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How Long Does Coffee Stay Fresh?

All Things Brewing

4 mins read

Freshness is one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of brewing delicious coffee. You’ve probably heard things like “fresh is best” or “always check the roast date”, but what does that really mean?

Let’s break it down. In this guide, we’ll cover how long coffee stays fresh, how to store it properly at home, and how Haven helps you get the best out of every bag.

What Does “Fresh Coffee” Actually Mean

Unlike wine or cheese, coffee doesn’t improve with age. The moment it’s roasted, it starts to change.

During roasting, carbon dioxide builds up and becomes trapped inside the coffee bean’s structure. As soon as the roast is finished, the beans begin to release that gas — a process called degassing. That’s why freshly roasted coffee smells so good.

Over time, as gas escapes and flavour compounds are exposed to oxygen, the coffee gradually loses its vibrancy.

Fresh coffee means coffee that’s still full of flavour, aroma, and complexity — not too young (over-gassy), not too old (flat or papery).

How Long Does Coffee Stay Fresh?

It depends on the type of coffee and how you brew it, but here’s a general guide:

Brew Method

Ideal Use Window After Roast

Filter (e.g. V60)

Day 7–30

Espresso

Day 4–28

Why the difference? Espresso needs more time to degas properly for even extraction. Filter brews are a bit more forgiving, and often taste vibrant earlier.

🗓️ At Haven, we print the roast date on the back of every bag, so you know exactly when your coffee was roasted — no guesswork.

Whole Beans vs Ground Coffee

Want your coffee to stay fresh longer? Keep it whole.

Once coffee is ground, it loses flavour fast — like, within minutes. That’s because more surface area means more exposure to air (aka oxidation).

Whole beans can stay vibrant for 3–4 weeks after roast

Ground coffee starts going stale within hours, especially without airtight storage

If you’re serious about flavour, invest in a good grinder and grind your coffee just before brewing.

How to Store Coffee at Home

Coffee hates four things: light, heat, moisture, and oxygen.

Here’s how to keep your beans tasting their best:

✅ Store in a cool, dry place (not next to the oven)

✅ Keep them in an airtight container (we recommend bags with one-way valves or jars with tight seals)

✅ Avoid frequent opening and resealing — use smaller containers if needed

❌ Don’t store your coffee in the fridge (too much moisture, too many smells)

✅ Freezing is okay — but only if done properly:

Freeze whole beans in a sealed bag or container

Only defrost once (don’t re-freeze)

Let them reach room temp before opening the bag to prevent condensation

How We Do It at Haven

We’re big believers in roasting fresh and drinking fresh — and making it easy for you to do the same.

Here’s what we do to help:

Roast Date on Every Bag – Clearly printed on the back so you always know when your coffee was roasted

One-Way Valve + Zipper Seal – Every retail bag includes a one-way degassing valve and a resealable zipper. So if you don’t want to invest in a separate storage container, that’s totally fine — just make sure the zipper is sealed tightly each time you open it

Small Batch Roasting – We roast frequently and rotate often — no overstock sitting around

Single Origin Rotation – For espresso lovers who want to try something new regularly

Filter = Single Origin Always – Our filter coffees are always single origin, roasted to showcase clarity and complexity

Consistent Compass Blend – A fresh, dependable option if you want something familiar and consistent for milk drinks

We don’t believe in “best before” dates — just best by how it tastes.

TL;DR — Your Freshness Checklist

✅ Use espresso between 7–30 days post-roast

✅ Use filter coffee between 4–28 days

✅ Grind fresh — don’t pre-grind unless absolutely necessary

✅ Store in a cool, airtight place

✅ Freeze whole beans if you need to store them longer

✅ Look for roast dates — not expiry dates

Final Thoughts

Fresh coffee doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does take a little care.

At Haven, we roast with intention, label with clarity, and support you with recipes and advice to help you get the most out of every cup.

If you ever have a question about how to store your coffee, what’s in season, or what’s tasting best right now — drop by one of our stores or send us a message. We’re always happy to chat.

👉 Coming Next: What’s the Best Grind Size for Your Brew Method?