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Should You Refrigerate Coffee Grounds: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on June 8, 2023June 2, 2023 by John Bird

Coffee grounds freshness is an essential part of delivering that perfect cup of coffee every time. While working at Starbucks, I learned quickly that storing coffee grounds correctly plays a significant role in maintaining the much desired flavor and aroma. However, opinions on the best storage methods vary — with some people swearing by refrigeration, and others preferring room temperature. This left me wondering: Should you refrigerate coffee grounds?

In search of an answer, I decided to experiment and dive deep into the world of coffee grounds storage. Throughout this article, I will share my findings and experiences to help you determine the best way to keep your coffee grounds fresh and flavorful. We’ll explore the impact of refrigeration on coffee grounds, the factors affecting coffee ground storage, and alternatives to refrigeration.

Should You Refrigerate Coffee Grounds

The Impact of Refrigeration on Coffee Grounds

There are a few reasons why people consider refrigerating coffee grounds. The logic is that lower temperatures slow down chemical reactions, which in turn preserves the freshness of coffee grounds. The idea is that refrigeration extends the shelf life of your coffee grounds, making it a seemingly viable option for longer storage times.

However, refrigeration also presents certain drawbacks and risks to the flavor, freshness, and quality of your coffee grounds. As we continue, we will explore these potential pitfalls and find out when, if ever, refrigeration may be the best option for storing coffee grounds.

Factors Affecting Coffee Ground Storage

When considering coffee ground storage for maximum freshness, it is essential to understand the key factors that influence the freshness and quality of coffee grounds. Temperature, humidity, light, and exposure to air all have an impact on preserving your grounds – let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.

🌡️Temperature

Low temperatures can slow down the compounds responsible for coffee ground quality. With this in mind, it is clear that an ideal storage environment requires a cool, stable temperature. However, the question still remains – does refrigeration offer the best solution for temperature control?

💧Humidity

Moisture is one of the most significant enemies of preserving coffee grounds. High levels of moisture can cause coffee grounds to become moldy or stale, ruining their flavor and potentially even rendering them unsafe for consumption. Given that refrigerators tend to have a higher humidity level, this raises concerns about using this method of storage for your coffee grounds.

💡Light

Like temperature, light can have an impact on preserving coffee ground flavor. Excessive exposure to light, particularly direct sunlight, can cause the browning reaction in coffee grounds and lead to a loss of flavor. For this reason alone, it may seem that keeping coffee grounds in a dark refrigerator could have its benefits.

💨Exposure to Air

Oxygen can degrade the quality of your coffee grounds over time, so limiting air exposure is critical for maintaining freshness. When considering whether or not to refrigerate, it is important to remember that opening and closing the refrigerator door frequently can allow air to get in and out of the coffee storage container.

Pros and Cons of Refrigerating Coffee Grounds

Coffee Grounds

Armed with a better understanding of the factors affecting coffee ground storage, let’s dive into a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of refrigerating coffee grounds.

👍Pros

Slower degradation of grounds: Lower temperatures do slow down many of the chemical reactions responsible for the freshness of coffee grounds. This means that refrigeration could potentially slow the aging process of your coffee.
Protection from light: As mentioned earlier, light can have a detrimental effect on the quality of coffee grounds. So, one benefit of fridge storage is that it shields your grounds from light.

🙁Cons

Moisture absorption: Refrigerators tend to have higher humidity levels, which can cause coffee to absorb moisture and become stale or moldy. Using a high-quality airtight container is vital for moisture control.
Flavor degradation and odor absorption: Coffee grounds can absorb flavors and odors from nearby foods in the refrigerator, which may alter the taste of your final brewed coffee.
Air exposure: Opening and closing the refrigerator door exposes your grounds to air, making it harder to achieve aroma retention. Furthermore, taking coffee grounds out of the refrigerator can cause condensation, leading to moisture buildup.

