Cold-brew is a type of coffee that has been brewed using cold water and steeped for hours.
It’s popular among people who don’t like how strong hot coffee tastes or want the benefits of drinking coffee without getting the jitters from too much caffeine.
In this blog post, we will discuss how long does cold brew lasts, how to store it properly and how to make your cold brew at home.
What Exactly is Cold Brew?
Cold brewing is making coffee by pouring ground beans into cold water and letting them steep for long periods.
The main difference between cold brew and hot brewed coffee is that the latter uses heat to extract flavor from the grounds, whereas in cold brewing, you use time rather than temperature.
Cold brewing has its advantages: it’s less acidic with higher levels of sweetness and body, meaning more antioxidants are preserved through extraction.
Additionally, because no heat is used throughout the process, there’s much less chance for the oils in your coffee to go rancid or develop unpleasant flavors during storage.
How to Make Cold Brew at Home?
Cold-brew has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and for good reason.
It’s a delicious way to enjoy coffee that is less acidic than traditional brews and has more body from the natural oil of the beans.
Cold-brew typically takes 12-24 hours to use cold or room temperature water with coarsely ground beans.
The resulting mixture can be refrigerated and stored up to two weeks before making another batch – it saves you time on busy mornings.
Here’s how to make cold brew at home:
Fill a container with coarsely ground coffee beans.
Use about one tablespoon of ground coffee per cup of water.
For example, if you are using an eight-ounce jar, use four tablespoons or two-level tablespoons of the measuring spoon with lines measuring in ounces and tablespoons on both sides.
Pour cold filtered water over the beans to fill the jar.
Stir until all grounds have been submerged beneath liquid and screw band back into place securely.
Place it somewhere out of direct sunlight (it will be easier on your eyes) and let brew for at least 12 hours but up to 24 hours.
Once brewed, pour through a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper filter before serving – don’t forget this step.
How to Store Cold Brew?
The process for storing cold brews is relatively simple.
You can store it in containers of your choice: plastic pitcher, glass jar, or stainless steel container with a lid and straws on the side to make sipping easy.
For optimal taste preservation:
- It should be stored in an airtight container,.
- The temperature of the storage area needs to remain at least 40°F or below.
- If it is not available for immediate consumption, chilled cold brew can also be kept on ice (as long as there’s a lid). So make sure you have enough freezer space.
- When transporting, keep the cold brew in a cooler packed with ice.
- Don’t leave the cold brew out at room temperature for more than two hours.
How Long Does Cold Brew Last?
Cold brew coffee is a trendy drink that has been around for quite some time.
In the past, people were not as aware of this type of coffee, so it wasn’t on everyone’s radar like many other popular drinks are today.
The shelf life of cold brew depends on how you store it, but as a rule, most fresh coffees have about two weeks before they go bad.
If you’re making your own at home, then be sure to use clean equipment so that no bacteria build up in your cupboard or fridge, where the container will stay until emptied.
This should give you enough time to enjoy your cold brew.
You can also freeze the coffee if you want it to last for a longer period.
Always use clean equipment and discard any leftovers after two weeks have passed.
How to Tell if Cold Brew is Bad?
Like any beverage sitting for a long time, it is difficult to know if cold brew has gone bad.
The best way to tell if the coffee tastes off or not will be by how it smells and also its flavor profile.
If the cold-brew starts smelling funky, then there’s a good chance that bacteria could be growing in it.
If you smell something sour, yeasty, vinegar-like, or moldy, then those are signs of spoilage too.
The taste may take some getting used to, but if your nose tells you that this cup is no gooey, then trust your instinct and don’t drink this anymore.
This includes an unpleasant aftertaste which can often happen if the coffee was brewed a while ago.
If you notice any of these signs, discard or return the cold-brew to the store.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cold brew coffee will last much longer than regular brewed coffee.
If you want to drink cold brew for a few days, store it in the refrigerator.
If you don’t have room in your fridge, try using an ice pack and purchasing some extra glass bottles to keep things organized on the go.
How Long Does Cold Brew Last? Does Cold Brew Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Cold brew
- Air-tight containers or bottle
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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