Let’s say most of us can’t function correctly in the morning without any type of coffee or an espresso shot. Espresso shot keeps us straight on morning meetings, class, or any regular office day.
It can be beneficial to keep us awake, but the effects of caffeine aren’t totally safe to consume in high amounts. But who is want to listen to that and stop drinking espresso from tomorrow? Me? You?
So, to be on the safe side, you need to drink a decent amount of espresso. So, what’s the safe amount, and how long does an espresso shot last, or why do espresso shots expire?
Well, espresso shots generally last for at least 5 to 7 hours. But the time also depends on many factors, such as your body weight, age, potency, and the type of work you do throughout the day.
However, espresso doesn’t last more than 5 to 10 hours after all those factors. So, after 5 to 10 hours, your body is entirely free from espresso and ready for another espresso shot (LOL). Read on to learn more about this matter.
How Long Does an Espresso Shot Last?
Caffeine is a widely used stimulant in various drinks and foods. Within 15-30 minutes, caffeine begins to improve focus, alertness, and energy levels in the body. Eventually, caffeine is processed and removed by the body through various metabolic processes.
In healthy adults, the half-life of caffeine can range between 5-6 hours on average. Essentially, if you consume 200 mg of caffeine at 9 am, your body will still contain about 100 mg of that amount by 2 or 3 pm [1].
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, caffeine’s half-life is up to 5 hours. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for a quantity of a substance to be reduced to half the original amount.
Kristeen Cherney, healthline
The level of circulating caffeine should return to baseline levels after several additional half-lives (each lasting 5-6 hours). When it comes to receiving the full benefits of your morning cup of coffee or energy drink, it may last throughout the day, but you should still have cleared it before bedtime.
How long can a shot of espresso sit out? What’s About the 10 Sec Myth?
The 10-second myth is one of the most talked about topics in the caffeine content community. A Starbucks training module said espresso shots should last only 10 seconds before the aroma and flavor fade. Experts disproved the idea, stating espresso shots can last much longer than 10 seconds [2].
Essentially a dead shot is when a freshly pulled espresso is left for longer than 60 seconds before it is consumed. Anyone should be able to tell the difference between a fresh and a 2-minute old shot – the taste difference is indeed noticeable.
Mark Morphew, beanground.com
But why did this myth become so popular? From a scientific standpoint, this rule makes no sense from the perspective of a barista apprentice at Starbucks.
There’s some truth to it since overheating, oxidation, and other unfavorable conditions can ruin the taste of espresso if it’s served and prepared too long. Even though Starbucks’ fast service priority may not be scientifically accurate, it certainly makes sense.
What’s the Safest Amount to Drink Espresso Drink?
The amount shot of espresso you can safely drink depends on various factors, such as the size and strength of the espresso shots. Generally, two to six espresso shots are safe for a healthy adult to consume daily. However, the overall cold coffee or caffeine intake should be kept below 400 mg daily [3].
Each shot of an average-sized espresso adds about 60 to 185 mg of caffeine into your system, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA recommends consuming no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day which is about 6 espresso shots. To get the health benefits while staying within the healthy limit, try to stick to less than that.
culinarydepotinc.com
Everyone’s body is different and will react differently to various amounts of coffee intake. Take note if you feel jittery or have abnormal reactions after drinking coffee, as that may mean consuming too much coffee.
Keeping your espresso intake within recommended parameters is the best way to benefit from the effects of coffee.
What to Do If I Had too Much Coffee?
If you’ve had too much coffee, the first thing to do is slow down and take a break from drinking it. Caffeine is a stimulant, making you feel jittery and anxious if you have too much of it. It’s best to avoid drinking any more coffee or other caffeinated beverages until the effects wear off.
In order to avoid feeling the negative effects of consuming too much espresso, it may be helpful to consume it only with meals. This way, any rise in jitters can be reduced by eating food and drinking water. Keeping blood sugar levels under control is essential, as headaches may become severe if this balance isn’t maintained.
Additionally, avoiding caffeinated drinks before meals can help alleviate problems with disturbed hunger signals or suppressing appetite overall. Anyone experiencing weakened bones or ulcers should take extra care and consult their doctor if suffering from any long-term effects of excess espresso consumption.
Is It Safe to Store My Espresso In the Fridge?
Before answering, let’s know how long until an espresso shot goes bad. Espresso stays fresh only a day after brewing. That’s why you need to take immediate steps if you want to store it. Well, luckily, espresso is safe to store fridge. It’s better than taking dead espresso shots. However, how long does an espresso shot stay fresh in the fridge?
Generally speaking, espresso shots stored in a refrigerator are likely to stay fresh for up to a few days. Some sources suggest that with careful storage, an espresso shot can remain safe for consumption for up to one week after brewing.
Still, despite being kept cool temperatures and out of direct sunlight, stored espresso shots may experience degradation in flavor quality over time due to oxidation and other factors caused by air exposure. For this reason, it is usually best to drink espresso shots within a few minutes of their time of brewing for optimal freshness and taste.
FAQ
How long can you keep the espresso shot?
It’s best to drink espresso as soon as brewing, but if you want to drink it later, it can only stay suitable for a few days. After that, drinking it can be no good for your health.
How long will one shot of espresso keep you awake?
One shot of espresso will typically keep you awake for around 3-4 hours. This time frame depends on individual factors such as the amount consumed, body size, and metabolism. Generally speaking, caffeine has a half-life of about 5-6 hours in the human body, meaning that after 5-6 hours, only half of the original amount is left in your system.
Conclusion
How long an espresso shot lasts depends on how it is stored, when it was brewed, and individual factors such as body size and metabolism.
It is best to drink espresso shortly after brewing for optimal taste and freshness, but it can remain safe to consume for up to a few days if stored in the refrigerator. Keep those in mind while drinking your favorite drink next time, and enjoy the bitter taste in a safe way.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-caffeine-last
- https://www.beanground.com/dead-espresso-shots/
- https://www.culinarydepotinc.com/blog/how-many-shots-of-espresso-is-too-much/
- How Long Does an Espresso Shot Last?[Fact Checked] - February 20, 2023
- Caffeine Levels of Light and Dark Roast K-Cups | An Informative Breakdown - February 11, 2023
- A Guide to the Best Coffee Beans For Moccamaster - January 13, 2023