Best Practices for Coffee Ground Storage

Irrespective of the storage method you choose, implementing these best practices will help you preserve the longevity and flavor of your coffee grounds:

Airtight containers: Regardless of whether you store your coffee grounds in the fridge, cupboard, or a specialized coffee storage accessory, using an airtight container is essential. This practice helps ensure that your grounds are protected from harmful factors like oxygen, light, and moisture.
Cool, dry place: Look for a storage area that offers a consistently cool temperature and minimal humidity.
Avoid light exposure: Keep your coffee away from direct sunlight or other light sources that can degrade its quality over time.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with confidence, knowing that you’ve taken the right steps to preserve the flavor and aroma for as long as possible.

Now that we’ve explored the pros and cons of refrigerating coffee grounds, as well as different storage methods and tips for keeping your coffee fresh, it’s time to address some common questions and misconceptions related to storing coffee grounds. We’ll start by tackling the question of whether refrigeration can extend the shelf life of your coffee grounds. To find out the answer, continue reading here.

Another popular question is how much ground coffee should you use per cup? To get the answer to this question and learn more about brewing the perfect cup of coffee every time, check out our article here.

FAQs

Can refrigeration extend the shelf life of coffee grounds?

While refrigeration may slow down some chemical reactions that affect the freshness of coffee grounds, achieving long-term storage solutions for coffee grounds may not be worth the risk of moisture absorption, flavor degradation, and potential exposure to odors. Instead, a combination of airtight containers, cool and dry storage environments, and avoiding light exposure can help maintain coffee ground freshness better without the use of refrigeration.

Does refrigeration affect the flavor of coffee?

Yes, refrigeration can have a negative impact on the flavor of your coffee grounds. As discussed earlier, grounds can absorb flavors and odors from other foods in the refrigerator. Moreover, the high humidity levels inside a refrigerator can alter the taste and aroma of your coffee grounds due to moisture absorption. It’s far better to invest in proper coffee ground preservation methods that protect against moisture, light, and air exposure.

How long can coffee grounds stay fresh at room temperature?

The duration for which coffee grounds stay fresh at room temperature can vary depending on factors such as the roast date, quality of the grounds, and storage conditions. However, as a general guideline, properly stored coffee grounds can remain fresh for 2-4 weeks at room temperature. Ensuring that your grounds are stored in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture can also help extend their freshness.

Conclusion

So, should you refrigerate coffee grounds? Based on my experience and the experiments I’ve conducted, I would recommend against refrigerating coffee grounds. Instead, focus on properly storing coffee grounds at room temperature in airtight containers, away from light, heat, and moisture. This will help preserve the flavor, aroma, and freshness of your grounds more effectively than refrigeration.

Of course, everyone’s tastes and preferences are different. If you believe refrigeration works well for you, feel empowered to continue using that method. At the end of the day, the goal is always to achieve the best possible brewing experience. So, whether it’s through alternative storage methods, meticulous preservation, or even trying new techniques, continue experimenting and exploring to discover the perfect storage solution for your favorite coffee grounds.

References

How Much Ground Coffee Per Cup? Making the Perfect Cuppa Everytime!

Posted on July 28, 2021February 22, 2023 by John Bird

Sounds like a pretty straightforward thing right? Turns out making coffee involves quite a bit of math. And here I thought I won’t have to calculate ever again after grad school!

No worries for you as we have gathered everything you need to know into one bite-size article. So within the next 5 minutes, you will learn how to make up to 12 cups of coffee effortlessly. And yes, you won’t have to calculate a single thing!

Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee: The Golden Ratio

coffee beans to ground coffee ratio

We all have heard of the golden ratio of faces. But did you know that coffee has its own golden ratio too? It’s basically the ratio between the coffee and the water.

As we know, adding too much or too little water or coffee can ruin the taste. Some people are instinctively good at this. They just throw some random amount of coffee into the water and voila! A great cup of coffee is ready.

For us normal folks, we need a bit of help. The Speciality Coffee Association of America (SCAA) created the golden ratio for us folks.

