Are you a morning coffee lover with a bunch of expired coffee beans lying around?
Before you think about letting them go to waste, read this article and learn What to do with expired coffee beans.
Can We Use Expired Coffee Grounds For Different Purposes?
Coffee beans are not just for brewing; they can be magical in so many other ways! Imagine turning your old coffee beans into a fresh, fragrant room deodorizer. Yes, that’s right!
Those beans can absorb bad smells and leave your space smelling like a cozy café. Read the next section below to know in how many ways ground coffee can be used.
11 Creative Ways to Use Old Beans Of Coffee and Coffee Grounds
Repurposing old coffee grounds can be an environmentally friendly and resourceful way to make the most of them.
Keep scrolling and find out the best ways to use old coffee beans.
1. Garden Fertilizer
Coffee contains several key elements—nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and chromium—that are beneficial for plant growth.
You can use old coffee bean, just sprinkle the them right onto the soil, and you’ll be giving your garden a big high-five.
Note: Mix the coffee powder with water and use it as a fertilizer. However, coffee is slightly acidic and may harm plants if used in large quantities.
2. Compost It for Later
If you don’t need fertilizer right away, you can compost your coffee grounds to use at a later time.
Composting is a natural way to transform organic materials like food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich substance known as compost or humus.
One study found that compost made with coffee grounds and kitchen waste was richer in nutrients than compost made with waste alone.
3. Home Decor
Coffee beans are often used as a wonderful decorative element in cafes and coffee shops.
They can be placed in a clear jar and showcased on a shelf or table, adding a charming touch to the space.
4. Use It as a Natural Cleaning Scrub
Coffee beans are rough in texture and can assist in eliminating residue on surfaces that are difficult to clean.
If you prefer not to use harsh cleaning agents, using leftover coffee grounds could be a good alternative. Try using them to scrub your sink, shine your pots and pans, or clean your barbecue grill.
5. Neutralize Odors
An option is to put a dish of coffee grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to eliminate smells caused by spoiled or aromatic foods.
Another way is to stuff used socks or pantyhose with coffee grounds and seal them to create on-the-go air fresheners.
Put these in your footwear, gym bag, bedside cabinets, beneath your vehicle seat, or in any other area in need of deodorizing.
Note: Coffee is a great alternative to chemicals that neutralize odors since it contains nitrogen, which helps absorb odors from the air.
6. Natural Dye
If you have accidentally spilled coffee on a white shirt, you are aware of the potential for staining.
By utilizing used coffee grounds and re-wetting them, you can produce a cost-effective, natural dye suitable for dyeing cotton, rayon, cellophane, linen, and paper.
Additionally, coffee grounds can be utilized to dye Easter eggs or enhance the color of dark hair.
7. Tenderize Meat
Muscle fibers and proteins in meat contribute to its firm texture. To make meat more tender, it’s necessary to break down these components, resulting in a more delicate consistency.
To tenderize, the acidity of coffee can also enhance the flavor of the meat. For best results, add used coffee grounds to your preferred dry rub recipe and apply it to the meat at least two hours before cooking.
8. Reduce The Appearance Of Cellulite
It is a skin condition that causes a bumpy and dimpled appearance. Using caffeine, found in coffee grounds, can potentially reduce the appearance of cellulite by breaking down fat and improving blood flow to the affected areas.
To use this method, mix coffee grounds with water or coconut oil and gently exfoliate the areas for 10 minutes twice a week.
9. Scour Your Pots and Pans
Coffee grounds can be abrasive and work well as a natural scrub for cleaning dirty or greasy surfaces, such as pots and pans. They are great for removing grime from plates and getting rid of tough food remnants.
Simply sprinkle the grounds on the cookware and scrub as you normally would. Make sure to thoroughly rinse everything afterward.
10. Exfoliate Your Skin
It can be a great skin exfoliant because the rough particles found in coffee grounds act as a scrubbing agent that assists in eliminating dirt and dead skin cells from the skin.
Just combine some coffee grounds with water or coconut oil and gently massage them onto your face and body.
Alternatively, you can mix coffee grounds with a touch of honey to create a lip scrub for exfoliation.
11. Repel Insects and Pests
Coffee grounds can be utilized to keep bugs at bay because some substances present in coffee, such as caffeine and diterpenes, have the potential to be very harmful to insects.
They are successful in discouraging mosquitos, fruit flies, and beetles, and they could also assist in repelling other unwanted creatures.
To employ coffee grounds as a means of deterring insects and pests, just place bowls of grounds or scatter them around outdoor seating spots.
Tips: Reduce the amount of old coffee beans by only buying as much coffee as you truly need. For an individual drinking 1-2 cups of coffee per day, one bag a week is enough.
Are Coffee Grounds Safe to Consume? Pros & Cons Of Consuming Coffee
Drinking coffee has been linked to a number of health benefits, including a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke and some types of cancer. While it may seem safe to assume that consuming coffee grounds may yield similar benefits, many doctors caution against it.
Coffee beans contain compounds called cafestol and kahweol, which can increase blood cholesterol. These compounds are typically removed by paper filters when coffee is brewed but remain in the grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are most commonly asked questions related to the uses to old coffee beans.
Q1: Can Old coffee beans still be used in a coffee grinder?
A: Yes, you can grind old coffee beans in a coffee grinder to use as an exfoliating scrub for the skin.
Q2: What is a coffee company’s recommendation for managing used coffee beans?
A: Some coffee companies suggest using old coffee beans for non-edible purposes like home deodorizers or as a natural insect repellent.
Q3: Can used coffee be used to add flavor to dishes?
A: Yes, you can use brewed old coffee to enhance the flavor of stews, marinades, or desserts like chocolate cake.
Q4: What is a specialty coffee?
A: Specialty coffee refers to high-quality coffee that is sourced from specific regions, carefully cultivated, and expertly roasted to highlight unique flavors and characteristics.
Q5: How do I brew coffee at home?
A: Brewing coffee at home can be done using various methods such as drip coffee makers, French press, pour-over, espresso machines, and cold brew systems.
Q6: How long does coffee last and can it go bad?
A: Coffee beans can last for several months when stored properly in a cool, dark place, however, loses freshness faster and can start to go bad after a few weeks if exposed to moisture and air.
So, How Would You Like To Utilize Your Old Coffee Beans?
Now you know how to use up those old coffee beans and grounds at home, even for yourself.
Just be careful if you use them in the garden, and don’t let your pets eat them because it can be harmful to them.