When you’re about to face your workday, one of the essential things to think about is coffee. Everyone has their favorite cup of coffee, and a standard for what is the ‘right’ brew for a productive day. But have you ever considered drinking yesterday’s coffee? Can you in fact drink yesterday’s coffee, or re-caffeinating in general?
So, can you drink yesterday’s coffee? The answer is yes and no. You shouldn’t just start guzzling down cup after cup of old, stale coffee any time you want a pick me up. While there’s nothing wrong with drinking yesterday’s cup of coffee, you should go about it carefully. Making coffee well in advance could cause bacteria to appear, so it’s best to ditch it the next day — you don’t want to be dealing with a stomachache or food borne illness.
This doesn’t mean that you have to drastically change your coffee-drinking habits. You can still enjoy coffee without re-caffeinating — though not everyone has the same opinion on the matter. Food scientist and coffee expert, Jim Schulman, believes that coffee can be stored for more than 24 hours and can in fact be used for coffee ice-cream, as it can help bring out the flavor. On the other hand, barista Doug Palas sees the 24-hour rule incredibly seriously, and don’t allow customers to order the same brew at his cafe for two days in a row — showing that opinions on yesterday’s coffee can vary.
Speaking to experts shows the majority opinion on drinking yesterday’s coffee tends to hinge on how long it’s been and how it’s been stored. If you want to drink yesterday’s cup of coffee, you should plan ahead and store it in an airtight container away from direct light and moisture, as these will ruin your brew or cause it to go bad. You should also consume your brew within the day.
Given that, it’s important to understand what you’re risking if you decide to drink off-date brews. When you re-caffeinate, you’re exposing yourself to a huge amount of bacteria in the form of contaminants, as well as acids, oils and tannins. Re-caffeinated coffee also tastes stale and lifeless, so it’s not as desirable as a freshly brewed cup.
This isn’t to say that all re-caffeinated coffee is bad. You can keep old cups of coffee drinkable if you reheat them to hot temperatures — 140°F or higher. But bear in mind that even then, the drink won’t taste as fresh as a cup brewed within the same day, so that pot of fresh coffee in the morning may still be worth more drag you out of bed.
Does reheating preserve the flavor of the brew?
There’s a range of opinions from experts on the flavor of re-caffeinated coffee. Some believe that reheating coffee can slightly preserve the flavor of the brew, while others feel that it’s impossible for re-caffeinated coffee to retain the same rich flavor.
Reinhard Neugebauer, an Austrian coffee expert, believes that reheating yesterday’s coffee can preserve its flavor somewhat. As the grounds are mostly composed of cellulose, a polysaccharide, the flavor and aroma compounds are preserved in the reheated brew. However, while some of these can still be tasted the next day, he admits that any perk of re-caffeinating is usually outweighed by how flat the flavor of the brew is likely to be.
On the other hand, some experts argue that reheating coffee will strip away any flavor or aroma it contains, leaving you with a cup of bitterness. Coffee scientist, Nathan Belova, believes that when you reheat coffee, the heat breaks the flavor compounds, which are the same compounds found in coffee beans. Therefore, re-caffeination won’t provide you with the same fresh aromas or flavors as a cup of freshly-brewed coffee.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that re-caffeinating does come with its risks, as the flavor of your brew is degraded over time. Generally, it’s not recommended to drink re-caffeinated coffee due to concerns over food safety, but if the need arises, be sure to take the necessary precautions to do it responsibly.
Health concerns over reheating coffee
Re-caffeinating raises several concerns, especially in regards to health. Food scientist Paul Ross believes that one of the biggest risk associated with yesterday’s coffee is the effect that it can have on the stomach. He explains that when the brew gets reheated, the acidity increases and can become quite acidic, which can affect digestion and cause issues like nausea and heartburn.
He also believes that brewing and reheating stale beans can increase the presence of bacteria, which may be harmful to your health. To minimize the risk, he recommends reheating the brew on the stovetop rather than the microwave, as going from cold to warm is a better environment for bacteria growth.
Other experts suggest that freezing coffee isn’t a great idea either, as the brew retains a large amount of moisture, which can cause bacteria and mold to grow. If you want to freeze your coffee for later use, you should use a sealed container, and consume it within the next week or so.
Ultimately, drinking yesterday’s coffee is a personal choice — as long as you’re mindful of how it’s been stored and how long it’s been sitting. As a general rule, it’s best to durch a freshly brewed pot instead of relying on yesterday’s brew.
Tips for making the most of yesterday’s coffee
For those who are willing to take the risk, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your re-caffeinated coffee:
- Avoid leaving coffee in the oven for prolonged periods of time, as this can cause your brew to lose flavor.
- Drink up as soon as possible — don’t worry about reheating, as this will just cause the coffee to get even more acidic.
- Store coffee properly in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Re-caffeinating cold-brew coffee is generally a safer option, as the brew is less acidic than regular coffee.
These are just some of the tips to help you make the most of your re-caffeinated coffee, but it’s important to remember to use your own judgment. Drinking off-date brews could make you feel sick or cause health issues, so it’s important to consider the risks before making a decision.
Achieve the same coffee buzz without yesterday’s cup
If you’re looking to get a pick-me-up without drinking yesterday’s coffee, there are a few options available. Many people turn to energy drinks or snacks to get a boost, but these aren’t always healthy options. A better option could be to drink a cup of tea or a cup of warm lemon water — both of which can provide you with the energy you need to get through the day.
If you’re looking for something to drink in the morning that’s full of flavor, why not try a green smoothie or a chia pudding? These are both full of vitamins and minerals that can get you going in the morning, while also providing you with the flavor and nutrition your body needs. A green smoothie is also a great way to get an energy boost without relying on re-caffeinated coffee.
Alternatively, you could opt for an herbal tea such as chamomile or peppermint. Herbal teas are packed full of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that can help boost your energy and keep you going, without increasing your caffeine intake.
Conclusion
With all of this said, it’s important to remember that drinking yesterday’s coffee isn’t recommended due to the potential health risks involved. If you’re looking for a quick energy boost, there are plenty of options available that don’t involve re-caffeinating old brews. As with any food or drink, it’s important to consider the risks before making a decision, and choose wisely.
