Introduction
Ah, the age-old question: is it safe to put hot coffee in the fridge? The answer, of course, is yes. But if you’re really curious about why this is or what happens when you do it, read on. In this article we’ll explore what happens when you cool down your coffee and whether or not there’s any reason not to do so if that’s what you’d like to do.
Cooling down your coffee is a bit of a conundrum.
When you pour a piping hot cup of coffee into the fridge, you’re hoping it will cool down quickly enough to be drinkable by the time you get back from work. But what if that plan doesn’t work out?
You could just put your mug in the freezer and let it sit there until its contents have reached room temperature. But then when you take it out again, there’s no guarantee that they’ll stay cold enough for long enough–your drink may end up tasting watered down and flat by the time you get around to drinking it. Or worse: You might get an ice cream headache!
The answer, however, is no. Technically, you shouldn’t cool down hot coffee by putting it in the fridge.
The answer, however, is no. Technically, you shouldn’t cool down hot coffee by putting it in the fridge. Coffee absorbs odors and flavors from other foods that are stored in there, which can change its taste.
If you’re craving cold brew but don’t have time to make it yourself (or if you just want something different), there are plenty of ways to chill out your drink without resorting to refrigeration:
- Put ice cubes in the cup before adding hot java (this will keep things colder longer).
- Add some milk or cream–it makes a difference! Just remember not to overdo it on these ingredients; they’ll dilute the flavor too much if added too early or too generously.
- If all else fails… just wait! Your drink should cool down eventually–just give it some time on its own before drinking it straight from the pot
But if you really want to do it anyway
If you really want to do it anyway, there are a few ways to prevent your coffee from getting too cold. One is to pour hot coffee into an insulated thermos or pot and add ice until it’s the right temperature. You could also add cold water to the coffee and stir, which will help bring down its temperature before adding more hot liquid or ice cubes. If none of those options sound appealing to you, try pouring your drink over ice instead–that way at least some of it will stay warm!
The reason why you shouldn’t cool down hot coffee in the fridge is that you can actually ruin the taste.
The reason why you shouldn’t cool down hot coffee in the fridge is that you can actually ruin the taste. The reason for this is a chemical reaction called the Maillard reaction, which can occur when food is stored at low temperatures.
The Maillard reaction occurs when sugars and amino acids react with each other under heat and/or pressure to create new compounds that add flavor, color, and aroma to foods (1). It’s responsible for making your favorite steak taste amazing when cooked on high heat; it also gives bread its golden crusts when baked at high temperatures over several hours (2).
It’s also going to go stale faster, since cold air will “steal” some of its flavor.
It’s also going to go stale faster, since cold air will “steal” some of its flavor.
In fact, you should never store coffee in the fridge at all. Instead, keep your beans in an airtight container at room temperature (or in a cool pantry). This will help keep them fresh for much longer than if they were stored in the cold environment of your refrigerator.
There are better ways to cool down your coffee without putting it in the fridge.
If the answer to “Can you put hot coffee in the fridge?” is yes, then there are better ways to cool down your drink without putting it in the refrigerator.
- Put it in a bowl of ice water. This will cool down the coffee faster than if you just left it on its own and let nature take its course; it’s also easier than trying to find an extra-large bowl that can fit around a pint or quart container.
- Pour over ice cubes for an even faster effect. If you don’t have any already made up, feel free to use our handy guide on how best way freeze ice cubes at home!
- Freeze some water until solid before adding them into your mug–this method takes less time than using actual ice cubes because they melt more slowly (and won’t dilute your drink). Just remember not add any milk until after everything has been fully thawed out again so as not risk ruining anything else nearby due to condensation forming inside those containers!
Conclusion
So, should you put hot coffee in the fridge? No. The best way to cool down your drink is by adding ice or putting it on the countertop for a few minutes, but if you really want to do it anyway then go ahead and try our tips.