According to them, the ideal ratio between coffee and water is 1:15 to 1:18. This means you need approximately 150ml of water for 8.3g of coffee.

If this seems too complex then don’t bother. We have created a table with different cup numbers and their required ratios in the next part. You will find ground coffee to water ratio, whole bean to ground coffee ratio, and all other ground coffee measurements there. So keep reading if you are interested!

To know more about this, check out tips for making coffee in a percolator.

So How Much Coffee Per Cup?

Exactly how much coffee ground to use per cup? Although it can depend on a multitude of things, there is a basic guideline to follow.

Keep in mind your coffee can taste different depending on the type of coffee beans you use, the brewing method, your coffee machine, and even the type of water for the coffee. So it’s not a linear result.

But as most of us use coffee machines, they require exact ratios and numbers.

Here are all the calculations you need to make any amount of coffee:

Number of Cups	Coffee Ground (grams)	Coffee Ground (tablespoons)	Water(oz)
1	8.3	1.6	6
2	16.6	3.2	12
5	41.5	8	30
6	49.8	9.6	36
8	66.4	12.8	48
10	83	16	60
12	99.6	18.2	72

Need to Make Tons of Coffee? Use a Percolator!

how much ground coffee per cup

If you have guests around and need to make more than a few cups, instead of using your coffee machine, go for a percolator. It’s faster and easier than any other method.

Yes, coffee percolators can seem rather intimidating. trust us, it’s not. They are a very old-fashioned coffee maker that has been around since the 1800s. The best thing is, no matter how much coffee you are making, the method remains the same.

Here’s how you can use ground coffee for a percolator to make coffee in no time:

Open your percolator and fill up the main pot with tap water. Most percolators come with markings inside the pot to help you measure properly.
Either your percolator has built-in filters or you need to use one of your own. Insert the filter at this point. You can also use paper filters to collect maximum sediments.
Add coffee grounds to the filter basket. Use our chart to know exactly how much coffee per cup to use.
Make sure to evenly distribute coffee grounds. We prefer coarsely ground coffee over fine grind as the former provides better taste.
Put the lid on and turn on your percolator. If it’s a stovetop percolator, keep the flame at medium and keep an eye on it until it starts to boil. For an electric percolator, you need 50-60 seconds of brewing time per cup.

And there you have it. Making coffee using a percolator is that easy. You can check out this video to further understand the process.

Our Key Tips for the Perfect Coffee

how many ounces of ground coffee per cup

Making the perfect coffee is not just the water and coffee ratio. It involves a lot of other subtle things as well. Here are some of our tips for that:

Pick the Right Coffee Beans:

There are two types of coffee lovers. One who knows A to Z about coffee beans and the other who grabs whatever is available in the store. We think knowing and trying a few different types of coffee beans helps you to understand what you love and prefer.

For starters, there are two basic types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is used in most coffee shops. It’s a great option with a nuanced flavor profile.

This type of coffee bean does not produce the strongest type of coffee. It does not have that high caffeine content either.

If you are looking for a stronger coffee, we recommend trying Robusta beans. They are more bitter and have a very strong taste.

Looking for some strong coffee options? Check out What is the Strongest Coffee of 2021?

Use a Coffee Grinder:

Do you really need a home coffee grinder? The answer is yes. We do not recommend buying pre-ground coffee.

They not only last only a few months, but the taste also is not very great either. Pre-ground coffee goes stale very quickly. So you end up with a bland-tasting coffee with a watery, thin consistency.

So instead buy unroasted/roasted coffee grounds and grind them each week. This will give you the best kick of flavor and caffeine and don’t forget how amazing freshly ground coffee smells.

If you are looking for a good coffee grinder, check out our Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity coffee grinder review.

Use a Quality Coffee Maker:

As a former instant coffee addict, I can understand why it feels so intimidating to own a coffee maker. Who wants to learn this complicated-looking machine for a cup of coffee? Oh, how wrong I was back then!

