If you’re one of the many people who likes to begin their day with a good cup of coffee, you already know that there are seemingly endless varieties and brewing methods to choose from.
Of all the available options, instant and freeze-dried coffee remain popular choices around the world. In fact, it’s estimated that more than half the coffee consumed in some countries is of the instant variety.1 Instant coffee offers a convenient, quick, and cost-effective way to brew your morning cup of joe, with an extended shelf life to boot.
Enter freeze-dried coffee: a particularly well-loved variety of instant coffee that retains its aroma and flavor better than other types of instant coffee, and boasts a longer shelf life. But to get the most quality and longevity out of your freeze-dried coffee, it’s important to store it properly.
Here, we’ll walk through the best practices for storing freeze-dried coffee and answer the question: when preserved in the proper way, how long does freeze dried coffee last?
What is Freeze-Dried Coffee?
In simple terms, instant coffee is dried coffee extract. It’s created by freshly brewing coffee and removing the water by various means. Freeze-dried coffee is instant coffee that employs freeze-drying to extract the moisture.
The freeze-drying process entails freezing the coffee extract and cutting it into small fragments, which are dried at a low temperature in a vacuum. This preserves the quality, aroma, and flavor of the coffee, while reducing the moisture content. To make a cup of freeze-dried coffee, you simply combine the powder with hot water and any sweeteners and/or creamers you like.
Once brewed, a cup of freeze-dried coffee is very similar to a freshly brewed cup, both in terms of taste and health benefits. Like other varieties of coffee, freeze-dried coffee is rich in antioxidants, and may even be more so, due to the way it’s processed.2
Factors Influencing the Shelf Life of Freeze-Dried Coffee
Many elements affect the longevity of your freeze-dried coffee, including packaging quality, storage conditions, and exposure to air and moisture. By optimizing your storage conditions, you can preserve the quality of your freeze-dried coffee for many years.
Packaging Quality
It’s crucial to ensure that your freeze-dried coffee container is airtight. Packaging should be vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed to prevent oxidation and excess moisture.
Storage Conditions
Store your freeze-dried coffee in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. This will help protect the product’s quality over time.
Exposure to Air and Moisture
Exposure to moisture and air can lead to spoilage and degradation of your freeze-dried coffee. Not only will the product lose flavor, it may become unusable. Using airtight containers and storing coffee in cool, dry conditions can prevent this.
Typical Shelf Life of Freeze-Dried Coffee
While some types of instant coffee only have a shelf life of 1–2 years, freeze-dried coffee can retain its optimal flavor and aroma for over a decade under proper storage conditions.1
Since properly stored freeze-dried coffee has a very low moisture content, it’s difficult for pathogens like mold and bacteria to take hold and multiply there. And while even opened freeze-dried coffee can stay fresh for a year or two, storing it properly will increase its shelf-life to the fullest extent.
Signs of Degradation in Freeze-Dried Coffee
Certain indicators can help to identify if your freeze-dried coffee has deteriorated beyond the point of usability.
These signs include:
- Loss of aroma
- Stale taste
- Changes in color and texture
If you notice these signs, it is best to replace your freeze-dried coffee, as it’s likely spoiled.
Best Practices for Storing Freeze-Dried Coffee
There are easy, actionable steps you can take to maximize the shelf life of your freeze-dried coffee and prevent its quality from degrading over time, primarily:
- Using airtight storage containers once the original packaging has been opened
- Minimizing exposure to air and moisture to prevent spoilage
- Maintaining a cool, dry storage environment overall
These simple tips will ensure that your coffee is usable and enjoyable for years.
Explore ReadyWise's Freeze-Dried Coffee Options
When stored properly, freeze-dried coffee has a shelf life of up to 15 years. To ensure its full flavor and quality over time, it’s important to follow the best storage practices outlined above and inspect your coffee for any indications of spoilage or degradation upon use.
Coffee is essential to many people’s daily routines and diets, and using the freeze-dried instant variety can be a convenient, delicious option. Not only does freeze-dried coffee make an excellent addition to your camping pantry or emergency food stores, it can also be used as an everyday staple.
ReadyWise offers a selection of freeze-dried coffee products designed for long-term storage and quality, wherever and whenever you plan to use them. Explore these offerings to discover the best fit for your particular needs, and enjoy this easy, fast, and cost-effective coffee brewing method!
Sources:
- Healthline. Instant Coffee: Good or Bad? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/instant-coffee-good-or-bad#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
- Pubmed. Bioactive composition and antioxidant potential of different commonly consumed coffee brews affected by their preparation technique and milk addition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23442632/
- Tasting Table. How Long You Can Store Instant Coffee Before It Goes Bad https://www.tastingtable.com/1540263/how-long-store-instant-coffee/
