How long does espresso last in the fridge
Espresso is such a beautiful alternative to coffee. With its bold, rich flavor and abundance of caffeine, espresso has become a daily staple for many. And with the growing options of at-home espresso machines hitting store shelves, many of us have the pleasure of enjoying our espresso in the comfort of our own homes!
Making and consuming espresso can be a bit addictive…leading some of us to get over zealous and pull a few too many shots. You don’t want to just toss that liquid gold…so you save it! Leading you to the ask yourself…how long does espresso last in the fridge?
How long does espresso last in the fridge?
SHORT ANSWER: 1 day
LONGER ANSWER: To be clear, we are talking about brewed espresso. The actual espresso beans will last much longer. Brewed espresso has a very short life span. If you are drinking it straight, you want to consume espresso pretty much as soon as possible, after brewing it.
Now you don’t need to down it immediately and burn your mouth! But as soon as your espresso has reached a comfortable temperature for you to consume it…you should drink it.
What happens when my espresso shot dies?
If you do not consume your freshly brewed espresso shot within a certain time frame it will “die”. What does this mean and how does it happen?
When your espresso shot dies, it’s actually a chemical reaction. As an espresso shot sits, its oils and lipids will oxidize and its crema, aka froth, will disappear. This will leave you with an espresso shot that tastes funky and bitter instead of rich, smooth, and delicious.
If time has gotten away from you, and your espresso shot ended up sitting untouched, don’t worry! You may not be able to enjoy the hot, fresh beverage, but espresso can be stored in the fridge for a day and used in other delicious ways!
How do I store leftover espresso in the fridge?
When storing leftover espresso in the fridge, first allow it to come to room temperature. Then store in a container (glass containers are best). Store your espresso in a container with a lid and make sure it’s properly sealed and airtight for best results!
How can I use leftover espresso? ( how long does espresso last in the fridge )
If you have brewed too much espresso or were unable to drink your fresh shot in a timely manner, don’t worry! Espresso will last in the fridge for up to a day and there are many ways to use leftover espresso and give it new life!
- Espresso martini– espresso martinis are an absolutely delicious cocktail that make the perfect pick-me-up at the beginning of an evening out or a perfect end of meal, liquid dessert. Sadly, they are often made with just espresso liquor, but using real espresso in combination with coffee or espresso liquor is the way to do it! Combine 2 ounces of vanilla vodka, 1 ounce of coffee liquor, and a shot of espresso. Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass, and enjoy!
- Iced latte– we are all familiar with iced lattes. If your espresso shot has cooled, simply pour it over ice and add your favorite milk!
- Frappuccino smoothie– Espresso smoothies are the perfect pick-me-up. With a nutrient dense smoothie AND espresso, you really can’t go wrong. Combine 6 ounces of non-dairy milk, 1 frozen banana, 2 dates, a scoop of ice, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and your shot of espresso. Blend until smooth and enjoy! Add a scoop of cocoa powder for a chocolate version. Add hemp hearts or a tablespoon of nuts for extra nutrients!
- Bake a chocolate cake– chocolate cake is delicious…but you know what makes it even better…adding espresso or coffee to the batter. Adding espresso or coffee to your chocolate cake batter will result in a richer more complex flavored chocolate cake.
- Espresso Ice cubes– freezing your leftover espresso is an option as well! Just place espresso in an ice cube tray and freeze. Next time you make an latte, toss it into the your glass, that way when the ice melts down it won’t water down your coffee as much. Espresso ice cubes are also a great addition to your chocolate smoothies!
How long do espresso beans stay good?
We’ve talked about how long brewed espresso will last in the fridge, 1 day. But what about espresso beans BEFORE they are brewed…how long do espresso beans stay good?
An unopened bag of whole espresso beans can last for up to a year as long as the packaging and conditions are idle. You need your espresso beans to be stored in an airtight, unopened bag AND in a cooler temperature, like a cool pantry or fridge, to reach the longest shelf life possible.
Once your bag of espresso beans has been opened they will last one week to one month. Several things will affect their life span…temperature of storage space (the cooler the better), the container in which they are stored (is it airtight?), and the bean its self (amount of oil, the roast).
Once you grind your espresso bean, they should be brewed and consumed within a few days.