How Long Can Coffee Sit Out? (What happens to coffee if left to sit out + more information)
You’ve probably brewed your coffee, then gotten distracted by your to-do list. Four hours later, you stare at your cold cup and wonder, how long can coffee sit out?
I love preparing myself a hot cup of coffee every morning. Sometimes though, I forget all about it once I pour it into a cup because of the pending activities I usually have to handle every morning. When I take the then cold brew hours later, I find it off-putting with a weird taste. Several other coffee lovers also share my habit and wonder whether drinking it hours later is healthy. This article, done after my research, will assist them in knowing how long they can handle brewed coffee. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
What happens if coffee is left to sit out?
Coffee loses its flavor.
Coffee has highly volatile aromatic compounds that oxidize very fast and quickly when they come in contact with oxygen. The process occurs faster when there are high temperatures. This leads to a loss of flavor. This is why even as it takes 30 minutes to cool off, you can notice the difference in taste and flavor.
Milk in the coffee will go wrong.

If you love your coffee with a splash of milk, then you can only let it sit out for up to 2 hours. However, this will depend on the temperature. Scientists agree that it is safe to consume milk at 40 °F but also insist that bacteria begin to increase when exposed to this temperature. This is why coffee left for over 2 hours that was 40 °F should be avoided. If it has an even higher temperature of 90 °F or higher, it should be tossed away within an hour.
Coffee oils will become rancid.
As with your aroma compounds, your coffee oils will also go rancid if your beverage sits out. Four hours from exposure to your coffee, its oils start to go wrong. When coffee oils come into contact with oxygen, rancidification takes place. This leads to a change in flavor and taste. It can also cause free radicals to form, affecting human health.
Can you drink coffee that is left to sit out for a day?
If you leave your plain black coffee to sit out for 24 hours, it is still safe to drink, although it won’t taste as good as it would when immediately brewed. More so, your beverage will leave a sour taste in your mouth. The good thing is that your caffeine will remain stable, so you can still get the caffeine kick you always want.
Does coffee leave to sit out taste different?

Absolutely! Coffee that sits out loses its original taste. The volatile aromatic compounds in the coffee get oxidized when in contact with oxygen. This, in turn, leads to a loss of flavor. It will become bitter and even taste stale.
How long can coffee with cream last if left to sit out?
Coffee with creamers left to sit out can be left for up to 2 hours. This applies to whether it is at room temperature or a high temperature. This is because the bacteria in dairy products grow even more rapidly when the temperatures are high. If you store your coffee with cream in a refrigerator, its lifespan increases to a day or two. Still, when you take it out to drink, smell it to confirm that it hasn’t gone stale. The best method would be to add fresh milk to your already-brewed coffee every time you want to drink it.
FAQ Section
Can you drink coffee the next day?
If you are not keen on the taste and flavor of your coffee, then you can still drink it after a day. The beverage will still be safe for consumption; it will just not be the same. Just ensure it stays at room temperature.
How long will coffee last in the fridge?
As long as your brewed coffee is stored in an airtight container before putting it in the fridge, it can last for 3 to 4 days. It will be safe for drinking, although it will have lost its taste and flavor.
Is it safe to drink coffee with milk after 24 hours?
No, coffee with milk can only last for up to 2 hours if it sits at room temperature. Afterward, this drink will not be suitable for drinking, as bacteria will have grown in it, and it will likely make you sick. If stored for 24 hours, this drink will have gone wrong. It can only go for a day or two if kept in the fridge in an airtight container. However, this is not the best coffee to consume, and it would be advisable to only leave black coffee to sit out.