The culture of drinking coffee is inseparable from the activities of people who need a glass of energizing drink to start the day.
Whether it’s because we’re too busy or the amount of coffee served, we may need more time to finish it. This is why we are forced to store it until it cools down and then reheat it.
Are you one of the people who can relate to this situation? Actually, baristas consider the culture of reheating coffee to be a great sin.
But, of course, this is done by more than one or two people. People like to reheat their coffee on the pretext of being wasteful, and it’s a shame to throw it away.
However, can you reheat coffee? Let’s explore this article to get the definitive answer!
Table of Contents
Can You Reheat Coffee?
Actually, you can reheat cold coffee. However, there are two things you should keep in mind while doing the process:
- Reheated coffee will lose its original flavor.
- Avoid warming coffee that has been sitting for more than a day. This can cause it to taste less good and can even interfere with your digestive health.
Can you reheat coffee the next day? Yes, you can reheat coffee the next day as long as it has been stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Apart from changing the flavor, warming coffee that has been left at room temperature for more than 12 hours will actually invite bacteria that interfere with the health of the drinker.
So, if the question is, can you reheat day old coffee? The answer depends on how you store it.
Also read: What to Do With Old Coffee Beans: 15 Clever Ways to Use It
Does Coffee Taste Different After Reheating?
As answered above, the flavor of the coffee will change after warming. However, what exactly is the reason behind this? The process of reheating coffee will change the chemical components in coffee. This is why the flavor is also different.
The oils in the coffee that have been oxidized and the acidic taste that has been contaminated with air make this drink bitter and sour, which is not pleasant. The aroma of the coffee will also be different because the components are reduced, along with the release of hot steam.
Does Reheating Coffee Lose Caffeine?
Some people are afraid of losing the caffeine content in their coffee after heating their coffee. The question is: is it true that this content is reduced?
Fortunately, reheated coffee still has the same caffeine content as the first time it was served! This is because it is stable and easily recovered, including during the roasting and reheating process.
On the other hand, the concentration of caffeine compounds in your cup of coffee may increase slightly due to the reduction of some of the water volume. Whether stable or increased, this amount will depend on how much of the coffee liquid evaporates.
Some Ways to Reheat Coffee
After getting answers to some of the above statements, especially can you reheat coffee, it’s time we move on to the methods of heating coffee that can be applied. There are five ways you can do this, ranging from simply pouring hot water to using a cafe-style warming plate.
1. Hot Milk or Water
Warm the cold coffee with hot milk or water. After that, remember to stir it well. This method is quite practical but effective for rebalancing the taste of cold coffee without losing its original flavor.
2. Microwave
Can you reheat coffee in the microwave? The answer is yes. However, the authentic flavor may turn out to be more bitter. It’s easy: place your cup of coffee in the microwave and heat it for 30-60 seconds.
3. The Stovetop
Another way to warm coffee is with a pot and stove. You need to pour the coffee into the pot and then heat it on the stove. A low flame is enough to warm the coffee effectively.
Stir gently until the coffee is warm again, then pour it back into the heat-proof glass. Compared to the microwave heating method, the flavor of your coffee can be better preserved if heated in this way.
4. Steam Wand
Do you have an espresso machine that comes with a steam wand? Well, you can use it to reheat your coffee. Pour all the coffee into a cup and dip the steam wand into the cup to warm it up. This method is quite similar to the way baristas warm milk for latte drinks.
Also read: The Top 10 Coffee Makers in the USA: Which is Your Pick?
5. On A Warming Plate
The last way to heat cold coffee is with a warming plate, a special device that you usually find in some cafes. Just place a cup of coffee on the device, then the coffee will warm up automatically.
How to Prevent Coffee from Getting Cold?
Now that you have a complete guide on how to heat your coffee, you need to know how to prevent this from happening again. Let’s follow these tips:
1. Brew A Small Batch
It’s a good idea to brew coffee in small batches that are about what you can afford. This way, there will be no more cases of coffee getting cold from sitting for too long! You can always enjoy your coffee at its best without having to reheat it.
2. Use a Thermal Cup
Second, pour your coffee into a thermos cup or insulated tumbler. Both of these cups are designed so that the temperature of the drink can be maintained for a long time. No more rushing to finish your coffee while it’s warm!
3. Switched to Iced Coffee
Finally, if you often forget to finish your hot coffee, consider switching your daily coffee to iced coffee. Brew your coffee as usual, then put it in the fridge for a while. Now, you’re ready to enjoy fresh, cold coffee!
Enjoy Warm, Quality Coffee with the Best Coffee Beans from FnB Coffee
Through this article, you should have understood the best answer to the question: can you reheat coffee? While it’s not the best option, it can still be enjoyed as long as you apply the right heating practices.
That said, keeping coffee fresh and warm is still the best solution. Want to have the best coffee experience? Start by getting quality coffee beans like the ones available at FnB Coffee!
We offer a wide selection of premium coffee beans from Indonesia. With the perfect flavor and aroma, you are guaranteed to have a different coffee experience than usual. Head over to the FnB Coffee website, choose our best-selling beans, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every day!