TIL cold brew concentrate can sit on the counter for weeks without going bad

I read a food safety study from UC Davis that said properly strained cold brew stays stable at room temp way longer than hot coffee, like 2 to 4 weeks. Everyone in my group chat swears by fridge-only storage, but the data says otherwise. Has anyone else actually tested this at home?

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oscarwilliams5d ago

Wait, that UC Davis study is about the roasted bean extract staying stable before you add anything, not after you've diluted it with water or milk. The concentrate sits fine, but once you mix it with creamer or just regular tap water, you're basically feeding the bacteria again and it goes bad in days. I've left straight concentrate out for a week and it was fine, but I wouldn't push that 2 to 4 week claim unless you're drinking it black and straight.