Accidentally brewed too much coffee or looking to simplify your mornings by prepping ahead? Knowing how to properly store your leftover coffee is essential. According to Jonathan Freihofer, director of coffee services at Joe Coffee in New York, it’s completely safe to refrigerate your leftover coffee. However, he suggests allowing the coffee to cool completely before storing it to prevent bacterial growth. Once cooled, transfer the coffee into an airtight container, preferably avoiding plastic if the coffee is still warm to prevent chemical leaching.
Freihofer advises that coffee stored in the fridge can last up to three days, but it might still be fine for a few extra days. While the coffee remains safe to drink, its flavor may degrade over time. To minimize this, he recommends enjoying leftover coffee over ice rather than reheating it, as reheating can cause bitterness due to the breakdown of chlorogenic acids into caffeic and quinic acids. Although not the pinnacle of coffee consumption, refrigerating your leftover brew is a convenient and safe way to ensure you have a caffeine boost ready to go.
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