Can You Microwave Coffee? Ranking the Ways To Reheat It
We’ve all had busy mornings where our beloved coffee has gone cold. It’s all too easy to take a few sips and start focusing on a task, forgetting all about the rest of our magical elixir. You might be tempted to just throw your coffee in the microwave to heat it back up (don’t worry, we’ve all done it) — but is that really the best way to heat up your coffee?
Microwaving your coffee might be the most convenient method, but it also has some downsides that you should know about. Read on to learn everything you need to know about microwaving coffee, as well as a ranked list of alternative reheating methods.
Is It Safe To Microwave Coffee?
In general, it’s safe to reheat coffee in the microwave. However, watch the temperature of your coffee and your mug to make sure you don’t accidentally burn yourself when you take it out.
That said, you might want to think twice about microwaving your coffee if you’ve added cream or sugar to it. Milk really shouldn’t sit outside of the fridge for more than two hours, so if it’s been that long, you’re better off tossing your coffee instead of trying to reheat it.
How Does Microwaving Affect Coffee’s Taste?
One of the main things that contributes to the rich, earthy taste of coffee is aromatic oils and volatile compounds. These volatile compounds have a much lower boiling point than water, which can cause them to quickly evaporate once the coffee is poured.
This is why the flavor of coffee changes as it gets colder. The breakdown of these molecules can cause coffee to lose its rich, toasty aroma, and it can also cause coffee to develop a more acidic, bitter taste (especially if you heat it past 130℉). Reheating the coffee won’t restore the flavor — instead, it can actually increase the flavor degradation.
6 Ways To Reheat Coffee, Ranked
So, microwaving can technically affect the taste of coffee, but it won’t do much more damage than leaving your coffee out to cool. That said, there is still the issue of uneven reheating, which can cause you to burn your tongue or allow bacteria to grow. And, while we love coffee, we don’t love the stomach aches that come with drinking a cup that’s been left out too long.
We’re all about having options, which is why we’ve taken the time to research six coffee reheating methods and rank them from best to worst. Let’s dive in!
1. Stovetop
This method provides more control over temperature, which means you’re less likely to get the charcoal-like taste of burnt coffee. It heats your coffee evenly without breaking down its oils and compounds as quickly as a microwave does.
To reheat your coffee on the stove, heat coffee gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching and heat it evenly until it reaches your desired temperature. As you heat it up, take some time to breathe in the delicious aroma — it can actually help you feel calmer!
This method may take longer and require more attention compared to other methods. However, it’s all worth it in the end, as this is the top method for reheating coffee
2. Hot Water Bath
A hot water bath provides gentle, even heating and avoids sudden chemical changes in the coffee. You’re also less likely to burn your coffee this way.
To try it for yourself, place a mug of coffee in a larger bowl of hot water. Stir the coffee occasionally to distribute the heat. Alternatively, you can place the coffee in a heatproof container and submerge it partially in a pot of warm water on the stovetop.
This method can take time to set up and can be a little overkill if you’re only reheating a small cup of coffee. But, if you’re reheating an entire mug or thermos of coffee, this method works really well.
3. Microwave
Microwaving is extremely quick and convenient, which makes it a go-to for many people on busy mornings. That said, it can affect the taste and safety of your coffee, which bumps it back a few places on this list.
If you do need to microwave your coffee, use a microwave-safe mug. Heat it in short bursts (15 to 30 seconds at medium power), stirring between bursts to distribute the heat. If you want to get really technical, you can use a food thermometer to keep the temperature below 130℉.
4. Adding Fresh Coffee
This method avoids reheating altogether, preserving the fresh taste of newly brewed coffee. It’s one of the best methods for coffee snobs (we say that with affection) who love the pure taste of coffee. To try it for yourself, brew a small amount of your favorite medium roast (or any other roast you prefer) and mix it with your leftover cold coffee.
Obviously, this method has some major drawbacks. First, it requires you to brew more coffee, at which point you might as well just drink the fresh coffee. Second, it changes the flavor profile of your coffee since some of it will be old.
However, it’s much easier to use this method when making a fresh cup of coffee is as simple as combining coffee powder and hot water. Our Mushroom Coffee+ is ready to drink as soon as you pour in hot water and give it a stir. The coffee extract provides a robust coffee flavor while functional mushrooms give you the lift you’ve been looking for.
5. Electric Mug
Have you truly experienced luxury if you haven’t used an electric mug to keep your coffee warm? This method is great for maintaining the temperature of your coffee and avoiding the flavor changes that come with repeated reheating. That said, it won’t fully reheat old coffee.
6. Skip the Stress, Opt for Iced
Sometimes, it’s best to just give up and make the best of what you have. If your coffee has gone completely cold, you can skip reheating it altogether by adding ice, milk, or a splash of cream to create an iced coffee. If you’d like, you can even add extra syrups to sweeten the deal.
This method completely sidesteps the risk of ruining the coffee’s flavor, but it obviously won’t work if you’re really craving a hot cup of joe. That said, there’s a special value to saving yourself the stress and just covering up the loss of flavor with some syrup and ice.
The Bottom Line
If you’re running late but can’t stand the bitterness of cold coffee, you can always microwave it. However, there are some other options you can try if you have the time and patience for them.
Generally, the best way to preserve the cozy aroma of coffee is to reheat it on the stove or in a hot water bath. If you do need to use the microwave, reheat your coffee in intervals of 30 seconds and stir it in between each interval.
At Everyday Dose, we know how important flavor and aroma are to the overall coffee experience. That’s why our mushroom coffee features coffee extract. You can keep all the things you love about coffee while still enjoying a low-caf lifestyle (and have we mentioned the functional mushrooms?). To learn more about the science of coffee, visit our blog today.
Sources:
How Long Can Milk Sit Out? | Cooking School | Food Network
Characterization of the Aroma Profile and Main Key Odorants of Espresso Coffee | PMC
The calming effect of roasted coffee aroma in patients undergoing dental procedures | PMC
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