How Can You Tell If Your Cold Brew Is Bad? 4 Warning Signs To Look Out For

Cold brew coffee is becoming increasingly popular among coffee drinkers. It is refreshing on a hot summer day because it is often milder and less acidic than traditional black coffee.

So, how can you tell if your cold brew has gone bad? Keep an eye out for the following four indicators:

• Is there any mould growing?
• Does it taste bland and stale?
• Do you feel less energised after drinking it?
• Is it more acidic than it was before?

The most obvious method is to simply look for mould. If mould is growing in the jar, there's no need for me to tell you to throw it out! However, mould growth is only the last stage of rancidification. Overall, if the flavour is not the same as when it was freshly brewed, it has gone bad, and you should STOP drinking it.

Just keep reading to find out how long cold brew can last and how to store it.

How Long can Cold Brew last?

While mould is the obvious answer to the question of how to tell if your cold brew is bad, there are other factors to consider. For any store-bought cold brew, you should usually stick to the best buy date.

How Long Can Cold Brew last in the Fridge?

Cold brew made at home can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 14 days if properly refrigerated. Remember that it will become more stale and flavourless with each passing day, and you will eventually see mould all over the jar and lid.

How Long Can Room Temperature Cold Brew Last?

Cold brew can spoil in a matter of hours if left on the counter. This is because the oxidation process is accelerated at room temperature. Once you've finished brewing, open the lid and begin drinking it; the clock is ticking until your cold brew has lost all of its organic materials, a.k.a. the aroma.

I can't emphasise this enough, and I'll say it again: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR COLD BREW IN THE ROOM TEMPERATURE!

What Else Can Cause Cold Brew to Go Bad Faster?

If you add sugar or milk to the cold brew, it will only last a few hours before going bad. It is recommended that you only add milk or sugar to the glass you are about to drink from, rather than to the entire jar or bottle of cold brew.

However, whether or not your cold brew is bad may be entirely dependent on you. To the more discerning coffee drinker, cold brew can start to taste stale. If your cold brew no longer tastes good to you, it's time to get rid of it.

How Long Will Bottled Cold Brew Keep?

t can last a long time if it is unopened and purchased from a store. If properly manufactured, bottled cold brew can last 6 months to a year. Nitrogen flushing our growlers at our coffee shop helps to combat oxidisation. I'm sure a larger company with larger bottling lines does something similar, if not more effectively.

How to Make Longer-Lasting Cold Brew

If you make cold brew at home, there are some things you can do to make it last longer.
Use only freshly ground high-quality coffee beans!

You do not have to purchase coffee beans that are of the highest quality in the coffee industry or that are rare and expensive. All you need to do is make sure you have a decent cup of coffee.

Check to see if your coffee beans have passed their expiration date. While used coffee beans can be used, they will be less potent and taste stale.

Finally, Homemade cold brew is delicious and refreshing. If you only drink a cup or two of cold brew per day, using a smaller cold brew maker will help keep your cold brew from spoiling.

If you drink more than two cups of cold brew per day or if you have a large family, a larger cold brew maker is probably best.

In any case, if you drink your cold brew within 7 days, it will most likely not go bad.

Happy Brewing!