How Long Is Coffee Good for in the Fridge? (Does It Go Bad?)

When we think about perishables, coffee is not likely the first thing that springs to mind, particularly if you take your coffee black. 

It’s easy to brew too much coffee, and who wants to waste it? Sticking it in the fridge makes sense. But how long can it last in there — can coffee make you sick if it’s been sitting in the fridge for too long? 

Read on to get the lowdown on what causes coffee to go stale and how long it keeps in the fridge before it’s time to make a fresh pot.

Everything you need to know about how long you can safely keep your brewed coffee in the fridge and when you should throw it out.

When Does Coffee Go Bad if It’s In the Fridge?

Healthline suggests brewed coffee can last three or four days in the fridge if it’s in a sealed container. However, Cold brew coffee can last 7–10 days if it’s not diluted with milk. 

Coffee connoisseurs argue that day-old brewed coffee tastes horrible when compared to a fresh pot — and they’re right. But unless you’ve added dairy or sugar and left it sitting out at room temperature for hours, chances are it’s still safe to drink, even if it’s not at its best.

Once coffee has been brewed, it begins to lose its freshness after half an hour of being exposed to the air. Some people say brewed coffee should be consumed within four hours of sitting out at room temperature, while others suggest it’s safe to consume within 12 hours. While it shouldn’t harm you if it's been out of the fridge for that long, it’s not going to be the most earth-shattering cup of coffee you’ve ever had. 

Stale coffee tastes markedly different from fresh coffee. If it smells or tastes strange, throw it out, particularly if you don’t know when it was brewed. None of us likes waste, but there is little point in drinking something you won’t enjoy.

Suggested: Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee: Differences Explained

What About Coffee Containing Dairy?

Black brewed coffee will keep for much longer in the fridge than coffee that contains dairy. Beverages that contain any milk products must be refrigerated and stored in an appropriate container. When stored this way, coffee with milk will last for two to three days. You can opt to use non-dairy alternatives, although you should be mindful that even non-dairy creamers have a shelf life.

If you’ve left coffee with milk out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it won’t be worth the risk. It’s better to discard it. However, if you store it in the fridge, it can stay fresh for a day or two provided it’s in an airtight container. 

Suggested: How Long Does Coffee Creamer Last After Opening?

Shelf Life of Coffee According to Type

There is limited scientific data regarding whether coffee goes bad in the same way certain foods spoil, but it will become stale over time. 

If you store raw green coffee beans in a cool, dark place, they will last a lot longer than roasted beans, although whole coffee beans or pre-ground coffee will have an expiration date to let you know when they are past their best. 

However, this date is more of a guide than a hard and fast rule. Drinking the coffee slightly beyond this date is unlikely to cause ill effects, but the pleasant aroma and intense flavor profile may not be as good as when it was fresh.

Leaving it at the back of the cupboard for years and hoping for the best will likely yield disappointing results. Stale coffee grounds will produce a stale pot of coffee.

The key to coffee’s longevity depends on the type of coffee you are dealing with and how you store it. The following table gives a rough guide as to how long each type of coffee can last. 

However, the research varies widely according to what different people deem to be safe. If in doubt, follow your nose and taste buds — both are usually a good indicator of whether or not the coffee is good to drink.

What Causes Coffee to Go Stale?

Much like other food and drink, coffee goes bad when it’s exposed to certain conditions.

Four main things cause coffee to become stale or unsafe:

1. Oxygen — When coffee is exposed to oxygen, it triggers a chemical reaction called oxidation, which causes coffee to become stale more quickly. This process continues after the coffee has been brewed and speeds up the deterioration of aroma and flavor.
2. Light — Any light source is bad for coffee. Store it in a cool, dark place.
3. Moisture — If you allow moisture to come into contact with your coffee, you run the risk of mold and rot. 
4. Heat — Much like light, heat causes coffee beans to lose their pleasant aroma and flavor. 

Suggested Storage Options to Keep Your Brewed Coffee

If you’re at home, leave your coffee in the pot for a while, particularly if there’s a warming function on your coffee machine. If you’re on the move and want to keep your coffee hot and fresh for as long as possible, a Thermos flask is a useful option. 

Another option is to freeze the brewed coffee, where it can safely stay for up to two months. Just allow the coffee to cool, then pour it into an ice cube tray. Once it’s frozen, take the cubes and put them into a freezer bag. 

When you’re ready to use them, just allow the cubes to thaw, or add a few to a freshly brewed cup (or cold brew) for iced coffee. You can even add some coffee ice cubes to smoothies if you need a pick-me-up in the morning.

FAQs: More About Coffee Storage

Still have some questions? 

Read our FAQ section to learn how to avoid the common pitfalls of safe storage.

1. How Long Does Cold Brew Coffee Last? 

Cold brew coffee can last between 7–10 days in the fridge. However, this time will be greatly reduced if you use milk or plant milk to dilute your drink. 

It’s advisable to store your cold brew in airtight glass containers to prevent oxidation and contamination from strong-smelling foods in your fridge. We also advise that you only dilute it when you’re planning to drink it if you want it to last longer.

2. How Long Will Latte Coffee Keep in the Fridge?

As a rule of thumb, a latte will last about 2–3 days in the fridge if it’s correctly stored in an airtight container. However, much depends on what ingredients are in your drink, how long it was left out, and how you plan to reheat it. 

If it contains sugar and dairy milk as opposed to non-dairy, it will perish faster. To be safe, it’s best to discard a latte after a couple of days and make a fresh one. 

3. Does Spoiled Coffee Look Different From Fresh Coffee?

Unfortunately, no. It doesn’t look different whether it’s whole beans or in a ground or brewed state. If it has been exposed to moisture, there may be visible signs of mold, but this is unlikely unless it's been left in a humid area for a long time. 

It’s still worth a quick visual check to make sure, but you are better off following your nose and your mouth to be certain. If your coffee has no discernible scent or you’re getting dusty or ashy aromas, it’s probably time to throw it away.

4. How to Tell if My Coffee is Fresh Without a Roast or Expiry Date?

If you can’t find an expiration date, it’s time to take the Ziplock bag test. Unfortunately, this won’t give you immediate results. Therefore, it isn’t much use if you’re running late for work and need coffee for your commute, but it’s a pretty nifty way to check the freshness of your beans if you do it the night before. 

First, put coffee beans into a Ziplock bag, ensuring there is no air in the bag before you seal it. Fresh beans will puff the bag up overnight as they release gases. If it doesn’t, the coffee beans are no longer producing carbon dioxide, which tells you it’s time to ditch your beans and buy some fresh.