How To Reheat Coffee

If you’re about to throw out a hot coffee gone cold, hold tight, because there are a few ways to reheat and reuse coffee.

Whether you’re a coffee lover or wondering if you can reheat coffee without ruining it, the good news is that there are multiple ways to reheat coffee which can help you save a serving.

Although you cannot beat the taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee, I’m sure you have been in the situation when you need to throw out a coffee because it has gone cold, or you don’t have time to drink it.

In this article, we’ll show you ways to reheat your coffee.

Ideal Temperature of Coffee

It’s important first to understand and to pay close attention to the temperature of your coffee because it plays an integral role in how the coffee beans are extracted.

Getting this step right can play an important role in not only enjoying a fresh coffee but also reheating it effectively.

For example, if the temperature is too hot, your coffee will taste far too bitter, and it may not be an enjoyable experience.

On the other hand, if the coffee is made with water that’s cold or not hot enough, it will taste flat and even worse.

As a result, when making a coffee at home, it’s best advised to wait for 5 to 8 minutes after the water is boiled which can help heat up it up to the ideal temperature.

Furthermore, in terms of the temperature served in the coffee shops, it’s often around 180°F / 82°C.

The Best Way to Reheat Coffee

Reheating coffee largely depends on the type of coffee bean and how it has been roasted in the first place because this impacts the flavor.

When you reheat the coffee, the flavor will undoubtedly change, but you might not notice too much of a difference with some types of coffee, whereas it will be noticeable for other types.

One way you can tell is from the aroma because that will indicate whether it will taste good or not when reheated.

If there’s still a strong sense of aroma, the reheated coffee will taste just like coffee, but a complete loss of aroma indicates it will taste very flat.

Before you reheat your coffee, it’s important to also understand the basics of food storage because bacteria grow on coffee when left out overnight which is why it’s because to follow the two-hour rule.

How To Reheat Coffee on Stovetop

The best way to reheat your morning cup of coffee gone cold is by using the stovetop which allows you to control the temperature to perfection.

  1. Simply pour your cold coffee into a saucepan.
  2. Heat it on medium-low heat which allows it to heat at a controlled temperature.
  3. Don’t let it boil but instead allow it to steam for 6 to 8 minutes.
  4. Pour into your cup and enjoy.

How To Reheat Coffee in a Microwave

If you’re looking for a quicker solution, which can be ideal if you’re at work, using the microwave to reheat coffee can work, but instructions may vary depending on the temperature.

  1. Ensure you’re using a microwave-safe mug to reheat your cold coffee.
  2. If possible, adjust the microwave heat settings to medium.
  3. Reheat every 30 seconds until the coffee reaches your desired temperature.

Can You Reheat Coffee in a Coffee Maker

You shouldn’t reheat coffee in a coffee maker because these types of gadgets are specifically designed to keep your coffee warm and prevent it from going cold.

The heating plate will not be effective enough to reheat your coffee because it will not reach the temperature to create the desired heat.

Having said that, using a coffee maker can be an effective solution to not worry about needing to reheat your coffee when it goes cold because the heating plates are designed to keep it warm for an extended period of time.

Alternative Solution to Reheating Coffee

Before throwing out your cold coffee, you can instantly turn it into a refreshing iced coffee beverage which can be ideal on hot summer days.

Simply, add the cold coffee to a glass and add ice. You can also add cream or sweeteners like honey to add flavor.

Is it bad to reheat coffee?

If left overnight or the whole day in room temperature, it will be bad to reheat coffee because of the bacteria growth, and as a result, you should throw it out.

However, if your coffee has gone cold within a few hours, it’s perfectly fine to reheat coffee, but the results will vary depending on factors such as the type of coffee, how it was brewed, etc.

Does reheating coffee destroy caffeine?

No, reheating coffee will not destroy caffeine.

Although there’s no definitive answer, many nutrition experts agree that reheating coffee will not destroy caffeine as it’s a very stable compound.

However, it’s possible that the beverage can be ruined by overheating the coffee which would be difficult to drink.

Can You Reheat Coffee Using A coffee mug warmer?

No, you shouldn’t reheat coffee in a mug warmer, in much similar vein to reheating coffee in a coffee maker.

These gadgets are specifically designed to keep the coffee warm for extended periods of time and prevent it from going cold.

Attempting to reheat a cold cup of coffee in a mug warmer will not work simply because the heat plates are not hot enough to generate the right amount of heat.

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