Yes, you can reheat coffee with milk but observe safety precautions before you lose the whole cup on the stove or infect yourself with some bacteria. Note tea poisoning can happen to anyone regardless of age.
However, adults over 65 are more exposed to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not as strong as they once were. Their bodies take time to get rid of germs and bacteria. Older adults produce less stomach acid, meaning bacteria may not die in the stomach. Almost half of adults over 65 years old end up hospitalized if they contract a foodborne illness like salmonella.
Practice safety precautions to avoid getting sick. Warm it up in a saucepan on the stove but if you want to reheat your coffee in the microwave, make sure that it is a hot brew and not a cold brew. If it has dairy, throw it out in an hour or two and start again with a fresh cup. For more heating options and tips, read the instructions below.
Microwave
You can use the microwave to reheat coffee with milk but note that microwaves do not heat food evenly. Expect some cold spots because the food heats up from the outside. That is quite inconvenient as it becomes a health hazard (medicalxpress.com).
These cold spots in your food accommodate pockets of bacteria that do not die after a few minutes in the microwave. Do not be tempted to ignore the cold spots.
Unlike plain black coffee, which is safe to drink, even if it has been out for a few hours. Of course, it will not taste great, but it will not have much impact on your immune system. The problems start when you add milk or creamer to your coffee.
Milk is a perishable product that should not sit out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. In the summer, just one hour outside the fridge is enough for bacteria to grow. Reheating coffee with milk in the microwave can become a recipe for disaster. The dairy gives rise to bacteria in your mug, and the microwave will not heat that cup evenly enough to destroy all of it.
The microwave is the fastest reheating method, but it alters the flavor of the coffee. Since the chemical composition of coffee changes as the coffee gets cold, the microwave and the chemical composition will change even further when using the microwave.
Steps
- Change the power settings to use medium heat for about 1 minute.
- Keep heating it in 30-second increments until it is the ideal temperature to avoid the coffee from burning.
- Make sure your coffee is in a microwave-safe mug. Adjust your power settings and heat for 1 minute, then 30 seconds at a time.
- Drink.
Warming plate
You can reheat your coffee the next day by placing a coffee carafe with cold coffee on the coffee machine and turning on a hot plate. That is the least efficient reheating method to reheat coffee as it takes a long time to warm. Moreover, this method has the highest potential for burning coffee.
The hot plate functions by heating into the lower layers of the coffee liquid, but it does not reach the higher layers. Hot plates maintain the temperature at a constant level. Follow the steps above.
Steam wand
Using a steam wand to warm coffee is a creative method (fullcoffeeroast.com). It involves using the steam wand of your coffee machine. Try espresso machines to reheat coffee, but it may impact the taste of the coffee. The flavor can be strange. Turn off the coffee maker once done brewing. Do not let your coffee continue to heat for a long time.
Steps
- Heat water until it is steaming, but not boiling before you add it to your coffee.
- When boiling, wait a few minutes before pouring it out.
- Be careful with the mug as it heats up.
Best method
Reheating coffee on the stove is the best method, but be careful not to burn the coffee. Maintain minimal heat and keep stirring the coffee. However, this method takes time and attention, and it would be faster to brew new coffee than reheat the old one.
Keep an eye on your cup. Add sugar to get rid of any bitterness. Use flavored creamer to remove any bad taste. Do not reheat coffee sitting out for more than four hours because the oils will have gone bad, and heat may make the taste and quality awful.
Steps
- Pour your coffee into a small pot.
- Put it on the burner, on low heat.
- Keep stirring
- Let the coffee heat up until steam rises from it. Do not let it boil.
- Transfer the coffee back into your cup and drink up.
Storage
Store it in an airtight container when it has cooled down. That maintains the aroma and the flavor of the coffee and keeps it safe from bacteria in the fridge.
Safe Temperatures
The safe temperature for coffee heating is 180℉. Coffee should be hot, but not too hot. The tea temperature affects taste because coffee that is too hot turns bitter. Coffee that is too cold will have a flat flavor far from the fresh one. The ideal temperature differs depending on one’s preference. Prevent your coffee from burning or becoming bitter.
FAQs
Can you use a smart mug?
You can avoid the cold pockets from the microwave by investing in a smart mug. Smart mugs are temperature-controlled cups that keep your coffee at the exact temperature of your preference. These mugs are hand-washable, making them user-friendly.
The standard cup has a one to two-hour battery life. That is enough time to enjoy your coffee at your desired temperature for more than half an hour. If you do not like using high-tech gadgets, you can invest in an insulated travel mug. You still have your coffee piping hot while you are on the go.
Should you reheat the coffee?
Yes, you can reheat the coffee. When it comes to reheating coffee, do not reheat coffee if coffee is for an extended period. It cannot be more than two hours. You can reheat coffee if coffee gets cold after a short period due to taste, quality, and higher chances of contamination. Reheat with caution.
Why should you not reheat coffee with milk?
The chemical composition of coffee changes as coffee gets cold and changes its taste. Cold coffee will have a more acidic taste than hot coffee, but when you reheat cold coffee, that chemical composition changes more. That changes the taste of your coffee further away from its original quality. The coffee becomes undrinkable for real coffee fans.
You can still reheat with caution if your coffee drink has been left outside for an extended period. Coffee can catch mold and bacteria if left out for a whole day. Keep it sealed in a thermal recipient if you wish to have it later.