Does Espresso Go Bad? How to Tell and What to Do If It Does
published on: 2022-05-10
If you’re a coffee lover, you’ve probably asked yourself at one point or another does espresso go bad? How do you know if it has gone bad and what should you do if it has?
The answer is yes, it can go bad.
However, it does not go bad as quickly as some other types of coffee.
The flavor and texture of espresso shots don’t deteriorate over time, but their taste and consistency do. Although the body and crema of the shot start to mix, changing the flavor significantly, this does not imply that the coffee has expired.
It’s still perfectly drinkable, but not as good as a fresh espresso.
How to recognise espresso that has gone bad?
The main sign that your espresso has gone bad is that it will have a sour or vinegary taste.
There are a few more signs to look for:
The color of the espresso beans will change from a deep brown to a lighter brown.
The smell of the espresso beans will be different. They may smell sour or have no smell at all.
The taste of the espresso will be different. It may taste weak or have no flavor at all.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to throw out your espresso and start fresh with new beans.
Unfortunately you can’t really save an espresso that has gone bad. What is gone is gone and can’t be recovered.
You can try to use that espresso to make some kind of drink like a latte or cappuccino, but it’s not going to taste very good.
How to store beans for espresso?
The best way to store espresso beans is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. You don’t need to put your coffee beans into a fridge or a freezer, but it’s a good thing if they’re not in direct sunlight or next to your stove where they’ll be subject to heat.
You can also freeze espresso beans or grinds to extend their shelf life. Just make sure to thaw them out completely before using them. This should be done only if you think you won’t use all the coffee within six months.
Do this if you want better espresso
Here are a few things you can do to get better espresso:
Use freshly ground beans
Use filtered or bottled water
Use a quality espresso machine that is properly maintained
Don’t store your coffee beans for more than six months.
By following these tips, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible espresso every time.
And if you get a bad espresso somewhere in a cafe, you can ask them to make you a new one. If you do ask for a new one, please tell the barista what was wrong with your espresso so they can try to pull the next espresso in a different way. If you don’t like that espresso either, perhaps it’s a good idea to go for espresso elsewhere in the future.
Filed under: espresso