It’s a common scenario: you whip up a delicious cup of joe and become so engaged with what you’re doing that you forget to drink it. A few hours later, you realize that you have a day-old cup of coffee sitting there, left un-sipped. But before you decide to pour it out and start over, you wonder if day-old coffee is safe to drink — and what effects it’ll have on your body.
The answer is a bit complicated. It all comes down to two key factors: the acidity levels and how you store your coffee. If a day-old cup of coffee is stored correctly, such as in a well-sealed container, then it’s likely still 100 percent safe to consume. (As with anything, if it smells or tastes bad, don’t drink it!). However, the acidity levels may have increased, causing an unpleasant taste.
Acidity Levels in Coffee
Coffee that sits too long will lose its freshness, and its flavor will change. As time passes, acids form in the coffee, giving it a slightly sour flavor, which many coffee-lovers don’t find enjoyable. The acidity of day-old coffee also decreases significantly, making it far less potent than freshly-brewed coffee.
However, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any health benefits. While day-old coffee offers a significantly lower amount of antioxidants, it also has a lower amount of caffeine, which is great news for those sensitive to large caffeine doses or those with health conditions.
Storing Coffee
Aside from the taste issues, day-old coffee can also be potentially unsafe to drink if it’s not stored properly. If the coffee hasn’t been sealed well and left out in the open, it can increase the coffee’s risk of bacteria growth. That’s why it’s important to store coffee into airtight containers, such as mason jars, in order to store it to retain its freshness. That’s also why it’s important to make sure your workspace is always clean and free from any bacteria.
The Effects on the Body
If you decide to drink day-old coffee, you may experience some weaker effects than with freshly-brewed coffee. Day-old coffee offers significantly lower levels of antioxidants compared to fresh coffee, which can limit its beneficial effects on the body, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects.
Day-old coffee also has a significantly lower caffeine content than fresh coffee. While this may be great news for those with health conditions or those sensitive to caffeine, it could have a big impact on athletes, such as runners. That’s because caffeine can help boost performance and enhance alertness, which may be lacking with day-old coffee.
Alternative Uses for Day-Old Coffee
If drinking day-old coffee doesn’t sound particularly appealing, that’s okay. There’s a multitude of alternate uses for day-old coffee, from cooking to beauty routines.
Day-old coffee can become a perfect ingredient for baking recipes, such as cakes and cookies. A great way to use it is to replace the water in a recipe with cold-brewed coffee for a richer flavor. You can also use it to add flavor to your marinades, burgers or steaks.
You can also make use of day-old coffee in your beauty routines. Coffee is full of antioxidants, caffeine and nutrients that can help improve the look of your hair, skin and nails. You can make a homemade exfoliating scrub, use a coffee-infused hair mask to get rid lice or simply apply some cold coffee on your puffy eyes.
Should You Drink Day-Old Coffee?
In the end, it depends on personal preference and how your body reacts to day-old coffee. It’s important to remember that it may not have the same taste or effects as fresh coffee. But, if it’s stored properly in an air-tight container, there’s little to no risk of bacteria or other microorganisms.
Reheating Day Old Coffee
Keep in mind that it’s never safe to reheat or microwave day-old coffee. This could potentially lead to bacteria development and the spread of bacteria through the coffee, something which you obviously want to avoid. In order to keep your coffee safe, it’s best to pour it into a new and clean cup and heat it following the correct heating procedures.
Freezing Day Old Coffee
An interesting method to keep your day-old coffee safe to drink is to freeze it. Freezing coffee won’t affect its pH levels, thus preserving its taste. Simply pour the coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze it for several hours. Once it’s ready, you can move them into an airtight plastic bag and keep them in the freezer for up to six weeks. Whenever you need a cup of coffee, just take a few ice cubes out of the freezer and make a fresh cup.
Coffee vs Cold Brew
An interesting comparison when it comes to dealing with day-old coffee is between regular coffee and cold brew. Cold brew is great for storing because it lasts up to two weeks and its acidity is lower than with brewed coffee. This means that cold brew has a smoother taste and can last even when not stored in an airtight container or not refrigerated.
Cold brew coffee also has about two-thirds less caffeine than regular coffee, making it an ideal option for those who are sensitive to caffeine and for those who enjoy a lighter coffee flavor.
Brewing Coffee at Home
Finally, one of the smartest and easiest way to make sure you never get to drink day-old coffee is to make it yourself. At home coffee machines are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and modern features. From automatic coffee grinders to latte makers and cupwarmers, these devices offer incredible convenience and quality you don’t find in normal cafés. Also, the variety of coffee beans these days allow for a wide range of flavor profiles and coffee varieties.
Brewing your own coffee can be rewarding and make it easier to ensure you’re drinking fresh coffee. Also, you could make an effort to only brew the amount of coffee that you’re going to drink, preventing the risk of having to deal with day-old coffee altogether.
