Here are a few basic steps you can take to get the best Folgers® coffee flavor.

Brewing

  • When brewing, use cold, fresh water. Hot water can cause poor flavor. Bottled water should be used if unusual flavors are present in your tap water.
  • Always allow the coffee machine to complete its brew cycle before drinking the coffee to ensure coffee is as close as possible to the desired strength. The first coffee to pass through the filter is the most concentrated, and the coffee at the end of the brew is more diluted.
  • Drink your coffee right after brewing it (just be sure it's not so hot that it burns your mouth), because when coffee sits, it gets stale and bitter.
  • Coffee should not be left on the burner for more than 15 minutes. After this time, store any leftover brewed coffee in an airtight insulated container or carafe.

Recycling

  • Leftover coffee should not be reheated. It will not taste the same.
  • Never reuse coffee filters. They absorb the leftover stale flavors and they tear, which allows grounds to pass through into your coffee.
  • Never reuse coffee grounds. The best coffee flavors are extracted the first time they pass through the filter.

Coffee Machine Care

  • Clean your machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Over time, deposits can build up inside coffee machines and can cause undesirable flavors.
  • Rinse both the brew basket and the carafe with warm water immediately after every use. This minimizes the coffee residue that can cause poor flavor.

Storing Perfection

Properly storing your Folgers coffee also will help you preserve the best flavor. We recommend storing Folgers ground coffee in the refrigerator with the lid tightly closed. You can store Folgers Instant coffee in the refrigerator or at room temperature, but the lid should be tightly closed. Whole Bean coffee should be kept in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator, or at room temperature.

Check out this table for more storage guidelines and timelines:

   Unopened  Opened (Room Temperature) Opened (Refrigerated) Opened (Airtight Container in Freezer)
Folgers Ground Refer to Best-Buy Date One to Three Weeks Up to One Month Not Recommended
Folgers Decaf Refer to Best-Buy Date One to Three Weeks Up to One Month Not Recommended
Folgers Whole Bean Refer to Best-Buy Date One to Three Weeks Up to One Month Six to 12 Months
Folgers Instant Coffee Crystals Refer to Best-Buy Date Up to One Month Up to One Month Not Recommended
Folgers Coffee Singles Refer to Best-Buy Date Up to One Year Up to One Year Not Recommended

Measuring Perfection

If you’re brewing coffee for a family reunion or just a small gathering, use our coffee calculator to figure out how much water and Folgers coffee you need. Just enter how many cups you want to brew, and we’ll tell you the rest.

How many cups of coffee would you like to brew?
Serving size: 6 fluid ounces. Measure water using a standard liquid measuring cup.
The Perfect Tip

Use coffee grounds as plant food! Dilute your leftover coffee grounds to make your very own homemade plant food. To make, mix one part leftover coffee grounds with four parts cool water and water your plants once every other week.