The truth is, coffee machines are really easy to operate. Most modern machines nowadays also come with pre-set features like espresso, double shot, and even dairy options like cappuccino or latte.

So all it takes for you is to fill up the water tan and add some coffee grounds to it. Then press a button and your coffee is ready! It’s actually worth every penny for a coffee lover.

Besides, are you even a coffee lover if you don’t have more than one coffee maker?

Check out The Hottest Coffee Makers of 2021 to compare and pick your favorite.

Milk and Its Alternatives:

As more and more people are turning towards plant-based milk options, it’s curious to know which of them works the best with coffee.

Everyone has their preferred milk alternatives. We personally love almond and cashew milk for its sweet, creamy and nutty flavor. If you ask me, I have totally converted to almond milk as it actually tastes better than dairy.

But there are actually tons of different options from soy milk to oat milk. To know more about this, check out our Best Coconut Milk Substitutes.

One thing to keep in mind is, coffee is very acidic. So make sure to add milk first and then the coffee. This way the milk doesn’t curdle up and separate.

If you are looking for a good coffee percolator, check out our best coffee percolator machine review.

Frequently Asked Questions

01. How Much Caffeine is in a Tablespoon of Ground Coffee?

This can not be very specific as different types of coffee beans have different caffeine levels. But on average, a tablespoon of coffee has 7 mg-110 mg of caffeine. This is specifically for Arabica and Robusta beans. There are of course stronger coffee options but we are not talking about them.

02. How Much Ground Coffee per Cup is Needed for French Press?

In general, it’s ideal to use a ratio of 1:15 of coffee to water. This means you should use 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams of water. If you convert it to tablespoons, that would be around 3 tablespoons per cup.

03. How to Measure Ground Coffee for Brewing?

We like to use a tablespoon for coffee grounds. So for each cup of coffee, use 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds. If your coffee is strong, use only a tablespoon. But for lighter beans like Arabica, you can go for 2 tablespoons.

Most standard coffee makers actually mention the amount of coffee you need to add. So it’s not that complex to understand.

04. How Much Ground Coffee is Needed for 12 Cups?

If you are wondering how much ground coffee is for 12 cups, the answer is pretty simple. You will need 18 tablespoons of coffee ground for 12 cups of water.

This will make the perfect coffee every time. But depending on your preference you can add or reduce a few tablespoons here and there.

05. Can You Use Ground Coffee in a Keurig?

Yes, you can use ground coffee in your Keurig coffee maker. But you have to make sure the grind is not too fine and neither too coarse. Keurig is very specific so you have to grind your coffee accordingly.

Takeaway

Now that you know exactly how much ground coffee per cup is needed, you are able to make the perfect coffee each time. And the best part is, our chart helps you to make any amount of coffee with the best ratio.

Which coffee brewing method is your favorite? Do you use a percolator? Let us know in the comments below!

Learn more about:

Do Coffee Grounds Go Bad? Find Out the Truth!

Posted on July 4, 2021September 8, 2022 by John Bird

Even though we do not think about it, coffee grounds have an expiry date too. So is your coffee okay to eat or have they lost their luster? In this article, we will find out the way to tell if the coffee has gone bad and all the tips to store your coffee properly.

If you find this interesting, then keep on reading!

Do Coffee Grounds Go Bad?

All good things eventually come to an end. Your precious coffee beans are no exception.

If you are anything like us, chances are you have at least two extra coffee grounds containers somewhere in the pantry. But how long are they going to last?

What if they go stale before you get a chance to enjoy them?

It turns out, even though it’s a dry ingredient, coffee grounds go bad eventually. They go bad because they give a certain shelf life. No matter how well you try to store them, they will eventually become stale.

Of course, there are a few tricks to keep your coffee fresh for longer. If you are interested, keep on reading!

