Many people brew more coffee than they need and simply save the leftovers for the next day. Others intentionally make a large pot and reheat it the following morning to save time. But does day-old coffee still taste good? More importantly, is it safe to drink?
Is it safe?
Yes—plain black coffee is generally safe to drink for up to 24 hours at room temperature if it hasn’t been contaminated, though its quality will decline. If you refrigerate it in a clean, sealed container, it can usually stay safe for 3–4 days.
However, if the coffee contains milk, cream, or flavored creamers, it should be refrigerated immediately and is best consumed within 1–2 days. Leaving milk-based coffee at room temperature for more than two hours can allow harmful bacteria to grow.
Why does yesterday’s coffee taste different?
