Does coffee need to be refrigerated?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “does coffee need to be refrigerated” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not the coffee needs to be refrigerated. Moreover, we are going to discuss the factors responsible for degrading the quality of coffee beans and the tips to store your coffee properly.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Does coffee need to be refrigerated?

Brewed coffee

When it comes to brewed coffee, you should store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or bottle to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time. 

Brewing coffee itself is the oxidation reaction. At the point when the coffee beans come into contact with water, they will start delivering their aromatics, oils, and acids into the water giving you an enriched and flavourful coffee but if the process of oxidation continues even after that it will result in a sharp and bitter flavor and that is not something we want. Therefore it is necessary to keep your coffee refrigerated in the fridge in an air-tight container so that no air will find its way to your brewed coffee.

The coffee, without any additional substance, added to it, lasts for about a week when kept in an air-tight container in the fridge. But it is recommended to use your coffee within 3 days to enjoy its rich flavor and aroma.

Moreover, it is not recommended to leave your brewed coffee for more than 12 hours at room temperature.

Coffee beans

When it comes to coffee beans or ground coffee, it can stay fresh for a long time in an air-tight container in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Therefore it can be kept in a cool and dry corner of your pantry or kitchen cabinet. Therefore the coffee beans and the ground coffee does not need to be refrigerated.

It is essential to store the coffee beans or the ground coffee in an airtight container because when the coffee beans come in contact with the air they are oxidized. This oxidation reaction negatively affects the aroma and the flavor of the coffee.

Coffee beans last for about 6 months if they are properly stored in an air-tight container in a cool, dry, and dark corner of your pantry. This time can vary depending upon the roasting technique, processing, and storage conditions of the coffee beans.

What are the factors that degrade the quality of coffee beans?

Several factors can degrade the quality of the coffee beans, therefore you should handle and store the coffee beans with care.

Oxygen

Oxygen can degrade the quality of the coffee beans quickly, therefore it is recommended to always store your coffee beans in an air-tight container.

Light

Coffee beans can go bad if they come in direct contact with the sunlight. Therefore it is recommended to store your coffee beans in a dark place away from direct sunlight.

Heat

The coffee beans can lose their characteristic flavor and aroma if they are exposed to high temperatures (as the oils and compounds responsible for the flavor and aroma of coffee are volatile).

Moisture

If the coffee beans or the ground coffee come in contact with the moisture, they will lose their flavor and aroma and will ultimately go stale. 

You can read more about it here.

Other FAQs about Coffee which you may be interested in.

Does Coffee Creamer go bad?

Can you reheat the refrigerated coffee?

Yes, you can refrigerate the coffee and reheat it but there will be a notable difference in the flavor and mouthfeel of the coffee. 

Does the caffeine content of the coffee destroy when reheated?

No, reheating coffee does not destroy caffeine. The only difference that it will make is the change in the flavor and freshness of the brewed coffee. Thus you do not have to worry about whether or not the reheated coffee will give you a surge of caffeine or not

How to keep your coffee fresh for a long time?

1. Coffee loses its characteristic taste and aroma when it comes in contact with the air owing to the oxidation reaction. Therefore to seal the freshness of coffee for quite a long we recommend you to store it in air-tight containers.
2. If you want to make your coffee last longer in the fridge then it is advised to store it in the fridge as soon as you brew it to preserve its flavor and aroma.
3.  In the case of the coffee beans or the ground coffee, it is recommended to store it in an air-tight container in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. Thus it is best to store your coffee beans or ground coffee in a cool and dry corner of your pantry.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “does coffee need to be refrigerated” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not the coffee needs to be refrigerated. Moreover, we discussed the factors responsible for degrading the quality of coffee beans and the tips to store your coffee properly.

Citations

https://foodsguy.com/refrigerate-coffee/