Remember that time when you made a fresh cup of coffee thinking you would sit on your couch and enjoy it? But you had an urgent chore or a work call and completely forgot the coffee?
We have all been there. In such times you either throw your coffee away or keep it in the fridge.
So if you’re wondering how long does coffee with milk last in the fridge? Coffee with milk can last and taste good for up to 2 days in the fridge. It will be safe to drink the coffee if you reheat it, bring it back to temperature, and ensure all the bacteria in the milk have been killed.
How Long Can Milk Be Stored In The Fridge?
Once the milk carton is opened and refrigerated properly it can last anywhere between 2 to 7 days. After that, the milk might get spoiled and develop an unpleasant and rancid odor.
Why Does Milk Go Bad?
If you stored milk correctly in the refrigerator and it has gone bad even before its expiration it could be due to the overgrowth of bacteria in the milk. This leads to the milk getting spoiled which changes its quality, flavor, and texture.
Once you open the milk carton it is exposed to harmful bacteria in the environment which could lead to it getting spoiled even before the expiration date.
How Long Can Coffee Be Stored In The Fridge?
Brewed coffee can be stored in the fridge for around 3 to 4 days. After that, it will lose its quality and flavor. As for cold brew coffee, it can last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge if stored in an airtight container and refrigerated properly.
The reason why cold brew can last longer than regular brewed coffee is that hot coffee continues to oxidize even after it is brewed and comes to room temperature.
Why Does Coffee Go Bad?
The reason behind coffee getting spoiled could be many factors such as oxygen, moisture, and heat. Here are the main factors your coffee is losing its freshness:
- Air: Once the coffee is exposed to air the smell of coffee begins to degrade due to the process of oxidation.
- Moisture: Since water contains oxygen, it causes oxidation. When the coffee comes into contact with water, they begin releasing its flavor oils and acid into water.
- Heat: Coffee when exposed to heat speeds up the process of oxidation extraction of oils and flavor, which can lead to coffee getting stale quicker.
- Light: While storing coffee in glass jars looks very fancy. It is not the best option as sunlight and heat increase the process of oxidation which leads to the degradation of coffee flavor.
The Science Behind Adding Milk To Coffee
Milk contains fats and protein in a large proportion. Brewed coffee is primarily only water. Adding fats from milk changes the texture of the coffee giving it a thicker feel.
The protein in the milk when added to coffee softens the bitterns of coffee by bounding to polyphenolic compounds such as tannins. Furthermore, when milk is heated or steamed – the heat breaks down the lactose in the milk into smaller compounds which increases the sweetness of the milk.
Should You Store Coffee With Milk In The Fridge?
While you can store coffee with milk in the fridge and it should stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days. But, we would always advise you to make a fresh cup of coffee. Stored coffee is never going to taste the same as a freshly made cup of coffee
If you still prefer storing coffee for convenience purposes, store it without milk. And add fresh milk whenever you’re looking to drink it. This way the shelf life of the coffee is going to be longer.
How Long Do Different Coffee Drinks Last In The Fridge?
1. Iced coffee
Iced coffee can last up to 2 days in the fridge. But, once the ice in the iced coffee melts, it is nothing but watery coffee. Which does not taste good. So it will not be ideal to store iced coffee in the fridge, but if you still need to, take the ice out and then store the coffee.
2. Espresso
Espresso drinks like cappuccino and latte can definitely be stored in the fridge. So espresso with or without milk can last up to 2 days in the fridge. It is always preferable to heat the milk before consuming it.
However, as we mentioned earlier the reason we enjoy drinks like cappuccino and latte in the coffee shop is because it is freshly made. So you shouldn’t store coffee in the fridge regularly unless you absolutely have to.
3. Cold Brew
Cold-brew can last for a longer period compared to other coffee drinks. Typically cold brew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To ensure safety, store it in an airtight container. After 2 weeks, the coffee could go rancid and lose its aroma and intensity.
The reason that Cold brew coffee can last for a longer period than other coffee drinks, is that hot coffee continues to oxidize even after coming down to room temperature. But, with cold brew, the oxidizing process is really slow as the coffee takes a long time to brew.
What Is The Correct Way To Store Coffee In The Fridge?
As we discussed above, in ideal circumstances you would not want to store coffee with milk in the fridge. However, if you have made some coffee and want to keep it in the refrigerator. Here are a few things to watch out for.
#Tip 1 – Let it come to room temperature
Allow the coffee to cool completely before popping it into the fridge, simply because when you put something really hot in the fridge the temperature rises which also leads to an increase in bacteria. If you have ever done this in the past, it is extremely unhygienic and could also ruin your refrigerator settings.
#Tip 2 – Store it in an airtight container
Once the coffee has cooled down completely, store it in an airtight container. This is done for two reasons. One so the aroma and the flavor of the coffee aren’t affected by other things in the fridge.
Coffee has a really strong flavor and if stored exposed, it will not only lose its flavor and intensity but can also absorb a really strong smell like that of onion and meat.
Second, the oxidation process happens much faster when exposed to air. Which will lead to the coffee getting spoiled quicker.
#Tip 3 – Freezing it into ice cubes
If you want an instant fix while making coffee, you can dilute your coffee with water and freeze it in the form of ice cubes. This method is perfect when making iced coffee, simply take some frozen coffee cubes and add milk. To ensure that the ice cubes last longer and do not absorb any other fragrance reusable zipper bags.
How Long Does Cold Brew Last Unrefrigerated?
Cold Brew can last somewhere between 16 to 18 hours unrefrigerated. But, don’t just throw away your coffee yet. We noticed that the extraction process slows down towards the end. So unless you have left the brew at room temperature for around 20 to 24 hours it will probably be fine.
After 20 to 24 hours, the coffee grounds release a bitter taste and the coffee will develop a woody taste. If you prefer a stronger coffee, dilute a little less water rather than steeping it for longer.
Final Thoughts
If you’re one of those people who tend to make more coffee than they can drink, then hopefully this article should have given you some guidance as to how long it is safe to store your coffee.
With that being said, we highly recommend you brew and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with nicely steamed and frothy milk. Because there is nothing better than a fresh cup of hot and foamy coffee!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If your coffee with milk has been sitting out for more than 2 hours, it should not be consumed. So if you plan to drink your coffee with milk at a later time make sure to refrigerate it.
How long can black coffee sit out at room temperature?
Brewed coffee can last for around 30 minutes at room temperature, after which it begins to lose aroma and flavor. If it has been sitting out for longer than 30 minutes it might also develop an unpleasant smell and taste.
If you have refrigerated the coffee within 2 hours of it coming back to room temperature, it is safe to drink. It is advisable to reheat the coffee before drinking to ensure all the bacteria get killed. If the coffee has been sitting out unrefrigerated it should not be consumed, especially if it has accumulated an unpleasant taste or odor.
No, coffee will not go bad in the fridge immediately. Varying on the type of coffee – Cold brew coffee can last for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, while coffee with milk needs to be consumed within 2 days.
Yes, you can drink day-old coffee in the fridge, unless the coffee has gone rancid or developed an unpleasant taste and smell.
The best way to find out if coffee has gone bad is to smell it. If you find that the coffee has lost its aroma and flavor or it has an unpleasant smell. That is when you know it isn’t fit for consumption.
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