What Happens When You Drink Expired Coffee? (can you drink expired coffee + more information)

Coffee is a go-to beverage when one needs the energy to kick start a day. While we all love coffee and want to hold on to it even after expiration, the persistent question is, can you drink expired coffee?

Yes, you can drink expired coffee. Many people have approached me asking if coffee expires like regular products on the shelves fearing that they might get sick. I have had coffee sit in a cabinet past its expiry date, and it was just fine when I took it without any side effects. In this post, we are going to understand how coffee is affected past its expiry date and whether it is safe for human consumption, so keep up.

What happens when you drink expired coffee?

Nothing happens to you healthwise when you drink expired coffee . However, be prepared for a tasteless and bitter beverage. The change in the taste comes due to the reduction of aromas and flavors after the expiry date. You can drink expired coffee so long as you make sure it is not moldy or mixed with other spoilt additions like milk. The shelf life of coffee is dependent on the coffee type and storage method, but not on the indicated expiry date on the packaging since that is an estimated date. Coffee does not go bad but turns stale, and therefore does not have any detrimental effects on the body, whatsoever.

Does drinking expired coffee give you energy boost?

The simple answer to this question is yes. The kick we look for in coffee is provided by caffeine. Even though flavors might start changing after the ground coffee is exposed to natural elements, caffeine is stable and can retain its potency for months. It is good to note that caffeine is a bitter, naturally occurring chemical, and the brew might not be as pleasant in taste as freshly ground beans you once enjoyed.

Does drinking expired coffee give you diarrhea?

Drinking expired coffee doesn’t give you diarrhea unless the roasted beans have become moldy. Unground coffee has a longer shelf life than ground coffee due to the size of the particles. The only caveat is that exposing the coffee beans to moisture creates a suitable ground for mold to grow, and this can either give you a stomach upset or full-blown food poisoning .

Caffeine, however, is known to have a laxative effect when taken in large doses, so it is advisable to manage the amount of expired coffee you ingest since the caffeine will not have lost its potency over time.

Final Thoughts

Expired coffee beans do not have to go into the dumpster if you do not like the bitter, bland flavor. You can compost it for use as fertilizer for your plants. The various minerals present in the beans, such as Nitrogen, Iron, and Magnesium are essential for plant growth. If you have molded expired coffee, do not risk getting diarrhea, but divert the coffee to the garden.

FAQ SECTION

What does expired coffee taste like?

Expired coffee tastes flat due to loss of flavor profile over time and has a strong, bitter taste.

How long is coffee good for after the expiration date?

On average, an opened bag of coffee can last anywhere between 3 to 5 months after the expiration date.

Does expired coffee have less caffeine?

No, caffeine does not lose its potency after the coffee beans have expired and will still give you a good energy boost, months after its expiration date.