Tag: Caffeine degradation

According to the USDA, a "best if used by" date is recommended for best flavor or quality, not safety. This is a crucial distinction to consider when you wonder if you can drink an expired Red Bull, as the date on the can primarily relates to peak quality, not an immediate health hazard.

The average half-life of caffeine in the human body is about 5 hours, but what happens to the stimulant itself over the course of days, weeks, or even years? This is a common question for many coffee and tea drinkers, and the definitive answer is that caffeine does not lose strength over time under typical storage conditions.

According to chemical studies, caffeine is a remarkably stable compound that can withstand high temperatures during roasting and brewing. Given this resilience, does caffeine degrade in the fridge, or is that morning's leftover coffee still just as potent as when it was fresh?