The curious question I asked myself while trying to find the answer almost became ignorance! For the same reason, I tried and failed many times, and, besides, I drank some cups of coffee that had gone bad.
In this article, I will discuss my experience of how I store cold brew coffee and how long does cold brewed coffee last in the fridge. After reading my experience you can completely understand everything you need to know.
How Long Does Cold Brew Coffee Last in the Fridge?
From my experience, cold brew coffee can be kept in the refrigerator for 7 to 14 days. But, it depends on some factors. First, the question is whether to store it as a concentrate, add water, or mix it with milk before storing it.
If you keep it as a concentrate (which I usually do), it stays longer—an average of two weeks without losing flavor. Well, when you add water, you’ll give it a shorter shelf life, the usual being 3 to 5 days only.
The taste starts to be not that good after a week. It might still be safe to taste, but it lacks the distinct, smooth flavor that makes cold brew pleasurable. At the end of two weeks, I observed it felt sour or stale, indicating it had outgrown its prime.
According to Healthline, cold brew coffee can last up to two weeks in the fridge if stored properly, though the flavor may start to degrade after the first week.
Is It okay to Drink Old Coffee?
Is it ok to drink old coffee? My opinion lies on how long a “cold” period is Terrible Products. If it is a cold brew after two weeks, tell-tale signs have not appeared, it is probably still the case that it is not toxic, although the flavor will resemble another one.
Still, I recommend drinking something other than cold brew stored in the fridge for over a month. I had this blunder once, and I thought that it must be alright since it was still looking okay. However, after just one sip, it became clear that something was wrong with it.
The taste was sour and icky and after about two hours, I started feeling very sick. But luck is it can’t cause any serious issue.
Cold brew should not be consumed or left to be harmful even if you like its taste, but it stinks or tastes different.
What is the shelf life of coffee?
The shelf life of cold brew coffee ultimately depends on its storage methods. As I said, cold brew concentrate lasts longer than diluted cold brew. What else counts is if your container is airtight.
In my case, the cold brew kept in an airtight glass container remains fresh more extended than in plastic bottles, which sometimes changes its taste.
If you’re buying cold brew from the store, check the “best by” date when you are there. Bottled cold brew products, which are preserved, usually have a longer shelf life than conventional ones.
I buy a cold brew in a bottle that may be used for up to 30 days in my refrigerator, but a bottle of cold brew will only last for sometime.
Food & Wine highlights the importance of storing coffee in airtight containers to give its freshness and extend its shelf life.”
What Does Expired Coffee Look Like?
One of the main things I have learned during these years is to know the signs when a coffee is with the time of expiration. Even though cold-brew coffee can be described as “go bad,” like milk or meat, it is still transforming in a way you can realize.
- The cold brew smells subtle and attractive when it is fresh. If it gets spoiled, it smells sour or musty.
- In case it is tangy, bitter, or past its expiration date, you should not use it.
- It should be noted that some separation is ordinary, and a lot of separation or a hazy appearance signals something wrong.
The cold brew in the fridge for almost three weeks was the time. It had a faint odor, but a layer of oil was on top of it, and its color was slightly cloudy.
If this were the case, I would not dare drink it, and I am very thankful that I did not. In such scenarios, the best approach is to trust your gut and throw it away.
How to Store Cold Brew Coffee Properly
As time passes, I have developed a system by which cold brew is kept fresh for as long as possible. First, I keep it in glass jars with airtight lids because plastic vessels and glass jars can spoil the taste and not seal.
Another advice would be to keep your cold brew as a concentrate and only add water to your beverage when you want it. This way, the coffee is kept fresh longer. Also, I usually store coffee in the freezer where the temperature is stable.
Conclusion
So in my experience, you can refrigerate your coffee for 7-14 days, but it depends on conditions, how you store coffee in freezer.
In the case of cold-brew concentrate, it’s closer to the two-week mark. When you blend, you’re supposed to drink it after 3-5 days, the ideal period for maximum freshness.
Storing cold brew coffee properly can significantly extend its shelf life. Please take advantage of its liquid form and keep it concentrated to the maximum possible extent. If you observe any differences in smell, taste, or appearance, then it is best to throw it away and make a new batch.
Your best enjoyment of cold brew should be experienced when it is freshly made. Hence, even though creating a lot of batches is tempting, please don’t allow it to stay too long in the cold store. Your taste buds (and stomach) will praise you for that!