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Starting the day with espresso is a familiar habit for many of us. Not only does it excite the senses with a strong flavor, smooth taste, and rich aroma it has another great benefit: caffeine.
When answering how long does espresso last, the first thing we have to do is understand whether that means when drinking it or storing it for later use. Long story short, we decided to answer both!
How Long Does Espresso Last In Your System? The Quick Answer
Once consumed, espresso stays in the system for approximately 5 to 7 hours. During this time, the effects of caffeine will occur. There is a range of factors that can influence how espresso is felt, so the effects can last a shorter or longer amount of time. These factors include:
- Age
- Potency
- Body weight
- Personal reaction to caffeine
How Long Does Espresso Last When Stored In the Fridge? The Quick Answer
Espresso can be stored in a fridge for roughly half a day (10 hours); however, there are some rules when it’s time to drink it. Firstly, the shot of espresso should only be used for cold coffee drinks after storage. If not, the flavor will be vile.
If you’re wanting to add the espresso to a warm drink or simply drink it on its own after it has been chilled for a few hours, we highly recommend pouring another one.
Other Vital Points to Remember About Drinking Espresso
We’ve covered the basics of understanding how long an espresso lasts, but there is much more to discuss. For example, do you know how much your daily intake of caffeine should be? If not, you could get yourself into trouble! And no, we’re not talking about a slap on the wrist from your mom – we’re talking about body issues.
So keep reading as we answer that in a lot more detail.
How Much Espresso Should You Drink Daily?
Consuming too much espresso can lead to caffeine side effects. Have you ever felt jittery after quite a few shots of espresso or cups of coffee? This is just one of many side effects that can happen.
The FDA recommends that individuals shouldn’t consume more than 400 milligrams in a single day. That’s roughly 4 or 5 cups of coffee or 6 espresso shots.
So, it’s in your best interest to control the amount of caffeine you’re intaking daily. Otherwise, health issues or discomfort could soon follow.
Looking Deeper Into the Factors That Determine the Effects of Espresso
It’s no secret that espresso contains caffeine. It helps energize you throughout the day, which is a must-have for our hectic lifestyles. The only issue is when you become addicted. So, be sure to follow the recommended guidelines set out in the last section!
Your height, weight, health, and consumption amount are the factors that will determine how long the caffeine stays in your system. They will also indicate how long you actually feel the effects. Just because the caffeine is starting to wear off doesn’t mean it’s out of your system yet!
Oh, and keep in mind that any medication you’re taking will impact the effects of espresso too. For example, hormonal birth control is known to make you more sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
Lastly, the way your body breaks down the caffeine will determine how the effects are felt. If it’s broken down quickly, the effects won’t be that noticeable. However, if the opposite happens, the likelihood of some of the effects such as heart palpitations, diarrhea, discomfort, jitters, and others could come to light.
Feeling jittery is the most likely cause of consuming caffeine, even when drinking it in small amounts. But as we mentioned, the factors we’ve listed will influence if you feel jittery or any of the other effects. One shot of espresso may be all it takes, while other coffee lovers may need 7 before anything happens!
How Long Do You Feel Espresso Before It Wears Off?
After you’ve consumed espresso, you have a little waiting to do until it reaches maximum strength. On average, it takes 40 to 60 minutes before you reach the height of its effects, both body and mind.
After approximately 1 to 2 hours, the effects will fade. However, as we’ve said, you can expect caffeine to stay in your system for 5 to 7 hours. In some cases, it can even take up to 10 hours.
Obviously, if you decide to pour yourself another shot of espresso, the period that the effects last in your system will continue for longer.
How Good Is Espresso at Keeping You Awake?
Very! Although we personally enjoy espresso and coffee for their rich flavors and exotic aromas, they are extremely good at keeping you alive and kicking. If you have a busy night of studying or working ahead of you, then a shot of espresso is a good idea.
The same goes if you’re feeling tired in the morning. A quick shot will help get your system in gear, ready for the day to come. Just make sure to not go overboard. Stick to the recommended daily limit to reduce the chance of any caffeine-related issues.
Are You Dealing With the Long-Lasting Effects From Espresso Consumption?
If you’ve felt jittery for a while or are experiencing some of the other side effects, it’s best to drink water and grab a bite to eat. Even if you don’t feel hungry, find something small to nibble. Hopefully, by doing so, you’ll go back to feeling normal.
If you’re feeling too much adrenaline from the caffeine, the quick fix is to burn it. Try exercising; whether you feel like doing some jumping jacks in the living room or decide to go for a run, chances are you’ll feel better afterward.
However, if headaches, nausea, or other issues continue, you should contact a health professional to get checked out. The issues you’re facing may be from another cause and are just a coincidence when you’re drinking espresso. Again, we’re not medical professionals, so it’s best to check in with them!
What Happens to Espresso After It’s Made?
It goes without saying that espresso is best served fresh; coffee enthusiasts far and wide would agree with that. Once it has been pulled, the flavor begins to change after just one minute. Although, if espresso is mixed with water or milk it can be preserved for longer.
The reason why espresso is so quick to change is due to oxygen. Chlorogenic acid is released when oxygen is introduced, which has a major impact on the taste. As a result, you’ll be left with an extremely bitter beverage.
Avoiding stale espresso is definitely in your best interests. But as we’ve mentioned, you don’t have to throw it away if you don’t want to drink it straight away. Popping it in the fridge to use for a cold coffee drink in the future is absolutely fine. Well, as long as you use it roughly half a day (10 hours) after it is poured.
Is It Common to Use Chilled Espresso for Iced Drinks?
Certain coffee shops are notorious for brewing a batch of espresso and storing it in the fridge to use throughout the day. If customers ever found out, you can imagine that the news wouldn’t go down too well. Let’s be honest, who would want an iced coffee drink that has hours-old espresso?
It’s easy to see which coffee shops do this. Just pay attention to whether they make the espresso in front of you or have to go out back to get it.
Either way, it’s hard to tell the difference between a fresh espresso and one that’s been stored for a while when it’s put into a cold drink. All of the other ingredients do a great job of hiding the actual flavor of it.
However, if there was ever the case of stored espresso being reheated and served to paying customers, it’s likely the coffee shop wouldn’t be open for too long. Hopefully, no one has to face such an abomination.
Going Deeper Into How Chilled Espresso Tastes
Our best advice would be to pour yourself a freshly made espresso and experience everything it has to offer. Afterwards, if you’re feeling brave, make another one and put it in the fridge for a few hours. The aroma alone should be enough to put you off, but if it isn’t, try the refrigerated shot for yourself.
The contrast should be very noticeable. Instead of getting a smooth shot of citrusy flavors with a little aftertaste, you’ll experience an extremely bitter and acidic espresso that leaves a lasting and unwanted taste in the mouth.
The only reason you can get away with adding it to cold coffee drinks is because of the strong tastes and textures of the other ingredients. Milk, sugar, syrup, water, and whatever you add to your iced drink will greatly remove the bitterness from the chilled espresso, leaving you with a tasty drink.
And That’s a Wrap!
Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two when it comes to figuring out how long does espresso last. Coffee is truly a remarkable drink and should be enjoyed by coffee lovers the right way. Just remember not to go overboard!