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Coffee begins to loose its flavour after it is ground, so it is best to grind the beans just before you will brew it. The longer ground coffee sits around exposed to the air the faster it becomes stale. Coffee companies want you to enjoy their coffee at it's best flavour, so they put an expiration date on it. This way you will want to brew it and drink it while it still has it's best flavour. So it is safe to drink, although it might not be at its best. Source(s): midnight Â· 7 years ago.
If taste is your concern, your best bet is to store coffee in an airtight container somewhere cool, dry, and dark. Stored this way, ground coffee can be used for a few months past its expiration date, whole bean for up to nine months, and instant coffee for up to twenty years. You can also store coffee in the freezer, which greatly extends its shelf life (anywhere from one to three years for whole bean and ground coffee, and practically indefinitely for instant).