Are you storing your coffee the wrong way? Experts say this is the only correct way to do it

Drinking coffee is a way of life for many people, either as a form of relaxation, a social activity or, in some cases, an addiction. Studies have shown that, after water, coffee is the most consumed drink in the world, although there does seem to be some competition on that front from tea, depending who you listen to.

The benefits of coffee and correct storage

According to health experts, drinking coffee in moderation can offer a series of health benefits, with research carried out by Portuguese researchers in 2024 revealing consuming no more than three or four cups per day could extend your life by another 1.8 years.

If you’re not already a coffee drinker, and there’s a good chance you are, then maybe you should be (always in moderation, though, remember). But what is the “right” way to store your coffee? Have you been doing it wrong all these years?

The good news is that storing coffee is about freshness rather than food safety. If you haven’t been doing it correctly (within reason), don’t worry, your life isn’t under threat. It’s purely about getting the best tasting cup of coffee possible.

How to make the best cup of coffee possible

Experts at Folgers have offered their tips on how and where to keep your coffee in order to achieve an optimal beverage.

Coffee grounds, beans and instant coffee should all be stored “in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight,” as you might expect, although it also pays to keep “the lid tightly closed.”

Note the word ‘cool’ and not ‘cold’. While many foods and drinks stay fresher for longer in the fridge or freezer, keeping coffee there will only ruin your breakfast, or whenever you choose to have a cup.

“We do not recommend refrigerating or freezing coffee as this can result in flavor loss,” says Kyle Hess of The J.M. Smucker Co., which owns Folgers.

As long as coffee grounds are in date, Folgers says they keep their full flavor for approximately three weeks, after which they begin to lose their taste.

Time to get the coffee out of the fridge and throw out that jar at the back of the cupboard.

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