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Coffee for storage

I know some of you have to be coffee drinkers, and plan on having a stash.

If you look on labels the shelf life isn't that long of a period, but we all know the exp date on the container doesn't mean much as far as actual shelf life.

Plastic containers can absorb air thru the plastic over time, and some metal cans have plastic liners instead of a metal top that you have to use a can opener to get off, so air can get thru that over time. Plus cans can rust.

In the last year, I opened a pack of vacuum coffee that was going on 14 years old. This was cheap coffee when I bought it, and had a strong flavor then. After 14 years, the taste seemed a little stronger, but didn't notice a big difference.

I had another cheap brand (falls river) that was right at 18 years old, and was wondering about it. I had just opened a large can of Folgers, so I gave it to my boss who is an old navy guy.

He said it tasted like coffee and was good to drink.

So now I have stocked up on vacuum packed coffee. Well, at least enough to last 4-5 years.

I plan on buying more for use in the coming years when prices are a LOT higher, plus some for bartering if things get rough.

Coffee and Spam. It's great that two of the things that are a part of my supplies, have a fantastic shelf life.

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 4, 2012 at 17:29

Thats great news, Ron. I'm wondering that those among us that have a vacuum pack machine, could vacuum pack our own? We could buy our favorite brand and then vacuum pack it.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 4, 2012 at 21:59

Good information Ron, I am a big coffee drinker(I should cut down but heck) and I always wondered about those vacuum packs. Right now I buy most coffee from the "whatever is on sale and is big" aisle at my local Wall-Mart. It varies from strong roast to medium roast most times. But with that plastic container there is no way that would last for any great length of time.

I will have to search out the ones in vacuum bags. Kind of test that out. It sounds like a good idea though and could be barter down the road.

Permalink Reply by Ron James on July 4, 2012 at 23:02

I like medium roast, tho the old stuff was rather strong when new.

I tried a vacuum bag sealer years ago for different types of food, and couldn't keep a good seal on most of it. It may have been what I was trying to seal which caused bad seals.

And at the time, a roll of material to make "bags" was like $35 a roll. I finally gave it away and went to canning jars with O2 absorbers. That and 5 gallon buckets.

If things get as bad as some say, we who have prepared, will be living like rich folks.

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on August 12, 2012 at 14:56

Hand crank coffee grinder, does miracles for aged coffee.....I have electric one i use for re-grinding new coffee...plus the old antique one on the shelf for the emergency use

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 12, 2012 at 15:02

I agree Sue, even older coffee will freshen up slightly when reground. I buy espresso grind (OK I like it strong) in the vacuum packs. When I find them on sale..I wrap it in foil and put it in a good ziplock. I know for up to 6 months they taste the exact same but I dont have any 14 years old :)

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 12, 2012 at 15:57

Whole bean .. 5~10 lbs @ a crack .. grind it when you need it !!!

We LIKE our caffeine.

We also like ours DARK & STRONG.

The coffee press greatly reduces the acidity.

Just an added note .. it's shipped & stored in breathable bags. Keep it cold & it lasts a looooong time !!!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 12, 2012 at 19:51

Storage Conditions. Beans in normal polyethylene (food-grade) bags have a shelf life of 1 year or more. Like most stored foods, colder storage temperatures will increase shelf life. When packaged in #10 cans or Mylar-type bags, with the oxygen removed, they have a shelf life of 10 or more years¹. A ¹B.Y.U. study indicated that pinto beans did experience a slight loss of quality during storage. However, samples that had been stored up to 30 years had greater than 80% acceptance by a consumer taste panel for emergency food use. The study concluded that pinto beans should be considered acceptable for use in long-term food storage efforts.

Beans are beans .. so it appears that ... airtight & cool ... is the best method .. that I can find.

Permalink Reply by Ron James on August 12, 2012 at 20:10

Speaking of beans.. why do some never get soft. I have used some I have stored, plus some I bought in long term storage cans. Pintos, navy, quick cook and the like. They never got soft enough to eat. Tho a starving person would find them edible.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on August 12, 2012 at 20:27

Use from storage. All dried beans, except lentils and split peas, require soaking in water for rehydration. Typically, 3 cups of water is needed for every 1 cup of dried beans. Allow beans to soak overnight and then rinse them in clean water. To cook beans, cover rehydrated beans with water in a stock pot. Simmer for 2-4 hours until beans are tender. Once tender they can be spiced and used in cooking recipes. As dried beans age the seeds become harder. This results in longer rehydration and cooking times. At some point, the seeds will no longer rehydrate and in that case must be ground as bean flour. One study found that small amounts of baking soda can help soften beans during soaking. Note: There is a quick soak method that boils dry beans for 1 minute then leaves them soak for several hours as they cool. This method is not recommended due to the potential of foodborne illness bacterial spores growing. The heat activates the spores and the warm temperatures during cooling favors their growth.

same article .. scroll down to indicated section .. attached above

NOTE: there's a lot of "hype" out there .. I've found the most informative articles @ the ".edu" sites.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on August 12, 2012 at 21:02

Great idea Dale whole bean and grind em! I like that.

D ale said:

Whole bean .. 5~10 lbs @ a crack .. grind it when you need it !!!

We LIKE our caffeine.

We also like ours DARK & STRONG.

The coffee press greatly reduces the acidity.

Just an added note .. it's shipped & stored in breathable bags. Keep it cold & it lasts a looooong time !!!

Permalink Reply by David Noe on October 14, 2012 at 23:28

Yeah I get a can of Spam about every other trip to the store and Tuna in water also and a little mix of other stuff. Just recently became a coffee drinker so I may have to stock up on it also....Gave up cokes after years of drinking those and mostly drink water now.

Permalink Reply by David Noe on October 14, 2012 at 23:37

I was wondering about Vacuum packing all my beans and such with my vacuum machine. Would that give me a greater shelf life? What about adding desecant packs in there?