How to Store Ground Coffee

how long are coffee beans good for

If you want to store ground coffee so it does not go bad within a few months, you need to make sure of a few key things:

Buy coffee beans instead of coffee grounds as beans stay fresh for much longer. Grinding coffee beans is time-consuming. But every time you grind them, the smell of fresh coffee will blow you away. There is nothing quite like it.
Store your coffee grounds in an airtight container, preferably a glass one. This prevents the coffee from getting exposed to oxygen thus keeps it fresh.
Keep your coffee beans and grounds in a dry place. Do not store them in the fridge! You’d be surprised by how many people actually store their coffee in the refrigerator.
Moisture is the biggest enemy for your coffee grounds. So try to keep your coffee moisture-free. This prevents them from going stale.
If your coffee container is really big, transfer some to a smaller container and use that one every day. This way all of your coffee grounds do not get daily air exposure. This keeps the oil inside the coffee intact.

How Long Does Ground Coffee Last

How long your coffee ground lasts depends on how well you have stored them. If you keep your coffee in an average container, it will go stale within a week.

If you keep your coffee grounds in a vacuum-sealed container, it can last years without any issue. Once you open the coffee jar, it needs to be consumed within a few months. Keeping the container in a cool, dry place might help to increase the time.

That’s why we like to store our daily coffee in smaller containers. This keeps the main coffee container intact for longer.

If you grind your own coffee at home, try to finish it within a month as the quality of the coffee is at its peak during this time. After that, the coffee stays good but the taste deteriorates. This happens because the oil inside starts to dry down.

How to Tell if Ground Coffee is Bad

expired coffee grounds 1

There are a few different ways to tell if the coffee ground has gone bad or not. Let us get this out first, always close the lid properly.

We can’t tell you how many times we had to throw away coffee grounds because we forgot to properly close the lid and the coffee turned stale. It’s the worst mistake!

Now that we know what not to do, here’s how you know it’s time to toss out your favorite coffee:

Molds:

Molds occur when moisture gets inside the coffee jar. Do you use your wet spoon to take coffee out of the container? If so, then no wonder your coffee is all moldy and spoiled.

Moisture is basically the enemy of coffee or any other dry ingredients. So when you dip a wet spoon, small water particles stay inside and wet the whole coffee. Over time molds can develop and ruin the whole thing.

Smell:

We all know the smell of good-quality coffee. The smell is very specific and unique.

One of the best ways to know if the coffee is bad is to give it a good sniff. If it smells mellow or dusty, the coffee has probably lost its flavor.

Flavor:

If you can not tell yet, the best way to know if your coffee is good or not is to brew a cuppa for you.

Brew a small cup and check if you see any shade difference. Bad coffee has a lighter brew instead of the classic deep black color. Taste the coffee to see if it’s up to your standard. Stale coffee tastes bland. So you will know instantly.

Coffee Beans vs Coffee Grounds

This is all about what is convenient to you and what you want from your coffee. If you want a quick way to get your daily coffee, coffee grounds is the way to go.

But if you are looking for a way to store a lot of coffee at home, coffee beans are the best choice. All you need is a coffee grinder and a few minutes. It’s super easy to do.

We prefer coffee beans as it’s the only way to get fresh coffee every single day. Ground coffee lacks depth and vibrancy as it loses a lot of flavor and oil through the packaging process.

Coffee beans can last for 1.5 years in a sealed container.

We already know how long coffee grounds last. We think doing the extra work of grinding the coffee at home is so worth it.

Should You Freeze Coffee?

This is actually a very debatable topic in the coffee community. Some coffee lovers swear by this method whereas others are strongly opposed to it.

Some believe freezing coffee grounds helps to retain the natural oil that prevents it from getting stale faster. We don’t freeze our coffee nor do we advise you to do so.

Freezing can add a lot of ice particles to the coffee which can make the coffee go stale. Think about it, we just mentioned moisture is the biggest enemy for coffee grounds.

The refrigerator is all about water and ice. Why would we put out coffee in the freezer then? It does not make sense.

