[Jean‏]

I have two unopened bags of whole coffee beans from 2023 that I no longer plan to drink. I’d hate to waste them, so I’m wondering if they can be used in the garden in any beneficial way.

I know used coffee grounds are often added to compost or used as fertilizer, but since these are whole beans, I’m not sure if the same rules apply. Should I grind the beans before using them?

Do they need to be brewed or cooked first to be useful for plants or compost? Or can I just crush or scatter them directly into the soil?

Any tips on how to get the most gardening value out of old coffee beans would be greatly appreciated—especially if you’ve tried it yourself and seen results.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Rich]

Whole coffee beans are good for about 3 to 6 years past the misleading best of sold by date.

Grind it all and brew it all and report back here with review of the coffee.

[Rich]

(I’m a dumpster diver)
Last month I found 18 sealed packages of star bucks whole bean coffee. Most of the “best if sold by” dates were from 2023.

I have 9 to a friend and another 9 to another friend. Both said it’s the best coffee they ever had.

[Marsha]

If you don’t want to eat them, use them as filler in the bottom of dough bowls etc. for decoration.

[Emily]

If anything it’s just the caffeine content and flavor will be reduced but unless they are moldy or something I would still use

[Patti]

I would still use them for coffee, but I do have a question. What about flavored coffee beans? Like hazelnut or girl scout cookie flavor?

I think they use oils to flavor the beans. Could the oils go bad?

[Kirsten]

Old coffee beans go in the bottom of my garbage can under the bag. It keeps the plastic from smelling!

[Lori]

You have to grind them and make coffee with the beans than you can use for your garden, you can only use coffee grinds that has been used

[Deb]

That’s the purpose of dried food. It lasts much longer. Use the coffee

[Author]

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