Coffee will keep flavour 'for three weeks' if stored in correct place — not the freezer

It's the most popular drink on earth, with an estimated two billion cups drunk daily. And in recent years, the popularity of specialist coffees and coffee shops has exploded across the UK, USA and other countries. 

Millions are signed up to coffee subscriptions in order to get the best coffee they can at home, with many also having their own machine or aeropress at home as they search for the special combination that will deliver that perfect-tasting cup.

Now, major coffee maker Folgers has given its verdict on the best way to store coffee to ensure its flavour is at optimum levels for longest. And, spoiler alert, it's not the freezer (though there are circumstances when storing coffee in the freezer is acceptable, coffee makers say).

With coffee being such an important part of many people's days — from the pick-me-up boosts in the morning and early afternoon to the gut health benefits to the many different types of flavours, textures and combinations — it's important to get it right and to avoid any methods that make your coffee taste anything less than its best.

Is coffee good for you?

The short answer is yes. Coffee comes with many health benefits. Firstly, it can improve the diversity of your gut microbiome, the community of trillions of microbes in your gut that scientists increasingly believe is one of the most fundamental pillars of your overall health. A study by Zoe, the science and nutrition firm co-founded by Professor Tim Spector, found that coffee drinkers tended to have more diversity in their microbiomes. It also contains polyphenols, the healthy chemicals that come from plants.

There has also been research to show that it may reduce your risk of cancer, slow down cognitive decline, lower your chances of getting Alzheimer's disease and protect against type 2 diabetes. However, more research is needed to be sure of all these potential benefits.

The best way to store coffee

Major coffee company Folgers told allrecipes.com that the best way to ensure your coffee beans, ground beans or instant coffee are at their best is to store them “in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed.”

“Properly storing coffee is one of the best ways to preserve its flavor and ensure that you’re getting a high-quality cup of coffee with each and every brew,” said Kyle Hess, a corporate communications spokesperson for The JM Smucker Co, which owns Folgers. He added that properly stored coffee grounds should retain their optimal flavour for “about 3 weeks” after they are opened.

Should you store coffee in the fridge or freezer?

It's likely you will have heard someone say that the best place to store coffee is in the fridge or freezer because this method keps them fresher for longer. But that's not what Folgers says.

“We do not recommend refrigerating or freezing coffee as this can result in flavor loss,” Hess said.

Coffee absorbs moisture so in a fridge or freezer it can prematurely absorb the moisture, which can dull the coffee’s flavour. It can also absorb smells and flavours from the other items being stored there.

Scott McMartin, director at specialist coffee firm Nomi Brew and a former director at Starbucks, gives similar advice. He told Real Simple that when you freeze the coffee you use every day the fluctuating temperatures create moisture in the packet, which can dull the taste.

"The cell structure changes, which causes a loss of the oils that give coffee its aroma and flavour," said McMartin. However, he said that you can freeze it in its unopened original packaging. Stored this way, ground coffee could last up to around a year, though it would still be best used within a month or two.