Does old coffee make you sick?

QUESTION: Does old coffee make you sick? I am staying at a cabin and I only have a bag from last year. — Edward F

ANSWER: The short answer is no, with a few exceptions. For the most part, the good news is, old coffee beans, or even old coffee grounds will not make you sick or give you food poisoning. The brew that old coffee produces, however, will not taste as good as fresh coffee and might even taste stale, or have a bitter taste. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Old coffee that was not stored in a well-sealed, airtight container can go rancid in certain cases. If the beans or grounds were not sealed properly, were exposed to water, or have developed mold or growths, then it could be rancid coffee and there is a good chance that it will make you sick, even if the pot of coffee is brewed with boiling hot water.

If you run out of your coffee stash and realize that you have some old beans, stale beans or old ground coffee sitting around in your cabinets, you shouldn’t have any adverse reactions to drinking the coffee you brew from your backstock. However, it’s always is a good idea to check the package and the grounds (or beans) thoroughly before you decide to brew and consume it. Check the packaging for holes or a break in the seal. Check for dampness or wetness, and look for any signs of mold. Go ahead and give the coffee a good smell test too. If you notice an unpleasant smell or anything unusual, it’s probably best to avoid the stale grounds or stale coffee beans entirely and grab your morning coffee from coffee shops until you have a chance to restock.

The best way to get the freshest, most enjoyable cup of joe possible each day, is to purchase fresh coffee beans in small batches, preferably only enough coffee to last your household for about one week. Then, to get the best flavor for your morning java, only grind as much coffee as you need to make the pot, or cup you are about to drink. This way, you are grinding fresh whole bean coffee right before brewing, ensuring that you are making the freshest, best tasting cup of coffee possible.

Coffee lovers and regular coffee drinkers stick to this method of freshness and swear by it. For the best results and best taste, it is also recommended that the serious coffee connoisseur invest in a burr grinder for grinding whole coffee beans. Burr grinders crush the beans instead of using blades to cut the beans into grounds. The crushing process causes less friction and heat, whereas bladed grinders cause so much friction, they can actually burn your grounds. Burr grinders also provide a more even, uniform grind size, so you can make your grounds as coarse, or as fine as you desire, without a lot of variation. This is especially important when brewing using a pour over device.

The general rule of thumb, to guarantee the freshness of your coffee, is to use the coffee you purchase within one week if it is pre-ground coffee, or within two weeks if it is whole bean. However, some people like to store up on coffee for longer periods of time. This can be done without too much loss of rich flavor and aroma if you store your coffee properly in a container that is sealed airtight. As long as the coffee is stored properly, it can stay good for ages.

A redditor named LitrillyChrisTraeger found a 50 year old can of coffee that was still sealed and unopened and decided to give it a try and report his experience. Amazingly, the coffee was still good. Unsurprisingly, however, it tasted downright awful. The adventurous redditor described the taste of the ancient coffee as being similar to burnt popcorn.

So, all in all, old coffee can be used in a pinch, but only if you are willing to sacrifice the flavor and aroma of your java just to get the caffeine content. However, if you want your coffee to taste fresh and delicious, it’s best to stick with the freshest product possible. Old coffee will most likely not make you sick, but be sure to discard it if the package was compromised, the coffee has a strange odor, or if there is any sign of saturation or mold present on the beans or grounds.