How long instant coffee

How long does opened instant coffee last at room temperature? Properly stored, an opened package of instant coffee will generally stay at best quality for about 12 to 18 months at room temperature.

Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the coffee's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, the opened instant coffee will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage see below.

So, does Instant coffee expire? Over the following sections, we will take a closer look into the average shelf life of your instant coffee. So, if caffeine drives you through the day, here is everything you need to know. We discussed the manufacturing process of instant coffee in our previous article.

We learned that instant coffee is actually the crystals or powders dehydrated either by hot air or freeze-dried method. According to USDA, instant coffee is categorized as shelf-stable food. That means they can last for decades if they are stored properly.

Even though the taste may not be as fresh or tasty, it is still safe to consume the drink. Note: We tested and reviewed dozens of instant coffee brands, most of the best instant coffees we picked in our review use the freeze-dried method. Essentially, they indicate the quality of your coffee instead of the safety. You can apply the same thing to 3-in-1 coffee mixes that come with additives and milk-based substances.

Typically, your instant coffee can last around twenty years on your shelf. As previously discussed, most foods under the free-dried category are shelf-stable. According to USDA [ 1 ]:. This is particularly odd because even the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service acknowledges that federal law requires food dating only for infant formula.

They even point out that "if the [best by] date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident" via USDA. This is particularly true for foods that aren't generally regarded as perishable such as dried fruits, canned fish, and jerky. The shelf life of instant coffee can be from 2 to 20 years. When you properly store your instant coffee, even your opened jars of instant coffee can last for more than 20 years.

You can store instant coffee either in your pantry or in the refrigerator but the place should be devoid of moisture. When your instant coffee comes in contact with moisture, its shelf life takes a hit so it is important to pay attention to the storing condition of your instant coffee. When it comes to regular coffee grounds, storage is one of the most important aspects. Just simple rules will save your instant coffee. Do you know that instant coffee is packaged in a low-oxygen environment?

This is because oxygen can cause oxidation which can deteriorate the overall quality of the coffee. Oxidation is not only a problem for brewed coffee but also for packed coffee. But if you have opened your coffee packet or jar, then you should be careful not to let too much air in.

So the first thing to do with instant coffee is to store it in an airtight container. If you bought an instant coffee jar, then the jar should be fine. But if you bought instant coffee packets that will come in handy for more than a few uses, then you have to transfer the coffee powder or granules to an airtight container. Do keep in mind that once you open your instant coffee jar or packet, air will go in. It is impossible to prevent that, but you can avoid overexposure to air by storing your coffee in an airtight container.

This is one of the main reasons why your opened instant coffee might become stale over a period of time. When you expose fresh coffee to direct sunlight, the chances of oxidation increase. This is true to instant coffee powder as well as instant coffee granules.

So it is a good idea to store your coffee in a cool place away from direct sunlight. If you storing your coffee in your fridge, then there is nothing to worry about.