In this post, we will explore the many different factors that can affect how long a pot of coffee will last, and provide you with tips and tricks to maximize your coffee’s shelf life.
From storing it properly and a lot of great tips on keeping coffee fresh, you’ll be armed with everything you need to keep your caffeine fix fresh! Let’s go.
How Long Is Brewed Coffee Good For?
If you just keep a pot of brewed coffee out in the open, it will last around 3-4 hours. If you store brewed coffee in a thermos or cold cup, it can last 6-8 hours.
We highly recommend brewing fresh coffee every time you need it to avoid the degradation of flavor. So if you can brew in smaller quantities, you’ll be able to keep coffee brewing fresh for a longer time.
How Long Are Coffee Beans Good For?
Green coffee beans will last around 6-8 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature (79 degrees F or 26 degrees C).
Roasted coffee beans will also last about 6-8 months in an airtight container at room temperature. 3-4 weeks if stored the same way.
If you’re looking to store your coffee for a long period of time, we recommend freezing it instead! Frozen roasted coffee beans can last up to 2 months.
How Do I Make Sure My Coffee Is as Fresh as Possible?
There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your coffee is fresh. These are probably common knowledge but there are some personal tips from me that could help you a lot.
Beans
When it comes to freshness it starts with the beans you are using. Make sure your beans are fresh and most roasters display a “use by” date on the packaging.
This will help you determine the maximum time that the coffee beans should be stored before consumption.
Storage
I always store coffee beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep the beans fresh and make them last longer.
I only take beans that I’m ready to grind and brew. This means that I’m always getting the freshest cup of coffee.
Water
Make sure that the water you are using is fresh and filtered. The taste of the coffee will be affected by the quality of water used in brewing.
I personally always use filtered water. It may sound over the top but I much prefer the taste that comes from using filtered water. Especially since I live in an area that has “hard water”.
Keep Your Equipment Clean
Make sure that all of your brewing equipment is clean and free of any moldy leftover coffee grounds.
Most coffee machines now have self-cleaning cycles, descaling cycles, and also decreasing cycles. All of these will help to keep your coffee brewing equipment clean and fresh.
There are other cleaning and maintenance tips that you should follow. Find these in your coffee maker’s user manual.
Final Thoughts
Enjoying coffee as fresh as possible is as simple as following a few tips.
Using fresh beans and filtered water, and keeping your brewing equipment clean will ensure that your cup of coffee is always the best it can be.
Alex is a self confessed coffee addict – but he takes his love of caffeine seriously in a completely responsible way. He loves trying new coffees and testing the latest machines and is not usually fan of one button pod machines. Alex is happiest when he is tinkering with settings and milk temperatures to create the perfect cup. When not obsessing over coffee, Alex is a keen musician and plays weddings and other social events (usually fuelled by… yes, you guessed it… coffee).