Yes, keeping your coffee grounds in the freezer might help to keep it slightly fresh. But if you keep it for more than a week, it’s going to become a dull, tasteless powder. So, no, you should never freeze your coffee!

Best Containers for Coffee Grounds/Beans

You might think any airtight container is good enough to store coffee. But we would have to disagree. If you want to keep your coffee fresh for a really long time, investing in a good coffee container is worth it.

You need something that can vacuum seal and prevent any air circulation. It should either be stainless steel or solid thick glass.

Simpli-Magic 5 Piece Mason Jars are a great pick as it is both affordable and sturdy with vacuum-sealed technology. You can also use a vacuum sealer to keep your coffee in Ziploc bags. Nutrichef is a classic choice for that.

Frequently Asked Questions

01. How Long are Coffee Beans Good for?

Coffee beans can last for a few weeks after roasting. If you roast them, they can last even longer. Usually, well-roasted coffee beans can last 3-5 months in an airtight container. Storing the coffee beans properly helps to ensure quality over time.

02. Can You Drink Expired Coffee Beans?

You can drink expired coffee beans but it won’t taste good. You are not going to be sick from it but the flavor might be off-putting. It will taste stale and rancid. Unless you are talking about brands that are 3-4 years old, then we recommend not even trying to drink it.

03. When Does Coffee Go Bad?

Coffee tends to deteriorate with time, especially if it’s ground coffee. Ground coffee can go stale after a few weeks of opening the container.

Coffee beans last longer than ground coffee but you need to store it properly. Brewed coffee can go bad after 3-4 hours of making it. That’s why it’s never a good idea to batch-make the whole day’s worth of coffee at once.

04. How Long Does Ground Coffee Last in an Airtight Container?

Ground coffee does not survive oxygen. If you don’t store it properly, it will go bad in a few weeks. To keep it fresh for longer, use an airtight container ideally made of glass. This helps to protect your coffee from going rancid.

A well-stored container of coffee can last up to 5 months without any issues.

05. Is It Bad to Leave Coffee Grounds Out Overnight?

Leaving your coffee grounds out overnight can cause them to go stale faster. The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen raises the pH level in your coffee. This makes your coffee taste more acidic and bitter.

When the pH level increases, the coffee becomes stale. This is why it’s so important to store your coffee in an airtight container.

06. Can Old Coffee Grounds Make You Sick?

An old coffee can not necessarily make you sick unless it has molds and bacteria growing inside. Old coffee is basically stale coffee or a coffee that has lost its kick. Drinking old coffee won’t make you sick but it won’t give you the energy boost you’re looking for either.

07. Do Unopened Coffee Grounds Go Bad?

You can actually store your unopened coffee grounds for a long time. It can last 5-6 months past the expiration date. If you store the container in the freezer, it can stay good for up to 2-3 years.

Unopened coffee beans never “go bad” as it is considered to be a shelf-stable dry food. They might lose the freshness after a few weeks but they won’t go stale for years.

08. What Can I Do with Expired Coffee Beans?

If you have a few containers of stale coffee beans and you don’t feel like just throwing them away, there are a few creative ways to use them.

Firstly, you can even use coffee as a fertilizer in your garden. They are filled with nutrients that help plants grow faster.

Coffee grounds also repel insects and pests so they will protect the plants from being affected. You can grind the coffee beans and add olive oil to make a body scrub from it. They are really good and gentle on your skin.

Coffee beans are great at removing fleas from your pets. As it’s not a chemical, it’s safer to use.

You can also use stale coffee beans to make chocolate-covered coffee beans. They might not taste as good as the fresh ones, but they will taste delicious nonetheless.

In Brief

The worst thing for a coffee lover is to open a container and find stale, bland coffee grounds inside. The great news, however, is that we have mentioned all the tips and tricks to make your coffee last as long as possible.

Was it helpful? What are your tips for the best brew? Comment down below to let us know!

Happy caffeinating!