My kids got me a cold brew coffee maker for Christmas. Basically a 2 quart mason jar with a mesh filter in the middle. I ground some beans and brewed my first batch and it was delicious. However, I only had flavored beans at the time and while it was tasty, I wasn’t going to chug half of a gallon of flavored coffee in one sitting. How long can we keep cold brew in the fridge and still have it retain its peak “freshness” ?
@[email protected] cold brew stays fresh and good for days, I’d say a week at least, I guess you would probably need to worry about the safety factor before the flavour. However in the summer I usually make 1 liter and it get consumed in 4/5 days, but I think it can last more. Of course you need to keep the jar well sealed.
Note that after little time a thin white film starts forming on the surface. That’s totally normal and you shouldn’t worry about it, it is not mold (as it should need much more time to form) but some water and coffee minerals and residuals concentrating on top. It’s not aesthetically appealing but it’s totally safe.i think the film can sometimes be solidified/congealed coffee oil
No instructions??
Assuming you’re brewing 1:5 grounds-to-water and 12-24hr brew time, immersion cold brew brews a concentrate. To serve, you’re supposed to dilute 2-to-4 parts water to one part brew. For example, my brewer holds 10oz coarse-ground coffee and 50oz cold water. Let it sit overnight and then filter out the grounds. To serve, pour 1/4 - 1/3 cup concentrate into a mug, and then fill the rest with boiled water from a kettle (for hot coffee), or just cold milk or water & ice for an iced coffee.
Cold brew keeps in the fridge for at least a week. I had one batch of decaf that was in there for nearly a month, but I was starting to be concerned near the end. One week, easily, though. That’s my usual MO. I brew something like 50 oz at a time and it sits in the fridge for - well, let’s say 5 or maybe 6 days. But I used to brew larger batches and I’d regularly go 10 days with the brew in the fridge, no concern.
Once brewed, in a sealed container it (mostly) stops oxidizing and the flavor doesn’t change. And pure brewed coffee doesn’t have many sugars to feed mould.
TL;DR: in a sealed container in the fridge, at least a week is fine.
I just reread the instructions. Two cups of grounds for two quarts of water. When it’s done it says to pour and enjoy. No mention of diluting it but you’re right that it’s a bit strong at this point. But smooooth! ☕️🧊
Instructions were pretty vague. In fact, I’ve been drinking it straight (on ice) … full strength. Apparently it is supposed to be a concentrate? 🫠
Yeah. I mean, I don’t know the exact product and process you’re using, but most cold brew systems produce a concentrate. Odds are, you’re drinking cold espresso.
Sure did taste good, though. 😅
I have a similar cold brew setup, and I generally don’t let it sit in the fridge for more than a few days. It would probably last up to a week in there though. Definitely don’t let it warm up though; it won’t last more than a day if it’s at room temp.
Do you also dilute your cold brew after it’s done resting in the fridge?
definitely keep it cold in the fridge, mold does grow in coffee. we’ve kept it for a week in the fridge but not longer. does steadily lose its character over that time.
For sure… i’ve kept it in the fridge and the container is air tight. I just wasn’t sure how long it would last in there.
