Do your mornings often start a bit hectic while getting ready for work?
You aren’t alone in that chaos! 😀
But you can plan ahead and simplify your morning routine by brewing coffee in the evening and leaving this coffee overnight! I know how that sounds, but yeah, it’s possible.
Let me convince you.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Can You Drink Coffee That Has Been Left Overnight?
Overnight coffee doesn’t only refer to the coffee that has been left overnight but left for several hours even a couple of days. Well, all coffee sellers recommend drinking freshly brewed coffee instead of storing it till the other day.
But can you drink it? Well, yes, nothing terrible will happen to you.
However, the taste will be different, different with a negative connotation.
What Happens to Brewed Coffee if It’s Left to Sit Out?
If you leave your coffee to sit out for too long, it will start to go bad. Coffee goes stale because of oxidation – a natural chemical reaction.
This is quite common and involves electrons being transferred from one molecule to another. When the coffee’s compounds come in touch with the oxygen they oxidize – this is how coffee flavor gets lost. Also, this is the reason why cold-brewed coffee preserves its flavor for longer than hot brew.
If you worry about caffeine content, you shouldn’t because caffeine is quite stable and won’t degrade.
How Long Can Coffee be Left to Sit Out?
Brewed coffee can only last for 30 minutes at room temperature without losing its flavor. Then it starts to lose most of its pleasant flavor and aroma.
However, plain black coffee can sit out at room temperature for more than 24 hours after brewing. It will still be considered safe to consume, but its original flavor will be lost.
On the other hand, hot coffee with added milk or creamer shouldn’t be left out for more than 1-2 hours.
Can You Reheat It?
Please don’t! Reheating your morning coffee in the afternoon would make it lose even more of its aroma.
Fun Fact
- In some places such as restaurants and hotels, they try to mask the staleness of the brewed coffee by scalding it hot. In such cases, some would add a pinch of salt to the coffee to mellow down the harsh bitterness.
How To Store Coffee Overnight?
We have concluded overnight coffee is not so good for your pleasure nor for your health. But don’t worry, you won’t have to give up on the idea to wake up in the morning later and skip brewing coffee. You can still make coffee before you go to sleep and store it in the following ways. Coffee will be both tasty and healthy for you.
Two Options:
- Vacuum-insulated Thermal Coffee Mug
Woohoo, What an Idea! Give that man a Nobel Prize for that invention! 😉
The vacuum-insulated thermal coffee mug will limit the oxidation and keep your brew warm until the afternoon. Or until morning. That kind of mug is very efficient, sturdy, convenient to use and very practical for travelers.
- Make Tasty Overnight Cold Brew Coffee
Because hot water isn’t used in this brewing method, cold brew coffee is more durable. Its flavor will last longer and if kept in the fridge below 4.4 °C (or 40°F) cold brew concentrate can be used within 2 weeks after brewing.
Follow this recipe and you’ll make the best overnight cold brew coffee at home.
Pour 1 cup of ground coffee into a pitcher. A coarse coffee grind is best for this.
Pour 4 cups of cold water over the grounds.
Give it a good stir and cover with plastic wrap. Let it steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into another pitcher or container, and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use.
Serve it hot or cold with milk or half and half as desired. Add ice cubes.
Ingredients
Directions
Pour 1 cup of ground coffee into a pitcher. A coarse coffee grind is best for this.
Pour 4 cups of cold water over the grounds.
Give it a good stir and cover with plastic wrap. Let it steep at room temperature for at least 12 hours.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into another pitcher or container, and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use.
Serve it hot or cold with milk or half and half as desired. Add ice cubes.
Best Type Of Grind
Coarsely-ground coffee works best for cold brew. Of course, you can buy beans coarsely ground or grind your own on the coarse setting using your own grinder or a grocery store grinder. For the freshest coffee flavor, we recommend grinding your own beans.
Cold Brew Overnight Oats – Great Alternative
Coffee lovers and overnight oak lovers unite! Why not unite these two things and start your morning off with a refreshing bowl of oats with a caffeine kick.
Add 1/2 cup rolled oats, 2 tsp chia seeds, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Mix 2 tsp of instant coffee into 2/3 cup of milk and pour into the oats. Give them a good stir to mix the ingredients together.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
When you're ready to eat the oats, remove them from the fridge. Oats absorbed a lot of liquid, so you can add a little more water or milk before eating.
If desired, top with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
These coffee overnight oats keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Feel free to double this recipe and make multiple jars to last the entire week.
Ingredients
Directions
Add 1/2 cup rolled oats, 2 tsp chia seeds, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Mix 2 tsp of instant coffee into 2/3 cup of milk and pour into the oats. Give them a good stir to mix the ingredients together.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
When you're ready to eat the oats, remove them from the fridge. Oats absorbed a lot of liquid, so you can add a little more water or milk before eating.
If desired, top with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.
These coffee overnight oats keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Feel free to double this recipe and make multiple jars to last the entire week.
Also, you can add banana, maple syrup, chocolate and other ingredients to this delicious wake-up breakfast.
What Are The Best Containers For Overnight Oats?
The Mason jars and Weck glass jars are very popular and quality jars perfect for overnight prep-meal. So you can prepare your overnight oats in the jar right away and close it airtightly. These jars are leakage free and great for people who eat their breakfast on the go.
To Wrap It Up
Cold-brew coffees become popular for good reason – it tastes smooth, less acidic and less bitter. Make it the night before and enjoy a nice and silent morning while preparing for your work.
