How many sips do you take from your cup of coffee before suddenly you realize it has become cold?
Or rather, how many times have you served yourself a coffee and forgotten about it, only to remember later when it is no longer hot?
This has become a habit that many have fallen victim to. The next time this happens to you, consider reheating your coffee in the microwave, just as illustrated below.
Here is how to reheat coffee in microwave correctly.
First, you need to transfer your coffee to a microwave-safe mug. Then place the mug in the microwave and heat the coffee at medium power for 45 seconds. Remove the mug from the microwave to stir.
Return the mug to the microwave and reheat the coffee again at an interval of 10 seconds or until the coffee is hot enough for you. Remember to stir the coffee after every 10 seconds.
This article gives instructions on how to reheat coffee in the microwave. It begins with a clear assurance on the safety of microwaving coffee, then helpful tips when preparing to reheat coffee, followed by a straightforward step to step procedure of reheating coffee in the microwave. The article ends by giving answers to some of the frequently asked questions.
How safe is it to Reheat Already Brewed Coffee in the Microwave
There is absolutely no known harm linked to reheating coffee in the microwave. What matters is to avoid overheating the coffee since it is made from coffee beans that have been roasted and ground.
When these roasted coffee bean particles are again placed under too much heat, they heat and burn up, turning your coffee into a very bitter drink.
The other most important thing to focus on when reheating coffee in the microwave is identifying how long the coffee you intend to reheat has stayed at room temperature. Reheating coffee that has overstayed at room temperature in the microwave may harm your health.
The material used to make the coffee mug you intend to use while reheating coffee in the microwave also matters greatly. Ensure the mug is made of glass or is microwave safe. Avoid using plastic cups as they melt and mix their contents with the coffee, which eventually causes serious health issues.
Therefore, it is safe to say that there is no harm in reheating coffee in the microwave. If you do not reheat coffee that has overstayed at room temperature, you use a microwave-safe mug and not overheat the coffee. Learn also how to make tea in the microwave.
Helpful Tips for Reheating Coffee in a Microwave
Do Not Overheat the Coffee
Always ensure to adjust the heating power of your microwave to low or medium before reheating coffee. Too much heat on coffee is not good; the coffee flavour becomes too bitter for you to enjoy.
Add a Pinch of Salt to Coffee Before Reheating
To avoid the possibility of your coffee having a final bitter taste after reheating, consider adding a pinch of salt to the coffee. The salt will neutralize the bitterness in the coffee.
Do not Allow your Coffee to Stay at Room Temperature for too Long
If you intend to reheat coffee later, it is advisable to store it in the freezer until you are ready to use it again. If you have made too much coffee, consume the portion you intended to use, pour the rest on an ice tray, and store it in the freezer.
If your coffee is made of milk, it shouldn’t be allowed to stay at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to the perishable nature of milk. The longer the coffee lasts at room temperature, the more it oxidizes and loses flavour.
Consider How Long it Has Been Since the Coffee was Brewed
Coffee that has been brewed today and lasted at room temperature for more than two hours should not be reheated and consumed, especially if the coffee was made of milk.
Usual coffee without milk can be frozen for a week and still be reheated and consumed. Coffee that has been frozen longer than the mentioned time is not suitable for human consumption.
Stir the Coffee as you Microwave
Microwave the coffee for 45 seconds, then reheat it again at an interval of 10 seconds. Use a stick or wooden spoon to stir the coffee at the end of every 10-second interval. As you stir, you help distribute heat evenly through the coffee. At this point, make use of your thermometer to keep checking the warmth of the coffee before you return to the microwave for an extra 10 seconds. Refrain from overheating the coffee once the coffee’s internal temperature is at 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Store Reheated Coffee in a Thermos
It is advisable not to reheat coffee more than once. For coffee to turn out the way it is, coffee beans were thoroughly roasted and ground. When these coffee bean particles are returned to the microwave, they continue burning up, giving the coffee a bitter taste. It’s better to store microwaved coffee in a thermos to keep it warm for longer so that you do not have to reheat it again after it goes cold.
Step to Step Process of Reheating Coffee in the Microwave
The following guideline will guide you through the process of reheating coffee using a microwave.
