Expired Coffee Beans — Is It a Thing?
Coffee beans can indeed have an expiration date. However, coffee is considered a conditionally safe product that is not prone to rotting or molding. So why do the packages still have an expiration date, and what happens if you drink expired coffee?
Coffee Shelf Life
In Ukraine, the shelf life of natural roasted coffee beans is 18 months, while in EU countries it is 3 years. This doesn’t mean that Europeans drink expired coffee; rather, it’s a consumption guideline. In Ukraine, it’s believed that after 18 months, coffee loses its taste and aroma. You can't get food poisoning from it if it’s stored in airtight packaging.
Can You Drink Coffee Past Its Expiration Date?
If there are no other options, you can allow yourself to try it once. It won’t harm you, but the enjoyment from such a cup will be minimal.
Specialty Coffee and Fresh Roasting
For specialty freshly roasted beans, there are specific guidelines. The peak flavor time is the first three months after roasting. Espresso is ideally made from beans two weeks old. Alternative brewing methods can be used from day one. After three months, the beans start to lose flavor, becoming flat and slightly bitter.
Shelf Life of Ground Coffee
Ground coffee oxidizes in the air faster than whole beans. Officially, the shelf life is the same — 18 months, but just a week after grinding, the beans lose flavor and can only be used for scrubs. You can drink such coffee, but only if there are no other options.
Benefits of Freshly Roasted Coffee
See the benefits of freshly roasted coffee for yourself by visiting our online store buno.com.ua. We guarantee quality and freshness as we roast the beans every day.
Be Cautious with Expired Coffee
When buying coffee from "Goods from Europe" shops, you might encounter expired products. In Europe, disposing of expired goods is costlier than producing them, so workers sometimes sell them. In Ukraine, such a product would be considered expired. You won’t get poisoned, but the quality and taste will be disappointing.
Using Nitrogen for Packaging
A new trend is nitrogen packaging, which extends the shelf life of coffee. Air is expelled from the package, then nitrogen is introduced, and the pack is quickly sealed. This prevents oxidation and helps preserve the flavor even of ground coffee.
Shelf Life of Green Coffee
Green coffee lasts up to three years but is susceptible to mold and rot. During roasting, these signs can be concealed, but the product becomes unsafe. Unscrupulous producers may sell such beans under the guise of quality. Always inquire with the producer about the control stages green coffee undergoes before roasting. Drink freshly roasted quality coffee and stay healthy!
