Coffee made using a cold brew method lasts longer than hot coffee. One of this beverage’s most unique features is its prolonged shelf life. It’s enjoyable for days.
30 minutes after water contacts the ground coffee beans, the flavor quality of hot coffee deteriorates. This is also true with iced coffee, which is just hot coffee that has been chilled. Cold coffee keeps a lot longer. It has a more stable taste. Some cold brew techniques have a 10-day shelf life.
What is cold brew coffee?
Ground coffee beans are gently steeped in water for almost a day to produce cold brew coffee, which is then strained to remove the grounds. Your perseverance has yielded a very strong cold brew coffee concentrate that is flavorful and mildly bitter.
Usually, a total of 24 hours are given for cold brew coffee to steep. After that, your drink must be diluted with water, cream, or alternative milk before consumption. The diluting process lessens the bitterness, yielding twice as much coffee as hot brewed coffee.
Storing cold brew coffee
To store it, you must make a cold brew. The right coffee-to-water ratio and steeping time should also be known.
Once your cold brew concentrate or diluted ready-to-drink beverage is done, you must store it in a container that is well sealed. As a result, degradation is slowed down, and flavor components are prolonged.
When your brew is prepared, put the coffee you will not drink in the refrigerator right away.
For up to two weeks, you can store it in the refrigerator. Always keep your cold brew in its concentrated state for storage. Then, when you’re ready to drink it, you can freshly dilute your morning energy drink with cold water to the strength you want.
The concentrated form extends its shelf life. Coffee can be diluted immediately and kept in a drinkable form in the refrigerator, although this only extends its shelf life by about 2-3 days.
How do you know if the cold brew has gone bad?
Knowing how long this kind of coffee beverage keeps should help you recognize the telltale signs that your favorite brew has gone bad.
- A faint aroma
- The jolt of caffeine is gone
- Substantially less flavor
- Very acidic taste
- Mold or a bad smell
The most apparent method is to just look for mold. If mold is developing in the jar, there’s no need for me to tell you to throw it out! However, mold growth is only the last stage of rancidification. Overall, if the flavor is not the same as when it was freshly brewed, it has gone bad, and you should STOP drinking it.
Extending the shelf life of cold brew
The easiest way to keep cold brew coffee fresh for longer is to store it properly. Glass is the best container, although plastic will also work.
Because plastic is porous, essential flavors can oxidize more quickly. Some of the compounds in plastic impact how coffee tastes. Glass containers can be sealed more tightly, and no chemicals interfere with flavor profiles.
Conclusion
Cold brew coffee is a popular substitute for hot coffee and is easily made at home. Many people like cold brew because it is less acidic than hot coffee and can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time without losing taste. However, storing your cold brew for more than two weeks is not advised.
Frequently asked questions
How does the shelf life of cold brew affect milk, cream, or sugar added?
The shelf life of your cold brew reduces if you add anything to the concentrate, including sweeteners or water. Therefore, the cold brew concentrate should be stored. Then, add water and other ingredients you’ll need when you’re ready to drink it. It’s best to add extras just before eating.
How much coffee should I use to make a cold brew?
This question does not have a precise answer. After all, coffee lovers typically choose a ratio based on their tastes; a coffee to water ratio of 1:7 or 1:8 is fine. Once the cold brew is done, you can always thin it out even more.
Does cold brew coffee need to steep in the fridge?
No, making cold brew does not require steeping coffee grounds in the refrigerator. Carry it out at room temperature. It would be best to let your cold brew soak in the refrigerator for longer than you would at room temperature.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
