Few things are more universally loved than a fresh cup of espresso. So, naturally, this leads a lot of people to wonder how long espresso will stay good. Another question people typically have is how to extend the life of their espresso. There are several different aspects we can look at to help you maximize the life of your espresso, and we will explore them in this article.
What is the Average Lifespan of Espresso?
Before we can answer this question, you need to determine if you will be storing espresso beans, ground espresso beans, or brewed espresso. Espresso beans have the longest shelf life by far, while brewed espresso won’t last very long at all.
If you store espresso beans properly, which we will explain later in this article, they will stay fresh for several weeks. Depending on how you store ground espresso it can also last for 2-3 weeks. Brewed espresso is only good for a day or two depending on how you store it and what you put in it.
Espresso Beans
Buying espresso beans and storing them whole will give you the best results if you are concerned about keeping your espresso around for a while. Of course, this will require a little more work when it comes time to brew your espresso.
You can not brew espresso using whole beans, you will need to grind them before you are able to use them. Essentially, the trade off is losing a little convenience for extended freshness.
If you do decide to purchase your espresso as whole beans, storage is simple. The bag you purchased your espresso beans in will likely not be great for longer term storage. An airtight container is recommended. Once you transfer your espresso beans into the airtight container you’ll want to store it in a dry, cool cabinet.
Of course, the other thing you can do to make sure you always have fresh beans is buy smaller amounts of espresso beans. Buying one to two weeks worth of espresso beans should ensure that you always have fresh beans if you store them properly.
Ground Espresso Beans
While it won’t stay fresh for as long as whole espresso beans, you can still store ground espresso for 3-4 weeks under certain conditions. To get the best results you’ll want to store your ground espresso in the fridge just after you grind it.
You’ll want to store it in an airtight container as well. It is worth noting though, if you do store your ground espresso in the fridge you will want to pull your grounds out 30 minutes before you plan on brewing it. Allowing the grounds to come to room temperature will produce a better brew.
Storing Brewed Espresso
It is strongly recommended that you not store your espresso after you brew it. That’s not to say that you can’t, but espresso will not last long at all after you brew it. If you put your brewed espresso in the fridge without adding any dairy to it, it will last for about a day.
Some people claim espresso can last up to two days in the fridge, but you’re really rolling the dice trying to store your brewed espresso that long. With how little effort it takes to make espresso, it’s not worth compromising the taste of your drink just to save a few minutes a day or two down the line.
Espresso was meant to be enjoyed fresh. While it will last in the fridge for a little bit, it will quickly impact how good your espresso is. That being said, some coffee shops have been known to brew batches of espresso in the morning for use in cold coffee drinks throughout the course of the day. In that case, you aren’t really tasting the espresso anyways so it doesn’t make that much of a difference.
Espresso Beans vs Coffee Beans
When it comes to maximizing freshness, it’s worth taking a look at how espresso beans stack up against coffee beans. It is recommended that you store espresso beans the same way you store coffee beans. Both should be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
The only real difference between the two is the length of time the beans will stay fresh. Coffee beans will stay fresh for about a week if left at room temperature where espresso beans will stay fresh for about five days.
What Happens if Espresso Goes Bad?
In bean form, espresso goes bad when it starts to become stale. The stale beans will lose most of their flavor, and in turn the beans will begin producing a very bitter coffee. Over time the stale beans can even start to produce an extremely unpleasant, sour cup of coffee.
For espresso that has already been brewed, it starts to go bad as it gets colder. Once the brewed espresso gets cold it loses a lot of its flavor. Eventually, the crema on the surface of the espresso will dissolve and your espresso will become a cup of cold sludge.
Conclusion
Espresso can last for a few weeks depending on how you store it. You can store it in the fridge, though it is not recommended for brewed espresso. Keep in mind that, while it can be stored in the fridge, expresso was definitely meant to be enjoyed fresh.
And with how little effort it takes to make a cup of espresso, it just isn’t worth it to spend a few short minutes making espresso just to store it for several days.