Requirements
- A microwave-safe mug
- Stirrer
- Coffee
- Kitchen thermometer ( optional)
Process
Step One: Transfer the Coffee to a Microwave Safe Mug
Do not reheat your coffee in the original coffee cup bought from the coffee shop. Most of them cannot withstand the heat from the microwave and end up melting and busting in the microwave. It is advisable to transfer the coffee to a microwave-safe mug.
Also, avoid using a plastic cup when reheating coffee in the microwave; usually, plastic cups melt in the microwave releasing harmful chemical substances in your coffee.
Step Two: Adjust the Microwave Settings
Ensure the power level of the microwave is at medium. When the coffee is taken back into the microwave and heated again at high heat, the tiny roasted coffee bean particles in the coffee continue burning, becoming too bitter. Therefore, it is a great idea to reheat the coffee at medium or low temperatures.
Step Three: Reheat the Coffee
Reheat the coffee in the microwave for 45 seconds. Remove the mug from the microwave and stir through the coffee. Return the mug to the microwave and reheat the coffee at an interval of 10 seconds until it reaches the right temperature. The right temperature to serve your coffee is 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Faqs On How to Reheat Coffee in Microwave
Is it okay to reheat coffee in the microwave?
Yes, it is okay to reheat coffee in the microwave. Using a microwave to reheat coffee may temper the taste of the coffee, causing it to be too bitter, but there are no known health issues that are brought about by reheating coffee in the microwave. However, you are always advised to use a microwave-safe mug and avoid microwaving coffee that has overstayed on the kitchen counter for more than 2 hours, especially coffee made of milk.
How long do you reheat coffee in the microwave?
Reheating coffee in a microwave takes 45 seconds to 2 minutes. Microwave the coffee first for 45 seconds, remove the coffee from the microwave and stir. Return the coffee to the microwave and reheat for 10 seconds until it reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s the best way to reheat coffee?
The best and most efficient way to reheat coffee is by using a microwave. Pour the coffee into a microwave-safe mug and place it in the microwave. Ensure the microwaving power is either low or medium. Reheat the coffee for 45 seconds, stir then reheat again at an interval of 10 seconds. Ensure to stir at the end of each interval until the coffee reaches the temperature of your choice. Let the coffee’s temperature not go beyond 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does microwaving coffee destroy caffeine?
No, it does not. Caffeine is not affected by heat. It does not conduct heat nor evaporate. The fact that coffee might taste bitter when microwaved does not mean that caffeine is no longer part of the coffee. Once the coffee is brewed, caffeine stays despite the amount of heat used to reheat it.
Is microwaving coffee bad?
No microwaving coffee is not bad. There is no proven evidence that claims reheating coffee negatively affects your health. The only possible negativity brought about by reheating is the change in taste. When coffee is reheated under too much heat, it becomes a bitter drink. This is usually because of the roasted coffee bean particles that burn when placed in the microwave.
Why does coffee taste bad after microwaving?
When coffee is being produced, the coffee beans are thoroughly roasted and ground into a fine powder used as coffee. It becomes bitter when placed in the microwave, mostly under too much heat. The bitterness results from the roasted coffee bean particles burning when heated in the microwave.
Is it okay to heat up day-old coffee?
No, it is not okay to heat up a day-old coffee. Especially if the coffee was left open on the kitchen counter and exposed to room temperature, coffee should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. A day-old coffee has wholly lost its taste and flavour. However, a day-old coffee stored in the freezer is okay to be reheated.
How do you reheat coffee without burning it?
The best way to reheat coffee without burning it is to monitor the heating power level of the microwave. Reheat coffee at medium heat or at the lowest power level. Also, after reheating the coffee for the first 45 seconds, ensure to stir and keep reheating the coffee at smaller intervals to avoid overheating it.
Is microwaving coffee carcinogenic?
No, microwaving coffee is not carcinogenic. No proven evidence links microwaving coffee to cancer.
Can you reheat a latte in the microwave?
Yes, you can reheat latte in the microwave. Transfer the latte to a microwave-safe mug and place the mag in the microwave. Reheat the latte for 45 seconds, remove the mug from the microwave and stir. Return the latte to the microwave and reheat at an interval of 10 seconds until the latte is warm enough for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible to heat coffee in the microwave. However, too much heat will give you bitter coffee. Therefore, ensure the heat is at a medium or lower level. Reheating coffee in the microwave has no known negative effect on your health.
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