stockpiling coffee

[Ann in VA]

Hello,
My husband wants me to stockpile coffee. In your experience, how long does coffee keep? Does it go rancid after a while? How long have your kept it?

[cintinative]

well, I am not sure I can totally answer your question because I have always come close to running out before I stockpile more. I drink one cup a day (2 1/2 T coffee brewed) and I am going through a small can of coffee in less than two weeks. So for a year I need about 26 cans. The last time I stockpiled I think I bought 20 because they were only $0.38 each after coupon and catalina. The use by date on the coffee I bought (Maxwell House) was beyond a year. So, maybe look at how much he uses and plan to stockpile as much as you can, up to a year's worth? I have not found an issue with the coffee flavor yet. I am guessing that the bagged coffee might not keep as well as the cans. Maybe someone else can comment.

[537CMG]

I've read that you should keep your coffee refrigerated... It will get bad eventually. We have a few containers stockpiled and have kept them cold since my stockpile is in the garage. I think we will keep less in reserve during the hot summer months unless I find room in the fridge or freezer.

So I would be mindful of expiration dates, keep it cold and maybe manage a smaller stockpile of coffee than you would of paper products or other nonperishables.

Good luck!

[wookin]

I have a friend that found 4 cans of Maxwell House that he bought 3 or 4 years ago. We drank it with no problem. It was in cans don't know if bricks keep that long.

[debnva]

I am stockpiling Folgers right now(dh is brand loyal). I always check the sell by date that is stamped on it. We have used some a year after purchase and it tasted fine. It was getting close to the sell by date, but still within it. I like aiming for a years supply. The small cans last 1 week in our house. The super large cans from the warehouse clubs last us a month. I was getting the small cans for free to $1.00 a few weeks ago.

[ari'smom]

It should keep okay in the cans as long as they aren't opened. Canned coffee isn't usually super fresh anyway. But hey if it is cheap enough it does the job lol. The only thing worse than not so great coffee is no coffee imho. But it is definitely one of the things we splurge on when we can and totally worth it. And the fresher the better.

[CLN123]

How long can you keep coffee and safetly drink it? Does coffee go bad, can you freeze it? Just wondering.

[moxi]

Coffee never lasts that long in my house, lol. But my Mom buys whole bean coffee and freeze's it. I am sure it keeps for at least 6 months. Beyond that I would do some google research. I don't know about already ground coffee.

[DevilDuckie]

Are we talking about whole beans, or ground coffee?

I'll tackle ground first. Ground coffee will not turn rancid, or spoil, exactly. However, it's not designed for long term storage. In an air-tight container, away from light and humidity, you can expect about 6 months past the best-by date. After that, ymmv, depending on what you can stand. For me, I find the stale, dry-burny-awful smell too offputting.

Now, whole bean coffee. Coffee beans contain natural oils. Like any other oil, that gives you the capacity for spoilage. Old eggs/make you sick spoilage? No, it's more of a "eww, what died in this coffee bag" spoilage. It won't hurt you, but the smell will knock you over, and the beans will be horribly bitter.

Now, refrigeration/freezing:

First and foremost, the fridge is a major no, no. In the first place, it’s not cold enough to keep your coffee fresh. Secondly, your coffee will deodorize and dehumidify your refrigerator-just like baking soda, (yipes!) especially if its ground. That can't be good!
Freezing is optional. Some experts say that coffee
is never quite the same after freezing. True or not, what’s important is what works for you.
In my experience, if you have a quantity that can’t be consumed within 10 days to 2 weeks, freezing becomes a reasonable option. Just make sure to wrap it well as there can be some damaging exposure to moisture and light from constant opening and closing of the freezer door.
So if coffee storage in the freezer becomes necessary, here is my advice:
#1. Store your coffee in the original packaging.
#2. Put each one in it’s own Ziplock freezer bag and if you’re a real stickler, draw out the air with a straw while you close the bag.
#3. Then put them all into yet another bag, this time a grocery sack to keep out the light.
This may seem a bit much but it will protect your investment from being damaged by moisture and light.
Now you can withdraw your coffee in the proper quantity as needed and let it thaw before grinding. Your coffee should only be frozen and thawed once.

(found at Coffee Storage: Storing Your Coffee Beans Properly)

HTH!

[CLN123]

Thank you DevilDuckie and Moxi.