How Long does Espresso Last? Did You Know This About Coffee?

I’ve recently started to work longer hours; we need to launch a new project the boss is so obsessed about. Inevitably, I started drinking more espresso that really gives me a kick, one in the morning to start the day, one before lunch and one after and probably one more on the way home.

I know too much caffeine, but how long does the espresso effect last? Does it lose its buzz if you don’t drink it on the spot or does the caffeine diminish over time?

Let’s go over all those questions about that great drink that keeps me (and I don’t think I’m the only one) going.

How much espresso is good to drink? 

‘Drink espresso in moderation mate’. This is what I repeatedly tell myself daily as an espresso shot (50 ml) contains about 100- 210mg (depending on the brand) and if we keep in mind what the FDA (Food & Drug Association) suggest not to exceed 400mg a day, which in plain English means it’s no good gulping more than three espresso shots a day. 

The physical effects of espresso you should know

Unlike water or ginger tea, the human body doesn’t break down caffeine easily, but it also – believe it or not  – depends on different characteristics including weight, height and overall health.It takes about 10-45 minutes for the caffeine to kick in and if your body doesn’t break it down easily, you’ll probably experience increased blood pressure, restlessness, insomnia or accelerated heart rate.

Don’t get me wrong, espresso gives me energy, that’s why I drink it all the time, it helps to get through hectic days at work and get on with my tasks faster.Coffee, and especially French Press espresso, is my secret weapon to get things done before I get it in the neck.

Did you know that coffee, including espresso, dehydrates you? It’s wise to have a glass of water next time you have espresso.

It’s no good having it on an empty stomach; it can cause an increase in stomach acid, but buddy it up with a biscuit or a slice of cake or any treat you fancy and it reduces this likelihood.

Espresso: How long does it take to wear off?

As I mentioned above it takes about 10-45 minutes for caffeine to have an effect on your body and it reaches its peak point in about 60-80 minutes.

After about 2-3 hours the espresso effects start to wear off and disappear from our bodies. One espresso shot will take about 10 hours to completely leave your system. Typically our body breaks down half of the caffeine intake after five hours of consumption.

For example, if you had a drink with 20mg of caffeine, your body is going to have 10mg after five hours. (Do you know how long you should pre-infuse espresso?)

How long does it take for espresso to go bad?

Technically coffee doesn’t really go off. It’s no coincidence that baristas serve espresso immediately as it starts losing its flavour and aroma after a few seconds. You can store it for a day maximum, but I wouldn’t drink it if it wasn’t kept in a fridge or freezer since the quality decreases. But drinking expired coffee is good to avoid.

Why does espresso keep some of us awake? 

Well again it depends on everyone’s metabolism. I know some lucky people who can drink it all day every day and it has no effect on them whatsoever, whilst others have a single shot that keeps them awake all night. Having a shot in the morning isn’t a bad idea as it’s a great energiser to start the day. 

What if you can’t deal with the caffeine after-effects? 

Sadly, it means that you need to cut down on your coffee intake, you’ve probably drunk too much, so stay away from it for a few days and give your body a break. 

Another thing you can do is to munch snacks; it might help with blood pressure and any discomfort. Personally, when it happens to me I go for a run and do exercise to let off steam and make caffeine break down faster; it does wonders for me, even if the run is only 15 minutes. 

Other methods of dealing with caffeine after-effects is to drink water. Caffeine dehydrates  you and water will help you get back the water level in your body.

Does espresso lose caffeine over time?

It depends on how long your espresso lasts, and although it loses its aroma and flavour in a short time, the caffeine level still remains the same, so it’s better to have it fresh.

FAQ about How long does espresso last

If you still have questions about espresso and caffeine read on. Let’s go over some common questions that often come up when it comes to espresso or leftover espresso. 

Keep brewed espresso in the fridge?

You can keep it in the fridge for the next day, but it won’t taste near as good as freshly brewed espresso; like we said above it loses some of its aroma and flavour.

Can I freeze espresso shots? 

Yes, you can keep espresso shots for up to 2 months, but keep in mind that when you defrost your coffee the taste won’t be anywhere near as good as when it’s freshly brewed. 

What can I do with extra espresso?

A good recipe I tried is to freeze your leftover espresso, then take it out, (don’t bother defrosting it) and put it in a blender with milk and hazelnut syrup – it’s delicious. Another way to use leftover espresso is to make glorious Espresso Martini cocktails or addictive Espresso Chocolate Chip cake.

If you have espresso grinds left, instead of brewing coffee, you can bake decadent cakes with espresso powder.

How long does espresso martini last in the fridge? 

I’ve some good news for you; you can keep it in the fridge for up to 8 days, which practically means you can save it for the next weekend party.

Can you save espresso overnight?

The best way to save it overnight is to pop it in the fridge or freezer, but as you’ve probably might have guessed it won’t taste as great as the freshly brewed cup.

How long will 4 shots of espresso last?

Caffeine has a half-life of around 5 to 6 hours in an adult. This means that after taking a dose of caffeine, you’ll have broken down around half of it. And if you consume 300 mg of caffeine at 9 am, your body will still contain roughly 150 mg.

But how long will you still feel buzzed after downing that Mountain Dew or that cup of coffee? Specifically, how long does caffeine last in your system? That is dependent on many different aspects.

Wrapping up 

And there you have it, you now know how much espresso you need to drink per day. If you are one of those you suffer from insomnia due to high caffeine intake, it’s better to drink less coffee although as we all know coffee is an indulgence. But if coffee doesn’t really work for you, you’ll be just fine.