Knowing how to store coffee for the long-term will be of tremendous help in various situations, particularly when shit hits the fan. Coffee is unarguably among the five most popular beverages globally: a stat I assume you also have estimated due to the overwhelming number of joints selling this black gold on every street. Or the large varieties available at the local store.
I am keen on coffee, as I assume most Americans are too. Before the health revolutions, coffee used to be the go-to drink & it still is. It remains difficult to see a drink that’ll keep you that alert, plus how about the amazing taste?
If you’re anything like me, it is necessary to have a backup supply when a disaster hits home. At first, this may seem dumb given that coffee would most likely be a low-priority essential when SHTF, and it should be.
However, have you Considered These 2 Reasons to Store Coffee for the Long-term?
Health
Wise coffee consumption is associated with specific health benefits, but that’s not even the case here. You should be aware of the consequences of sudden & instant withdrawal from caffeine on heavy drinkers. A person who relies heavily on coffee will suffer terrible health issues if his supply is suddenly cut off. Extreme irritability & blinding headaches are typical symptoms of this — and these are far from ideal in an already uncomfortable scenario.
Bartering
Considering that coffee is a social drink that also keeps you alert, it is easy to see why many people will need it when the poop hits the fan. Put in mind that many minds would want to be vigilant in the middle of a disaster, and most cannot do so without caffeine.
A clear state of mind is, after all, one of the requirements to survive a catastrophe. We have not even considered the caffeine addicts whose supply is cut off & may be going through improper withdrawal symptoms. Trust me when I tell you that coffee will be widely demanded as soon as the aftereffects of a disaster settle.
AND—some just would want to taste coffee to have a feel of the times when things were normal & orderly.
Looking at How to Store Coffee for The Long-term
There are three coffee types for storage, and they are:
- whole beans;
- ground; &
- freeze-dried.
Like most other foods, moisture remains the core enemy of coffee, while air, light & temperature are also decisive. When coffee is unprotected against these elements, it starts to go bad, losing effectiveness & taste. We’ll look at the ways to handle storage problems below.
Whole Beans
Estimated Shelf Life: 2 years (Maximum) Frozen
Whole beans storage is ideal for you if you’re chiefly concerned with the taste, freshness & texture of your coffee. Ground coffee beans lose their freshness much faster than whole beans. When you store whole beans properly, it can stay good for a lot of months, extending to a year or even more (as long as it’s kept frozen). You have the option to choose between whole roasted beans or whole unroasted (green) beans.
Whole coffee beans are good enough for long-term coffee storage. They are available at many local stores, although you should note that many foods packaged in local stores may not be ideal for long-term storage. Examine the packaging of the food & if the seal is not airtight, transfer the beans to a natural container (like a glass) with the right light. The glass should be dark such that light cannot easily pass through, as the beans can be affected.
When you’re done with the sealing, the beans have to be stored in a dark, cool & dry area. This means that they should be hidden in your pantry or cabinet instead of having them on the kitchen counter. When stored this way, your beans should be good for months.
However, if they are kept in an airtight jar & frozen, they can do well for two good years. Keep in mind that coffee absorbs surrounding smells easily — so you may have to avoid storing onions & other foul-smelling foods in the same compartment the beans are kept.
Note that you’ll need a good coffee grinder for grinding whenever you’re ready for a Joe cup.
Ground Coffee
Estimated Shelf Life: 2 Years Frozen
If you’re low on cash & don’t care much about the taste, buying already packaged ground coffee would be the best option for you. Ordinarily, if you’re going by the expiration dates on the package, ground coffee is expected to last longer than whole beans, and it does. What’s striking is that ground coffee can remain good for months after its expiration date, especially if it’s frozen. Remember to seal the storage container before freezing it.
I have experimented with three expired cans of coffee kept in my pantry. The first was past its date by one month & its taste was relatively okay. The second was three months gone and had a noticeable difference in taste, but I could tolerate it. The third was six months gone & it was so, so horrible.
Do note that these cans’ freshness & timeframe can vary due to varying brands & storage containers.
Freeze Dried Coffee
Estimated Shelf Life: 30 Years Unopened
Look no further if your preference is something with a long shelf life. This type of coffee will last up to 30 years. This means you can stockpile this coffee type in anticipation of decades to come. I would easily recommend this if you are not very keen on the taste. But if you are, well, you may prefer the whole.
Final Lines on How to Store Coffee for the Long-term
Now that you know how to store coffee for the long-term, I assume you’ll be storing some. There are good reasons to. Bartering is especially an excellent one. Let’s hear from you: what do you think of storing coffee for the long-term?