the shelf life of coffee and provide you with some tips on how best to store them to maintain their freshness.
Whether you’re a fan of whole beans or prefer the convenience of pre-ground, we’ve got you covered.
Roasted coffee beans, regardless of whether they are whole or ground, will gradually lose their flavour, aroma and caffeine content over time. This is down to the oxidation process, where the beans are exposed to air in day to day use and lose their freshness as they degrade.
However, there are a few things that can impact how long coffee beans last:
- The roasting date: when your beans were roasted will impact their freshness. Like any other organic good, they begin degrading as soon as they are picked, processed and roasted. This is why getting your beans from a reputable roasting company will always be better than getting them from a supermarket, where the beans could have been sat on a shelf or in a warehouse for months.When the beans are roasted and how they are packaged from the roastery will impact the life span on your beloved coffee beans.
- The type of beans: In general robusta can last slightly longer than arabica beans as they are the hardier variety due their higher oil content and are less susceptible to external influences.
- The roast level: darker roasts tend to last longer than lighter roasts and blends longer than single origin.
- What state they are in: Are they whole beans or ground for a specific brewing method? Read on to find out why this is important.
A quick guide to roasted coffee bean shelf life
Whole Beans: when stored properly (see below for tips) whole coffee beans will retain their peak flavour for no more than 3-4 weeks.
Ground Coffee: beans that have been ground begin to lose their freshness from the moment they leave the grinder, so if they arrive pre ground, factor in this time too. Due to their larger surface area, the oxidisation process is quicker than whole beans. It is always best to grind beans directly before using them, but if this is not possible then use them within 1-2 weeks for optimal flavour.
There is one caveat for the above times, and that is cold brew. Coffee used for cold brew can be significantly older than what is used in many other forms of coffee brewing, down to the long blooming and filtering time - sometimes as long as 12 hours. This means that you will get as much caffeine and flavours from the coffee as possible, making it the perfect vector for those beans you’ve got that are just past their best. Interested in trying you hand at cold brew? We’ve got a blog post that explains how.
Do coffee beans expire?
We’ve all been there: You find an old bag of coffee beans at the back of the cupboard and wonder if they will still make you a passable brew. You’re probably wondering if they will make you sick, or if they expire at all. Technically, as they have been processed (beans are dried out and roasted before making their way to you) coffee beans really ‘expire’ in the traditional sense of the word. They won’t make you ill if their freshness has passed; they just won’t taste very nice, if of anything at all.
Just like good wine, coffee has a primary drinking window where their flavour notes and intoxicating aroma is at its most vibrant and complex. After that window has passed, the flavours will fade and become muted and dull. And what is the point of a tepid tasting coffee?
The best way to store coffee beans
So, you’ve got your hands on some amazing beans and you want to make sure that they stay fresh for as long as possible. Proper storage is absolutely essential for this. Here are our top tips for the best way to store coffee beans:
- Store in an airtight container: This helps to minimise exposure to oxygen, which is the primary culprit for flavour loss. Airtight containers like glass jars with airtight lids or specially designed coffee canisters work well. All of our beans here at the Coffee Bean Shop come in resealable packaging (with a unique scenter tasting wheel), making them the ideal storage solution for your beans, as long as you don’t keep them next to the cooker or brewer…
- Keep away from heat and light: Heat and light accelerate the oxidation process. Avoid storing coffee beans near heat sources like ovens or radiators, and keep them away from direct sunlight.
- Store in a cool, dark place: A cool, dark pantry or cabinet is an ideal storage location for coffee beans.
- Store whole beans over ground: As mentioned earlier, ground coffee loses its freshness much faster than whole beans. Grinding your own beans just before brewing will ensure the freshest possible cup.
- Pay attention to the roast date: The roast date on the coffee bag provides an indication of freshness. Generally, the fresher the roast, the better the flavour.
- Consider the impact of humidity: High humidity can accelerate the staling process. Store coffee beans in a low-humidity environment.
Understanding degassing
If you want to understand the chemical technicalities of your coffee beans (we know that coffee nerds can be really nerdy, we are not judging!) There is an important process to understand when it comes to the longevity of your beans: degassing.
After roasting, coffee beans undergo a degassing process where carbon dioxide is released. This process can continue for several weeks. Storing beans in an airtight container can help to contain the degassing process and prevent the buildup of pressure within the container.
The TLDR:
The key to enjoying the best coffee is to use fresh beans, store them properly, and pay attention to factors like the roast date and the impact of humidity..
Storing green coffee beans
There is another way to ensure that your beans are the freshest, highest quality possible, and no, we don't mean for you to grow it yourself - although it is technically possible… We are talking about roasting your own coffee beans at home. We go into all the details on roasting green coffee beans in another blog post, but if you are interested in doing this, you’ll also need to know how to store green coffee beans:
- Store in a cool, dry, and dark place: Similar to roasted beans, green coffee beans should be stored away from heat, light, and moisture.
- Use an airtight container: An airtight container will help to protect the green coffee beans from moisture and pests.
There has been a real rise in home roasted coffee beans in recent years, with reputable coffee suppliers such as the Coffee Bean Shop selling high quality green coffee beans for that exact purpose.
Final thoughts
It is a fact universally acknowledged that coffee beans are at their absolute best when they are freshly roasted and ground. By following our simple storage advice, your beans should stay fresh and strong for as long as possible (3-4 weeks, if you missed it above) If you cannot grind right before brewing, then proper storage is even more vital.
If possible, consider buying your coffee beans from local roasters. Locally roasted coffee often reaches your hands more quickly, ensuring greater freshness. If not, then we are here to offer you the freshest coffee beans in the UK. We roast daily and post the same day, meaning that you could be enjoying your coffee the very next day. Why not treat yourself to some luxury coffee beans and begin your journey of exploring all that the home brewed coffee has to offer?