How long can I keep coffee in the fridge?

by Terry
(Athens, GA)

Cold-brew coffee in the fridge.

Cold-brew coffee in the fridge.


QUESTION:

How long is it safe to keep brewed drip coffee in the refrigerator? I like to make coffee to drink iced so I want to keep some in the fridge as a convenience.

Thanks
Terry

ANSWER:

Terry, hi

That's a question a few people have been asking. During the summer it's nice to have some chilled coffee on hand as the base for some cold coffee beverages.

First, be sure that you keep the coffee in a tightly sealed container, so it doesn't pick up flavours from other items in the fridge.

I would use it within a week of brewing and cooling it. I don't base that on any real knowledge of the safety issues. I'm no expert when it comes to the growth of bacteria in coffee. All I can say is that a week is about as long as I would want to keep brewed coffee before pouring it away.

That said, I rarely keep coffee in the fridge at all. When I want hot coffee, I always brew it fresh. It takes just a few minutes, costs just a few pennies and always tastes a little better.

The only exception is when I make cold-brew coffee in the summer. Obviously this stays in the fridge, and it's usually all gone within a week...on iced-coffee drinks.

Comments for How long can I keep coffee in the fridge?

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Oct 17, 2020
"ruining the taste is BS
by: Terry

Personally, I think all this coffee advice is "the emperor's new clothes". Coffee reheated (in the microwave) from the fridge tastes just fine. Same as microwave-reheated cooled down coffee. Maybe it's a ploy by coffee companies to encourage people to buy way more coffee!

Mar 26, 2018
ICE Coffee Cocktail
by: Shawn

Nick - Take those coffee ice cubes and pour some good vodka or rum over them... enjoy the cold cocktail that is created as the cubes melt.

Sep 20, 2017
Coffee chill time
by: Anonymous

I'm not sure about hot coffee, but iced coffee is not the same as hot coffee. I recently was introduced to the toddy, which ones you make a batch of cold brew it will last for 14 days in the fridge in a container. Hot coffee chilled is not the same as iced coffee since the brewing process is different. Iced coffee is not. Brewed hot id give it a week before I wouldn't drink it, also less time once you add diary.

Jan 13, 2017
Carbon Cost
by: Chris

Besides not wanting to waste money by throwing out coffee over a couple hours old, think about the carbon footprint of growing, picking, fermenting, roasting and shipping the beans to your local store.
Coffee is a very carbon-expensive crop that is consumed daily across America.
I'd love to see a change in our general attitude toward drinking it up instead of throwing it away. And that starts by sharing ways to preserve a brew -- thanks to all of you for helping with that!

Sep 05, 2016
More than Pennies for Coffee
by: Anonymous

I just paid $13.95 for a pound of Sumatran beans, so I believe it's costing me more than a few pennies for my coffee. I no longer drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, so I can justify the additional cost for the coffee I enjoy. You've only got one life to live, don't waste It on poor coffee. According to one popular ad, America runs on...(fill in the blank), but I don't have to.

Mar 03, 2016
I store coffee for several days.
by: Paul

Another option, of course, if the coffee is older and one is concerned that it may have bacteria, is to boil it for about 5 minutes--not sure what that would do to the taste though.

Typically I collect leftover coffee at work and drink it on the weekend (cheapskate!). If I have to keep it more than a few days, I will freeze it and thaw it the night before I want to drink it.

Feb 14, 2015
Many many months
by: Dexter

I have been drinking iced coffee for 25+ years. I've always put the remnants from my morning brew in an old plastic gallon milk jug. I add and subtract from it over six months, at the minimum.

NEVER had any problems!!

May 15, 2013
pennies????
by: gouber

It costs a lot more than a few pennies!!! 840 watts to run a coffee pot. u leave that on for three hours nd ur paying 50 cents in electricity every time u brew nd leave it on for 3 hours.

Sep 13, 2011
keep it till you finish it
by: LikeMycoffeelikemywoman

I keep mine anywhere from 1 day up to 2 weeks or so, depends when i finish it I make big pot 12 cup cuban expressso black, drink it hot first day but then I drink it chilled whenever I want some, dont drink it every day maybe one glass every few days, taste the same from 2 hours old to day 14, aroma and taste is better when just made it but that could just be the aroma that makes your nose think it taste a little better

Oct 14, 2009
hold time
by: Patty, barista

Iced coffee and iced tea should be a one day thing. 8-12 hours is usually the longest I keep it around. After that the quality goes down severely. But, like most things if you don't care how it tastes, keep it up to 7 days.

Aug 30, 2009
try making coffee ice cubes
by: Nick

Terry - great question, something I've been trying to find an answer to as well. One thing I have started doing is making coffee ice cubes. This helps to prevent my iced coffee from getting watery as my ice melts. It also allows you to brew hot coffee and then instantly cool it off using your coffee ice cubes.

-Nick

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