Can You Drink Expired Coffee (Without Getting Sick)? Truth Leaked

Can you drink expired coffee? This is a question that has been on the minds of coffee drinkers for years. And the short answer is, YES you can drink expired coffee without getting unwell. Just like fine wine, coffee develops subtlety and complexity as it ages.

So if you find yourself with a cup of old coffee, don’t despair – it’s still perfectly safe to drink, unless it contains milk or additives.

Can you actually drink expired coffee and how it tastes? 

Yes, unless it contains mould or ruined additions including milk, you can have coffee that’s gone off without getting sick. Due to the loss of the majority of its aroma and characteristics, expired coffee is bitter or rotten. Many when realising they’ve been drinking outdated coffee, feel sick to their stomachs.

And for those who have respiratory allergies, mouldy coffee might cause breathing problems.

Unless the grounds or beans have mould from improper storage, brewing coffee with old beans or grounds won’t make you sick.

However, consuming a lot of coffee with ruined toppings like milk or cream might result in health problems like bloating, diarrhoea, and stomach pain – these issues are brought on by expired additives.

Does coffee really expire? 

The other day, I was rummaging through my pantry, looking for something to snack on. When I came across a can of coffee that I had bought a few months ago, I paused for a moment. The expiration date on the can was long past, and I suddenly realised that I had no idea if coffee really expires.

After doing some research, I discovered that the answer is a bit complicated.While technically coffee does have an expiration date, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the coffee will go bad as soon as that date arrives. Instead, the expiration date is more of a guideline.

However, over time, the coffee will start to lose its flavour and become less potent. So if you’re looking for the best possible cup of coffee, it’s best to use beans that are as fresh as possible.

How does coffee go off?

A good way of better understanding how coffee ages goes bad is to look closely at the coffee roasting process.

During roasting, coffee beans release gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, and produce delicious smells and oils.

After roasting, beans start to off-gas; this off-gassing peaks within the first 24 hours, with around 40% of the trapped gases leaving. After 5 to 10 days after roasting, the rate of degassing slows down and stabilises, at which point the beans are ready to be used for coffee.

Compared to green beans, roasted beans are more unstable and more susceptible to changes in temperature, moisture, light, and time, so it’s important to store beans in a cool, dark place.

Grinds are particularly susceptible to going stale quickly, so if you’re using pre-ground coffee, it’s best to use it within a few days. And finally, even the type of bean can make a difference – Arabica beans tend to be more delicate than Robusta, so the odds are they’ll go off more quickly.

Does coffee grinding have an effect on its shelf life? 

It’s happened to all of us before, you buy a new bag of coffee beans, and you’re so excited to use them that you can’t wait to grind them up, but then you get busy and the beans sit in your grinder for weeks (or even months) until you finally get around to using them.

Here’s the thing: coffee beans are actually at their peak flavour right after they’re ground. So grinding them does make them lose some of their flavour potential over time. However, whole beans will also start to go stale after a few weeks. (Did you know that you can regrind coffee?)

If you want your coffee to taste its best, aim to use freshly ground beans within a week of buying them.  And of course, it’s crucial to be aware of the exact grind size of your espresso beans.

What is oxidation and how has an effect on coffee

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when coffee beans are exposed to oxygen. This exposure causes the beans to turn brown and lose some of their flavour and aroma. As a result, it’s important to store coffee in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.

Oxidation also occurs when coffee is brewed.

This is why it’s important to use fresh beans and grind them just before brewing.

However, there are some benefits to oxidation. For example, some people believe that oxidised coffee has a smoother flavour.

How extreme temperature affects coffee

The pace at which coffee reacts with other elements like oxygen heavily depends on the temperature at which it is stored. Coffee beans oxidise quickly at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and extremely slowly at subfreezing temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius, according to a study.

The effect of moisture on coffee

Moisture is essential for coffee beans to develop properly and can also affect their shelf life.

Too little moisture will result in beans that are small and hard, while too much moisture will cause the beans to swell and become soft. The ideal level of moisture for coffee beans is between 10%-12%.

At this level, the beans are able to absorb the necessary nutrients and develop a rich flavour.

Storing your coffee beans properly is super important. 

How bright light affects coffee

Did you know that keeping your coffee in a bright, sunny location can actually make it taste more bitter?

Coffee beans are naturally porous, which means that they can absorb flavours and scents from their surroundings. If you store your coffee in a place where there is bright light, the beans will absorb those harsh ultraviolet rays and become more bitter.

