Is It Safe to Drink a 39-Year-Old Soda Bottle?

There are those who rotate their collection of vintage sodas, and there might be some in the 1981 Coca-Cola in a glass bottle category. But is it safe to drink such an old soda? Let's dive into the science and safety concerns.

Chemical and Physical Changes

Conventional sodas, especially those in sealed containers, offer a long shelf life. Regardless of their age, you can indeed drink them, though you might not get the same taste and experience as a fresh can. The packaging of sodas, whether in cans or bottles, provides a robust seal that isolates the liquid from external factors. This seal is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the beverage over time.

Chemical Alterations

Sodas, including Coca-Cola, contain various flavoring compounds. Over time, these compounds can undergo slight chemical changes. For example, the flavor might become less intense, or there may be a subtle difference in color due to the breakdown of certain ingredients. However, these changes do not compromise the drink's safety or quality; they might just impact the taste.

Flavor Loss in Diet Sodas

If the old soda you possess is a diet version, the story might be different. Diet sodas, particularly those with artificial sweeteners, can lose their flavor over time. As the sweetener degrades, the drink might not taste as good, or it may taste less sweet. Given this, a 39-year-old diet soda might be even less palatable than a 39-year-old regular soda.

Comparative Safety and Taste

Based on the experiences shared by users, it's clear that an uncapped 39-year-old soda, if properly stored, can still be safe to drink. However, the taste is another matter. It's often described as having an odd flavor, such as cardboard.

Breaking Down the Experience

In 2005, a former employer had a 7-year-old Pepsi machine in a breakroom. During its decommissioning, one of the employees decided to taste a can. Surprisingly, the taste was akin to "wet cardboard." Despite this, the soda was still fizzy, indicating it had not gone bad from a simple sensory standpoint. Extending this analogy, a 39-year-old soda might still have some fizz, but the taste would likely be very off.

Expert Opinions

One user suggested not to open the soda, as it might not have that characteristic "fizz" sound when opened, indicating potential spoilage. Another user proposed putting the bottle on a shelf as a novelty piece, which aligns with other users' recommendations to treat the soda as a conversation starter rather than a drink.

Given the information, while the contents of a 39-year-old glass bottle of sodas can be safely consumed from a hygiene standpoint, the taste is likely to be significantly subpar. For those with a collection or just a nostalgic piece of their past, it might be best to share or sell it, rather than consume it. However, if you're adventurous, you might want to crack it open and savor a taste of the past, just with the knowledge that your taste buds might not appreciate the experience.

Key Takeaways: A 39-year-old sealed soda bottle can be safely consumed, though the taste is likely to be sodas may undergo slight chemical changes over time but remain sodas may lose their sweetness over time, making the taste poorer.