Signs That Your Kaapi is No Longer Fresh

So you were about to brew a pot of filter kaapi before you remembered that there’s some leftover kaapi decoction in the fridge. 

You are not too sure if it’s still fresh and worth drinking but can’t stomach dumping a glass of the good stuff.

Here are 3 signs that your kaapi is no longer fresh.

Little to No Aroma

You know that strong, crisp aroma that filter kaapi has? The absence of it is the first sign to look out for.

If you’ve left the kaapi brew in the fridge for longer than optimal, it’ll start to lose its aroma.

At first, you may not realise it especially if some of the aroma is still left, but once you take a sip, you’ll know for sure if the kaapi is no longer fresh.

Sometimes, in addition to not having any aroma, you might get a scent that is odd or funky. It’s best to chuck that batch and make kaapi again.

Stale Taste

As you may know by now, coffee ultimately gets its flavour profile from the way it is processed and roasted.

The organic compounds present in the bean react to the heat during the roasting process and affect its taste.

But once kaapi is brewed, it doesn’t take long for that taste to begin to change.

This is because the decoction gets exposed to the air, and the resulting oxidation process impacts the flavour of the beverage, making it go stale gradually.

When you feel that you can no longer identify tasting notes and the kaapi just tastes bland, it has probably lost its freshness.

Unusually Sour or Bitter Flavours

Lastly, kaapi brew that’s been left to sit either in the fridge or in a pot outside can start to develop an extremely bitter/ sour taste.

This is also in part a consequence of the oxidation process, which is why everyone recommends that you store kaapi in a sealed container to prevent oxygen from mixing with the decoction.

Eventually, the brewed coffee can also begin to grow bacteria, which makes it risky to drink.

Granted, some coffee can be bitter or acidic from the start, you should notice if it’s unusually so. As a habitual kaapi enthusiast, you should be able to tell the difference.

While some sources may claim that coffee doesn’t technically expire, there’s a difference between coffee not being fresh anymore and going bad. If you’ve placed brewed hot coffee in the fridge, it’s best to consume it within 3-4 days (although it may not be fresh).

Anything longer than that can cause bacteria to form, making the kaapi brew unsafe for consumption.

On the other hand, cold brews can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 10 days. Make sure you don’t add water to the brew before doing so.

While these time limits are valid, different factors can affect your coffee depending on where and how it is stored, so always check for the above signs. 

Lastly, even coffee beans and grounds can get spoiled. You should keep an eye out for mould or discolouration in the case of coffee grounds.

If you prefer fresh filter kaapi every day, it is better to just brew a cup or two at a time for retaining max flavour.