Would someone please tell me the dangers of brewing fresh coffee grounds on top of yesterday's used grounds?

Question

My husband insists on leaving yesterday's old grounds in when brewing coffee. He says it "makes it stronger". I say there is a ton of mold and bacteria in yesterday's damp coffee grounds.

Answer 1

You're both right!

Answer 2

it does make it stronger because you're getting the leftover strength from the old coffee, but you're also right that it could be growing nasty bugs and critters in there.  It might be safe, but why not just use fresh grounds instead of the old stuff.

Answer 3

Coffee grounds are an organic matter. It promotes the growth of bacteria. As far as the 'stronger' logic is concerned, it isn't any 'stronger' it is just extracting more alkaloids from the used coffee grounds. The alkaloids are part of caffeine's structure. So what he is getting is the leeched out leftovers that cause coffee to be bitter when it is over extracted. Your husband can get the same effect by pouring boiling water onto extra fine grounds. Coffee experts try to get the right water temperature to avoid over extracting thereby avoiding getting a bitter cup of coffee.

Too bad places like *Bucks not only over extract their coffee's but also burn their beans to give the customer the bitter taste they have come to expect with inferior coffee's.

Good quality coffee should have a pleasing flavorful taste, not a bitter experience.

We had a chief of police that used to make the coffee in his office that way, but he started the morning with FRESH Grounds. He just added more as the day went on. But he did it because he was a cheap tightwad.

Answer 4

no the bacteria om it could make you sick

Answer 5

It does make it stronger. I suppose that because the water will be boiled and there is a strainer for the grounds that doing that would be okay... but it seems disgusting. Just buy a stronger variety of coffee like french or italian blend. Those are very strong. Also get your ground coffee at starbucks because their coffee is very strong and can be found at most supermarkets too. It isn't that expensive in the bags.

Answer 6

lil bit of bacteria that will die with the boiled water , but the taste prolly will be bitter