How should freeze-dried instant coffee be stored?

How do you store freeze-dried instant coffee?

Use an airtight container and keep it somewhere cool, dark and dry. Heat, light and moisture are the three things that dull instant coffee. The original jar works well if the lid seals tightly; if the pack is a pouch or sachet tub, move the coffee into a jar with a gasket lid once opened.

Should instant coffee go in the fridge or freezer?

No. Fridges and freezers are humid, and each time you open the jar warm kitchen air meets a cold surface and condenses. Freeze-dried granules take up that moisture quickly, so they clump and lose aroma. A kitchen cupboard away from the stove and the kettle is a better spot than the shelf above the cooker.

How long does it last?

There is no single official number. Published guides give very wide ranges: from about one year to many years unopened, and from a couple of months to a few years opened, depending on the brand and the conditions. Use the printed best-before date as your guide for an unopened jar. For an opened jar, the practical rule is to finish it within a few months if you want it to taste its best. Instant coffee that is past its date is usually not unsafe if it has stayed dry, but it tastes flatter.

Habits that keep it fresh

• Close the lid straight after scooping; do not leave the jar open while the kettle boils.
• Use a completely dry spoon. A damp spoon is the most common cause of clumps.
• Do not scoop over a steaming cup.
• Buy the size you will finish: a small jar used up quickly beats a large jar kept for a year.

Signs it has gone bad

Common mistakes

Decanting into a loose-fitting container, keeping the jar next to the cooker, and refrigerating it are the usual ones. If you want to keep a big bulk pack for a long time, split it into small jars so you only open one at a time.