How Long Food Lasts

Beverages

How long does coffee last?

Quick answer

Coffee (whole beans, opened) keeps 3-4 months in the fridge.

  • Whole beans, opened 3-4 months in the fridge
  • Commercial ground, non-vacuum, opened 1 month in the fridge
Form

Fridge

After opening

3-4months

Freezer

No known time

-

Pantry

3-5months

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long does coffee last in the fridge?

  • Whole beans, opened3-4 monthsAfter opening
  • Commercial ground, non-vacuum, opened1 monthAfter opening

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

How long does coffee last in the freezer?

  • Home ground, non-vacuum1-2 years
  • Commercial ground, non-vacuum6-12 months
  • General guidance6-12 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Your freezer should be around -18°C

A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

Can you freeze coffee?

Yes.

How to defrost coffee safely

  1. In the fridge
  2. In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
  3. In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
  4. Cook it from frozen

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

Can you refreeze coffee?

  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
  • In the United StatesYes

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

Can coffee be kept out of the fridge?

  • Whole beans3-5 months
  • Whole beans, opened3-5 months
  • Home ground, non-vacuum3-5 months
  • Home ground, non-vacuum, opened3-5 weeks
  • Instant1 year
  • Instant, opened2-3 months
  • Commercial ground, non-vacuum2 years
  • Commercial ground, non-vacuum, opened2 weeks
  • General guidance2 years

All forms at a glance

FormFridgeFreezerPantry
Whole beans--3-5 months
Whole beans, opened3-4 months-3-5 months
Home ground, non-vacuum-1-2 years3-5 months
Home ground, non-vacuum, opened--3-5 weeks
Instant--1 year
Instant, opened--2-3 months
Commercial ground, non-vacuum-6-12 months2 years
Commercial ground, non-vacuum, opened1 month-2 weeks
General guidance-6-12 months2 years
General guidance, opened---

What the official sources say

“Coffee, whole beans 3-5 months 3-4 months * 3-5 months *”

“Coffee (cans) – unopened – opened (pantry) – opened (refrigerated) – frozen 2 years 2 weeks 1 month 6 to 12 months”

“Coffee, cans, unopened 2 years”

“Coffee (unopened) 2 years”

Frequently asked questions

How long does coffee last in the fridge?

Whole beans, opened: 3-4 months; Commercial ground, non-vacuum, opened: 1 month.

How long does coffee last in the freezer?

Home ground, non-vacuum: 1-2 years; Commercial ground, non-vacuum: 6-12 months; General guidance: 6-12 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze coffee?

Yes.

Can you refreeze coffee?

In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.

Related foods

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.