Can You Microwave Coffee? (You’ll Be Surprised By The Answer)

We’ve all been there: you accidentally forgot about your cup of coffee and now it’s cold. You’re wondering if you can just pop it in the microwave for a bit to warm it up. A totally reasonable question.

And you can! But it might not taste very good. In this article, we’ll go over why coffee doesn’t taste so good after it’s reheated and why you can actually reheat coffee in the microwave.

Is It Bad To Reheat Coffee?

The bottom line is that reheated coffee isn’t going to kill you. It won’t give you food poisoning or make your stomach upset or anything like that. In that sense, it’s certainly not bad to reheat coffee. However, no matter how you reheat coffee, it will taste pretty awful.

The flavor profile of coffee comprises different volatile compounds that come out when the beans are roasted, ground, and then brewed. That means that as coffee starts to cool down, the compounds that make it taste sweet, balanced, and delicious break down. When those compounds break down, your coffee starts to taste bitter.

The bitter compounds are the last to break down. Once all the good compounds are gone, you’re left with a terrible cup. But don’t be discouraged! Not all reheating methods are created equal. And microwaving coffee is a great way to go.

Why It’s Okay To Microwave Coffee

We know that reheating coffee changes the taste for the worse. But it’s not the end of the world. Especially if your coffee isn’t totally cold yet. If your coffee still has some warmth and isn’t room temperature, then microwaving it won’t have as pronounced a change.

Instead, your coffee will taste relatively similar. Microwaving coffee adds heat evenly throughout your cup instead of only in one spot on a stove or a cup warmer. Just make sure that you don’t overheat your coffee. Remember to consume coffee at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit (1).

The Best Way To Reheat Coffee

There are plenty of ways you could go about reheating mugs of coffee. A hot plate, on the stove, double boiler, etc. But the best way, across multiple sources, is actually the microwave.

While no one is certain why, the leading theory is that the microwave adds heat evenly, as stated earlier. This means that no part of your coffee gets too hot (above 200 degrees) and burns (2). But you mustn’t microwave your coffee too much.

Alternatives To Reheating Coffee In The Microwave

The best way to avoid reheating coffee is not to let it get cold in the first place. Drinking your coffee quickly means you get the best tastes and the most rounded flavor profile. But sometimes, it’s unavoidable.

Preheating your mug is a great way to keep your coffee stays hot for longer. You can fill your mug with hot water before you add coffee or use a smart mug to keep your mug hot.

The lower-tech version of the smart mug is a trusty thermos. But note that you should always use a clean thermos and not let coffee sit in your thermos for a long time, and coffee will eventually go bad and get moldy.

The Verdict

You can absolutely reheat coffee in the microwave. And yes, it is the best way to reheat your coffee if you absolutely must reheat it.

Not letting your coffee go cold in the first place is still the best option. Any reheated coffee will result in a loss of good flavor and a more bitter cup than might be pleasant. However, reheating coffee isn’t bad for you; if you must, then you must!