If you can't think of starting your day without a good cup of coffee, you don't feel alone. According to the NAC, 62 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee every day. That's a lot of coffee! Whether you prefer French press coffee or a frothy cappuccino, one thing is for sure: not all cups of coffee are created equal. If you want your daily cup to be sweet and pleasant, the coffee you start with must also be fresh and tasty. Old, stale beans just won't make it. To find out what you want to know about making the perfect cup of coffee, we spoke to two of the best coffee shops in the North to find out how long the coffee lasts.

Is there an expiration date?

Anchor
Both Muna Farhat, director of operations for Holsem Coffee Roasters in San Diego, CA, and Sean Sullivan, owner of Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon, says that the taste of coffee begins to degrade about two weeks after roasting. Both are clear, however, that coffee can still be drinkable and even delicious long after that date. Muna explains: "There are many variables to consider when talking about the freshness period of coffee, but the way coffee is packaged and stored makes a big difference. Many commercial coffee organizations have compiled several studies on the aging of coffee. over the years and found that coffee packed in vacuum-sealed bags with a nitrogen flush and a degassing valve to allow carbon dioxide to escape, can last for about six months; and coffee packed without nitrogen flush and with a degassing valve can last almost three months. "

How long does the coffee last?

However, it is vital to note that once you open your coffee, it will turn stale at a much faster rate. This means that infrequent coffee drinkers are likely to be better served if they buy their coffee in smaller quantities. Sean says, "Buying too much in bulk and accessing the same bag every day will continually expose the coffee to oxygen and moisture in the air, leading to degradation."

The story continues

Another factor that can influence the duration of the coffee is whether the coffee is ground or whole. Says Muna Farhat, "Whole beans will always lengthen the window of freshness. A big part of what makes coffee lively and exciting is the aromatics trapped inside those little beans after going through the roasting process. When you grind the coffee, you break down the cell walls of those coffee beans, and the rate at which those gases leave the material is significantly faster than if it were completely intact (whole bean)

What are some uses for stale coffee?

What if you were a little excited to stock up when your favorite brand went on sale or you received too many bean bags over the holidays? Taste it first, although it may not be at its best, coffee may still be palatable to your taste buds. If you find it is not cool enough for your taste, Sullivan suggests using it to make cold coffee (his recipe calls for one part medium-coarse ground coffee to 16 parts water, steeped for 12-18 hours. Be sure to filter before serving). He also says that aging stale coffee for a couple of weeks with water, vodka, and vanilla will result in a delicious coffee liqueur.

for more info: Miscela D'Oro Nespresso Compatible Capsules