Download Can Coffee Beans Go Bad
PNG. I always store whole beans in airtight containers, and only grind what i need, and immediately before pouring the water (i use a french press). Do coffee beans go bad?
While coffee seems practically indestructible with those long safe use dates the story doesn't end there.
Old coffee beans will look the same as fresh ones. Time alone won't make beans go bad, per se, but they certainly won't taste the same. Ground coffee is less likely to go rancid than beans because the oil is dispersed across the surface of the grind, rather than being encapsulated inside the bean. You can typically tell if the coffee has gone bad by the rancid smell it will give off or if you spot mold.