How Long Does Brewed Coffee Stay Fresh?

I'm a coffee drinker. There's nothing better than a cup of fresh, hot Joe to get my engine going in the morning. I'm not a big coffee drinker, so I don't brew a pot unless there's someone else around to help me drink it. Because, once it's made, coffee can go downhill fast. It can turn from fresh to stale in as little as thirty minutes, depending on how it's stored. I know some true java lovers who can heat up coffee that was left in the pot from the day before. When it comes to stale coffee, I'll pass. I think it tastes horrible. If you like your drink fresh like I do, read this informative article and find out the answers to the question, "How Long Does Brewed Coffee Stay Fresh?"

1. Store a Fresh, Open Pot of Brewed Coffee On a Warmer/Burner and...
...it's only going to stay fresh for approximately 30 minutes, according to folgersofficecoffee.com. Because it's stored in an open container that's constantly being heated, the coffee will get stronger and stronger as the water evaporates. The heat will break down the chemical structure and change the taste in other ways too.

If you want to take that a step further, dccoffeeproducts.com says a pot of brewed coffee that's held at a temperature of between 175 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit tastes best when it's enjoyed within one to ten minutes. It's still considered to be "fresh and good" after twenty minutes. Brewed coffee that's twenty to thirty minutes old is "Satisfactory", but after that that, the taste becomes "Questionable".

Now I know why my mother always drank a steaming hot cup of brewed coffee right down. It tastes best right after it's made.

2. Store a Fresh Pot of Brewed Coffee In a Sealed, Airtight Carafe and...
...it will stay fresh longer. I replaced my coffeemaker a few years ago. The old one had an open-top, glass carafe that sat on a warmer/burner. (And the glass carafe kept getting chipped and broken.) The new one has an airtight carafe and no warmer/burner. If you store a pot of brewed coffee in an airtight carafe, it can stay fresh for 45 minutes or more, depending on the performance of the container, according to storehousecoffee.com.

You don't have to replace your open-top coffeemaker to keep your coffee fresh longer. Just buy a thermos or carafe. If you opt for a thermos, make sure it's lined with glass. A plastic-lined thermos doesn't hold heat as well. That, and the plastic can hold odors that can alter the taste of the coffee. If you want a carafe, choose a taller carafe over a short one. The height will increase the amount of coffee that's touching the inner surface. Thus, your brewed coffee will stay warmer longer.

When your pot of coffee has finished brewing, immediately transfer it to the airtight container so it stays fresh longer.

Resources
http://www.folgersofficecoffee.com/office-coffee/faq.aspx#q9
http://dccoffeeproducts.com/inc/Coffee_Brewing_Guide.pdf
http://www.storehousecoffee.com/brewing.html