How the quality of coffee gets worse over time

Oxidation and exposure to moisture can also cause the beans to lose their aromatics and become stale. By keeping the beans in an airtight container and storing them in a cool, dark place, you can help to preserve their flavour and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee for days to come.

The timeline showing when coffee goes off

We’re talking about the timeline, but keep in mind that this is an estimation. There are many factors that affect the state of your coffee that haven’t been considered in this table.

Make sure you check the expiration date before consuming your coffee (if your brewer isn’t working, consider making coffee without any fancy gear.

The table below show the timeline when coffee goes off: 

Coffee Type	Cupboard	Fridge	Freezer
Green beans	Upt to 1 year	–	Up to 1 year
Coffee grounds	2-5 months	–	Up to 2 years
Roasted beans	6-9 months	–	Up to 2.5 years
Hot coffee	Up to 11 hours	3-4 days	–
Cold coffee	Around 12-16 hours	7-10 days	–
Instant coffee	2 years	–	2 years

The signs that indicate coffee is rancid

How can you tell if your coffee is rancid? There are a few signs to look for:

First, check the colour of the beans. If they’re much darker than they used to be, or if they have an oily sheen, they’re probably rancid.

Second, smell the beans. Fresh coffee should have a strong, aromatic scent. If the beans just smell dull or flat, they’re probably past their prime. 

Third, stale coffee beans or grinds that have been exposed to moisture for an extended period of time are likely to have visible mildew and a musty odour.

Forth, pour-over coffee made using used grounds has a quicker extraction time and less bloom. Both the flavour and scent of the coffee are lacking.

Finally, taste the coffee, if it tastes sour or bitter, it’s probably rancid. 

Tip: when using a pour-over coffee maker or drawing an espresso as compared to a drip coffee machine, it is simpler to visually detect rotten coffee.

How to store coffee beans that will stay fresh longer

Coffee beans can also be finicky, if you don’t store them properly, they can quickly become stale and lose their flavour.

Here are a few tips for storing coffee beans so that they stay fresh longer:

First, make sure to keep your coffee beans in an airtight container. This will help to keep out moisture and other elements that can cause the beans to go bad. 

Second, store the container in a cool, dark place. sunlight and heat can also cause the beans to lose their flavour.

And lastly, try not to open the container too often. Every time you do, you let in more air and moisture, which can speed up the staleness process.

By following these simple tips, you can help your coffee beans stay fresh and flavourful for longer.

The right way of storing beans in your freezer

You might not think that there’s a right way to store beans in the freezer, but trust me, there is. If you follow my simple tips, you’ll be sure to enjoy fresh-tasting coffee every time:

• Make sure you’re using a sealable bag or container. You don’t want your beans to get freezer burn! 

• Write the date on the bag so you know how long they’ve been in there. Beans can actually be stored in the freezer for up to six months, so there’s no need to worry about them going bad.

• When you’re ready to use your beans, just take them out of the freezer and let them thaw for a few hours before grinding. 
• The freezer should be set as low as possible, with temperatures below -20 °C 
• When using frozen coffee beans, take out one pack at a time and store it in a cupboard. It is no good opening a bag and then putting it back in the freezer; it increases the likelihood of condensation.

The right way of brewing coffee with frozen coffee beans

There are two methods to go about it:

1. Without first defrosting them, grind the frozen coffee beans, then brew right away. For drawing espresso, grinding the frozen beans produces a more consistent grind size. Also, grinding warms the beans to counteract the cold temperature without compromising their freshness. The objective is to immediately grind the beans from the freezer to prevent condensation.
   
2. To avoid condensation forming around the coffee beans, which would quickly deteriorate the beans, completely defrost the coffee beans (ideally overnight) before taking them from the storage bag, so they fully thaw before opening the storage bag or container.

Let’s wrap it up

So what’s the verdict? Can you drink expired coffee? Is espresso bad for us?

The answer is yes, you can. But it won’t taste as good and it might make you a little sick. We recommend drinking your coffee within a couple of  days of the expiration date to get the best flavour and avoid any stomach issues.

And if you have any leftover coffee, don’t worry – just store it in the fridge and it will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

FAQ about expired coffee 

Let’s go over a common question many coffee lovers have. 

What happens when you drink expired instant coffee?

Instant coffee really has a longer shelf life than other types of coffee, but if you happen to have a tin of instant coffee that expired in your cupboard, it’s wise to throw it away. You can buy another one and the good thing is that instant coffee is often cheaper than others.