Freshly brewed coffee is a great way to start your day, but sometimes you get leftover coffee in the pot, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste. How long is brewed coffee good for in the fridge?
Coffee can last up to five days in the fridge if it is covered and stored in an airtight container. Milk can alter the equation. How long is brewed coffee good for in the fridge if it has milk or creamer? You can scroll down to find out.
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Can you store brewed coffee in the fridge?
Before we get to the point, do note that reheating coffee can change its flavor so try to limit your fresh brew to what you can consume.
Coffee lovers do not want bad cold coffee. We want above-average coffee. To enjoy great-tasting coffee, you need to be making a fresh batch of drip coffee every time you want it.
If you end up with more coffee — maybe you invited people over and they didn’t like the cup of coffee you made — then you could store cold coffee in the refrigerator.
How long is brewed coffee good for in the fridge?
The coffee can be kept in the fridge for a couple of weeks. If it is stored in a container it will be safe to drink. Coffee with milk will last for two days in the fridge. Coffee can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 days.
It’s important to heat your coffee up right after it comes out of the refrigerator. This will kill any bacteria and give you a fresh cup of coffee.
It won’t be a great cup of coffee, but it will be safe!
Storing cold-brew coffee
If you store your cold brew coffee in the fridge properly, it can last up to 2 weeks. The coffee will still taste great during that time.
This is slightly different because no oxidation occurs as with hot coffee when it is left to cool down to room temperature. This is what makes your coffee taste stale after 2 weeks.
However, it’s safe to drink as long as it’s in an airtight container and not in a coffee pot.
Storing iced coffee
The shelf life of iced coffee is up until the ice is totally melted.
After the ice melts, iced coffee is still safe to drink. You can also leave it overnight and reheat it the next day.
However, watered-down coffee isn’t good no matter how you slice it.
Coffee left in the fridge can be used to make iced coffee. Before storing iced coffee in the refrigerator, it is best to remove the ice.
Storing espresso coffee
Do not keep espresso in the refrigerator. You should never have leftover espresso so make sure you always make the right amount.
However, you can store espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes in the fridge.
The milk in espresso drinks will spoil after only two days in the refrigerator. This is because milk is a more perishable item and it can cause illness if you accidentally drink rancid coffee.
Milk changes everything
Milk not only changes the flavor of coffee but also the way you store coffee.
Black coffee can last forever. You can probably drink month-old coffee stored properly
It makes sense that milk doesn’t last as long but can still be enjoyed for a day or two if it’s reheated.
It will probably taste fine if it is left cold, but it will be more delicious if it has been heated up again.
If you plan to store coffee in the fridge, make sure it is black coffee and add milk only when it is ready.
What if I don’t want to store coffee in the fridge?
There are alternatives to storing brewed coffee in the refrigerator.
1. Leave it out overnight
You
This is often the preferred choice as it doesn’t take up to much space inside the fridge. You can also
While it may make some baristas cringe, it doesn’t affect the flavor too much.
2. Freeze leftover brewed coffee into ice cubes
You can also freeze your brewed coffee. However, freezing it by the cupful won’t do the flavor any favors.
The best way to freeze coffee is to put it in an ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes. These are delicious by themselves, or you can add coffee ice cubes to make iced coffee.
It is not the most efficient solution, but it can be fun to try.
If you are using instant coffee, it is not worth storing leftovers. It costs only a few pennies so just pour it out when you’re done.
3. Store coffee in a thermos
You can save your leftover coffee by putting it in a thermos bottle. Click To Tweet
Some containers can keep coffee hot for up to 12 hours. You can keep it for later and still enjoy it hot.
Although it won’t taste as good as if it were fresh, it will taste much better than putting it in the fridge and reheating.
Can coffee grounds be stored in the fridge?
Coffee grounds shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator. They can pick up other smells from the fridge if they’re not properly sealed. Surely you don’t want your coffee to taste like onions.
Coffee grounds and coffee beans last longer if they are kept dry. You can store your coffee grounds in an airtight container or a bag with a peg at the top.
Does coffee go bad in the fridge?
Coffee can become stale if it is stored in the fridge. Even cold brew coffee, which is made and stored in the fridge, will start to taste like cheap diner coffee after about two weeks.
But, will it go bad and turn moldy? It will eventually, but if your coffee equipment was clean and sterilized, then your coffee will last for a while before it starts to mold.
It will expire sooner if it was made in a French press that is rinsed after each use and not deep cleaned.
Best tips for storing coffee
1. Store coffee beans in an airtight container
This is the most important step, as coffee beans can be porous and can absorb other smells from your fridge. Even brewed coffee can be affected by this problem. If it’s kept in an open mug, you might find that it has the faintest taste and smell of onion.
Yuck.
Exposure to air circulating constantly can accelerate oxidization, which can lead to coffee degrading quickly. Click To Tweet
2. Allow hot coffee to cool down completely
Do not store hot coffee in the refrigerator. It is bad food hygiene and a total waste of power.
If you place something hot in a refrigerator, the interior temperature will rise. This can cause your fridge to use more power to cool itself down, and the increased temperature can lead to bacteria growth.
It is not a good idea for anything hot to be stored in your fridge, let alone a steaming hot mug of coffee.
3. Keep coffee beans whole
Coffee beans should be stored whole in an airtight container. Do not grind them until you are ready to brew. Ground coffee has a larger surface area than whole beans, which can expose them to oxidation and reduce their shelf life.
Conclusion
All types of coffee drinks taste better when made fresh, no matter what coffee maker you use — French press, pour-over, drip coffee, or espresso.
The whole experience of a cafe is to go through the menu and watch your favorite barista make you a cup of coffee with a fancy grinder.
If you’ve been caught with more coffee than you can drink, now you know how long is brewed coffee good for in the fridge.