How long does coffee stay good in the fridge? (3 things to know)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, ‘How long does coffee stay good in the fridge?’. We will discuss the reasons that make brewed coffee spoil. We then explore how we can enable our coffee drink and grains to retain their quality for an optimum period.
How long does coffee stay good in the fridge?
Coffee can be stored in the fridge if it doesn’t consume immediately. Keeping coffee drinks in the fridge is convenient. Even though like other foods, there is a limit to how long it can last.
Prepared and ground coffee, both can keep in the fridge. Doing so can hinder bacterial growth and prolongs the shelf-life.
Before you store the coffee in the fridge remember to;
Cool your hot brew to room temperature.
Also, reheating is not recommended for stored coffee as most of the flavor and aroma is lost.
Coffee beans should not be left exposed in or out of the fridge for any length of time.
If the coffee grounds or beans are left uncovered, they age faster and lose their freshness and taste. The coffee condensates and flavorful oils escape from the coffee beans or grounds.
When you refrigerate it, be sure to put it in an air-tight container and consume it within a week. Putting it in an air-tight container helps to keep harmful microorganisms away. Also, the odors and flavors from other foods in the fridge will not contaminate the coffee.
Coffee grounds can be left in the fridge for up to five months while coffee beans last for up to two years in the fridge. The Coffee grounds have a shorter life because they are more prone to oxidation.
How long does brewed coffee last in the fridge?
Depending on how you make and store your iced Brew, it can sometimes last for a day. This holds especially true for people who tend to be picky when it comes to their coffee drinks. However, people find a week-old coffee to be an acceptable option.
When a coffee drink is stored, it tends to lose its aroma and flavor. The stored coffee beverage may still be palatable but, it can not taste the same as a fresh coffee drink.
Hot-Brew versus cold-brew
In the fridge, Hot-brewed Coffee will be good for 3 to 4 days. If you intend to consume them in two weeks, it is better to freeze them in an air-tight container.
You can reheat your stored Hot-brew before you drink it, but it will not taste as good as fresh coffee.
French press or drip coffee lasts for four days at most. After which, the Coffee brew starts to lose flavor.
However, when it comes to Cold-brew, they can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Cold Brew concentrate also can be put in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Cold Brew lasts longer than Hot Brew because the prior is brewed at room temperature. Cold Brew coffee is a concentrate which is why it holds flavor better.
A Hot-brewed coffee, on the other hand, transitions from a hotter temperature to a cooler one. The change in temperature makes the coffee more prone to flavor degradation.
When we prepare a hot brew, the oxidation process is faster. The compounds released into hot water are more in quantity; the Hot-Brew results in a more flavorful coffee. However, the flavors are lost from a Hot brew just as easily, making the shelf-life shorter than the cold counterpart.
If we talk of instant coffee, it lasts quite a long time for up to twenty years; even it is stored outside of the refrigerator.
Other FAQs about Coffee which you may be interested in.
How many cups of coffee can I make from a pound of ground coffee?
How does the Coffee spoil?
When coffee spoils, the flavorful oils become oxidized into toxic compounds. Your coffee becomes rancid and hence inconsumable.
Do not leave coffee exposed at room temperature for more than 30 minutes. If you don’t want to drink it soon, it is best to store it in an air-tight container. By preventing air from reaching the brewed-coffee, it will not oxidize, hence last longer.
The oxidation process starts with the brewing process. As soon as the Coffee beans are added to water, they release acids, aromatics, and acids.
If you left your coffee drink at room temperature for more than five hours, you must throw it away. You may notice a rancid and unpleasant smell.
If your coffee has milk added to it, it will last for a day in the fridge at most. Do not let coffee with milk sit around at room temperature. Doing so encourages the growth of bacteria and even molds.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, ‘How long does coffee stay good in the fridge?’. We discussed the reasons that make brewed coffee spoil. We then explored how we can enable our coffee drink and grains to retain their quality for an optimum period.
Citations
https://enjoyjava.com/how-long-does-coffee-last/
https://www.coffeedetective.com/how-long-can-i-keep-coffee-in-the-fridge.html
https://www.luckybelly.com/how-long-does-brewed-coffee-last/
