How Long Is Coffee Good In The Fridge – Does Brewed Coffee Go Bad?

Last updated on January 29th, 2024 at 12:36

We have all done it – brewed too much coffee and really do not want to throw it down the kitchen sink. We start to wonder and ask ourselves does brewed coffee go bad, and how long is coffee good in the fridge? 

Of course, like that high school sweetheart, nothing lasts forever and, like bad relationships, coffee does go stale and bitter.

To cut to the chase I’ll tell you how long coffee will stay good for in the fridge – 3 days if it is black coffee, drip coffee pot and 2 days if it is a cup of coffee with milk.

Other sites might say 4 days and 3 days respectively, but here, at Latte Love Brew we like to err on the side of caution and food safety.

Pull up your chair, and keep reading as we dig a lot deeper into this topic.

Does Brewed Coffee Go Bad?

Yes, brewed coffee can go bad after a few hours at room temperature. It is still drinkable, totally drinkable if you consume it within 2 to 4 hours for milky coffee and black coffee.

Coffee is still classed as perishable foods and must be treated as such. While it is not going to go off in a matter of hours, you should always check it first by giving it a sniff test and then a quick sip. If it is smells or tastes off, then don’t drink it.

Even though it may have passed its shelf life or consumption potential if it smells or tastes off you still don’t have to throw it away. There are alternate uses for it like watering your plants, which will benefit from the nutrients in the coffee.

Read: How long can brewed coffee sit out?

Is The Flavor Of Your Coffee Affected?

Yes,

hot coffee or iced coffee, for that matter, will start to lose that fresh coffee taste after about half an hour. This is the same if your cup of coffee has milk or is a caffe Americano or an espresso.

After this 30-min window, the flavor compounds and coffee oils start to degrade, and you will lose that pronounced coffee flavor.

Read: How long does brewed coffee stay fresh?

Does Black Coffee Go Bad In The Fridge?

A freshly brewed cup of coffee, or instant coffee without milk, can be kept for about 3 days in the fridge and still taste reasonably good. Overall, black coffee will go bad after 5 to 7 days, varying depending on the temperature of your fridge. It will at this time lose its aroma and certainly will not smell or taste as good as it was when it was fresh.

Coffee with milk does not keep as well as black coffee in the fridge.

How Long Does Coffee With Milk Last In The Fridge?

Coffee with creamer or with milk will not last as long as black coffee in the fridge. Typically, coffee with milk of any kind, be it dairy milk, almond milk, rice milk or creamer, will last for no more than 2 days in your fridge.

It is okay to drink coffee with milk straight from the fridge, but it is better to heat it up to a niche hot temperature to kill any bacteria that might be there.

There are two choices if killing bacteria is what you aim to achieve. Microwaving will heat your coffee from the inside out, literally. Thus, killing bacteria from the inside out. The best way is to use any saucepan and heat your coffee at a low temperature and slowly raise the temperature. This will be much better in terms of how your coffee will taste.

How To Store Brewed Coffee In The Fridge?

To prolong the shelf life of your coffee when you store it in the fridge, use an airtight container. An airtight container is important for storing coffee as fortunately* or unfortunately coffee absorbs flavors and scents and thus keeping it sealed in an airtight container is much better.

*Fortunately we can use that ability that coffee has to absorb odors and flavors to our advantage and use old coffee grounds and beans to absorb bad odors. Transversely, it also means we can add our favorite spices and foods, such as vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut etc, to our coffee beans canister and end up with flavored coffee beans.

How Long Is Brewed Coffee Good For At Room Temp?

Brewed coffee is good for only a maximum of 30 minutes. During this time period, your coffee is fine and maintains its fresh flavors and aromas, after which the fragrance, taste and aromas start to diminish and will eventually go stale.

Black coffee stays fresher for longer than coffee that has milk added, but only in the fridge.

How Do You Know When Coffee Goes Bad?

The best and most convenient way of finding out if your coffee has gone bad is a two fold test. First use your nose and give it the sniff test. If it smells off, then it has probably gone bad and is best avoided.

If it smells okay, then move on to test number 2, the taste test. Take a sip or two to test the taste. If it tastes off, it is probably off. If it tastes fine, then continue and enjoy. Don’t start off with a big gulp.

Can Coffee Mold?

Yes,

both brewed and unbrewed coffee are prone to mold. If you do not store your coffee beans well, they can grow mold. Freshly roasted coffee beans will stay fresh for only 2 weeks at most. You absolutely must store your coffee beans in a coffee canister that is specifically designed for that purpose.

Store your coffee in a vacuum airtight container with a one-way valve. For even better results, store your container in your fridge.

Your coffee drink or leftover coffee can also grow mold if you don’t store it well or store it for too long. If you have mold on your coffee, don’t think of drinking it. You can use it to water your house plants.

Can You Reheat Cold Coffee?

You can definitely reheat your cold coffee drinks. As I touched on earlier, the best way of reheating your brewed coffee is to put your stove at a low temperature and reheat it in a saucepan at a low temperature.

Slowly heating your coffee helps to maintain its flavor much better than quickly heating it. It is also better than microwaving it.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Is Coffee Good In The Fridge

Can You Drink 4 Day Old Coffee?

Coffee doesn’t go off in that same way that milk does but can still go off pretty quickly if it has milk added to it. Smell your coffee for any rancid smells and check it for mold. If it looks fine and smells fine, give it a sip to taste test it. If it tastes okay, continue drinking.

Personally, I advise against 4 day old coffee and even 3 day old. Overnight coffee that has been kept in the fridge is okay and the oldest coffee that I will drink.

Can You Put Coffee In The Fridge And Drink It Later?

Yes, but you must use an airtight container to prevent oxidation and your coffee from taking on odors and flavors from nearby food items.

Does Coffee Go Bad Overnight In The Fridge?

If you store your brewed coffee in an airtight container to protect it from strong odors, as coffee is very good at absorbing flavors and scents. A sealed container is a must. Milky coffee is good to be kept in the fridge overnight and black coffee will last longer than 24 hours when stored well.

How Long Does Cold Brewed Coffee Last In The Fridge?

Regular cold-brewed coffee lasts for 7 to 10 days in your fridge and when you make a cold brew concentrate it can stay fresh for 10 to 14 days.

How Do You Keep Coffee Fresh In The Refrigerator?

To keep your coffee fresh in the fridge, keep it away from the enemies of coffee which are heat, air and light. Using an opaque airtight container will help to keep your coffee fresh when you store it in your fridge.

Can I Put Coffee In The Fridge To Make Iced Coffee?

You can cool your hot brewed coffee by letting it cool in your fridge and later add ice to it for an iced coffee, but the result will be an ordinary coffee that has lost a degree of its freshness.

A better idea is to brew a concentrated hot coffee and add ice. You can also add your coffee to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well for a minute. This will instantly cool your coffee. Add your coffee to a glass with ice.

 Frappé-Ing It All Up – How Long Is Coffee Good In The Fridge?

We have answered that question, how long is coffee good in the fridge, and you have found out that it will last 2 to 3 days and will still hold a good part of its flavor profile. It can stay good for about a week as long as you store it well.

Personally, I do not advise keeping your coffee for any longer than 3 days in the fridge as coffee is a food product and can, and will go off.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location