CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: MARCH 2025

Hey coffee friends, and welcome to our March Café Session! We’ve made it through another winter (mostly), and spring is officially right around the corner. Of course, in Denver, that means absolutely nothing. Will we get a glorious 80-degree patio day? A surprise blizzard? Hail, rain, and sun all within the same hour? Probably all of the above. Weather whiplash is just part of the deal this time of year.

But unpredictable forecasts aside, the end of March also means baseball season is almost here! Opening Day is fast approaching, and that also means the return of Enterprise Coworking’s favorite tradition—the Opening Day Rooftop Party on Friday, 4/4. If you haven’t been before, trust me, it’s one of the best ways to kick off the season, no matter how ahem “competitive” the Rockies may or may not be this year.

This month, we’re tackling two important coffee questions: What actually happens if you drink yesterday’s coffee (because we’ve all done it), and is there a “right” way to sip espresso? So grab a fresh cup—maybe even a shot of espresso for practice—and let’s get into it. Cheers to spring, baseball, and whatever weather Denver throws at us next!

IF I ACCIDENTALLY DRINK YESTERDAY’S COFFEE, AMI JUST BEING EFFICIENT OR MAKING A TERRIBLE LIFE CHOICE?

You know what they say—what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! And in this case, drinking day-old coffee won’t send you to the ER (unless it’s your 20th cup and your heart is staging a revolt). So, if you find yourself sipping yesterday’s brew, rest assured—it’s not going to make you sick. However, whether it’s pleasant to drink is another story.

As coffee sits out, it becomes significantly more bitter, and if left in a humid environment for long enough, it can even start growing mold. While it’s technically safe, it’s definitely not going to taste fresh. From a food safety perspective, the key to preventing bacterial growth is temperature control—either keeping it hot or cooling it down quickly. Bacteria thrive in the 40–140°F range, which is why modern insulated travel mugs do such a great job of keeping your coffee warm or cold. (Remember that viral story about the woman whose car caught fire, but her Stanley cup still had ice water in it? Now that’s product advertising at its finest.)

Since keeping coffee hot for hours on end isn’t exactly practical, I recommend refrigerating any leftover coffee you want to save. Cooling it down keeps bacteria at bay, and it can be a decent caffeine boost for the next day. Just keep in mind that it won’t have the same body or richness as properly brewed iced coffee, which is made stronger to hold up against melting ice.

If you're trying to cut down on waste and hate tossing out extra coffee, there are actually some great ways to repurpose it! Leftover brewed coffee can be used to water your plants—it's packed with nutrients like nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium, which help promote growth. And don’t forget about your used coffee grounds! They have plenty of uses too, from composting to deodorizing your fridge.

For a full list of idea on how to use your leftover coffee grounds, check out our blog: “What To Do With Your Used Coffee Grounds.”

So, is drinking day-old coffee a terrible life choice? Not really. But if you have the option, maybe stick with a fresh cup—you deserve it!

IS THERE A CORRECT WAY TO SIP ESPRESSO, OR DO I JUST NEED TO DRAMATICALLY NOD LIKE I UNDERSTAND FLAVOR NOTES?

Yes, there is absolutely a correct way to sip espresso—and I cannot stress this enough: it is not the same as tossing back a shot of your favorite liquor! I highly discourage anyone from attempting that unless you want to burn every last taste bud in your mouth. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I instinctively grabbed a shot glass of espresso and, through sheer muscle memory, knocked it back like I was reliving the previous night’s questionable decisions. Not my finest moment.

If you really want to appreciate the flavor notes in espresso, there’s a technique to it. Remember that coffee flavor wheel we discussed in a previous Café Session? Coffee tasting is about more than just the initial sip—it’s about how the flavors interact with different parts of your mouth. Your taste buds, tongue, and even the deep pockets of your mouth all contribute to the way you perceive different notes.

Think back to what we covered about coffee cupping—the best way to taste coffee is to slurp it. Yes, slurping might seem obnoxious, but it helps distribute the coffee evenly across your taste buds. Here’s why: bitterness is detected at the back of your tongue near your throat, while sourness registers more on the sides. By slurping, you allow the espresso to splash around your entire mouth, giving you a full sensory experience. Plus, pulling in some air as you sip helps cool down that near-200°F liquid before it scalds your tongue.

So, the next time you’re handed an espresso, don’t just sip it timidly or nod along like a coffee connoisseur in disguise. Slurp loud and proud! You’ll not only taste the coffee more fully, but you’ll also have some actual flavor notes to discuss with your friends. And who knows—you might just impress someone with your newfound tasting skills.

If you have a topic or question you’d like me to tackle next month, don’t hesitate to ask! Submit an anonymous question or problem below. No name or email required.