Does Kimchi Go Bad?
Kimchi is a fermented food and as such, it can last for a long time. However, it can lose its flavor and texture over time, and the fermentation process can continue even after it has been opened. If stored in a cool and dry place, it can last for several months. However, it is recommended to consume it within a few weeks of opening for best taste.
| Storage Places | Shelf Life |
| Fridge | 4-9 months |
| Freezer | 3 months |
| Room Temperature | 6 months |
It is hard to tell how long does Kimchi last in the fridge after opening, since that could change depending on the size of container you bought, brand you bought, and how fast you eat your Kimchi. Well, when it comes to how long you can store Kimchi, and how you should store it, all depends on how you like it, and when you plan on eating it. Make sure to take steps to ensure your kimchi is kept in optimal conditions, so that you can have nothing but a wonderful experience with it. It depends on too many factors, such as how long you store the kimchi before you open it, what temperatures, and what level of acidity you are comfortable with your kimchi.
The best way to store it is also unclear, with some people suggesting keeping it in the refrigerator, and others saying that you can keep it in your pantry. When it comes to home-made kimchi, the best way to make sure that it ferments correctly is to keep it in the refrigerator.
Kimchi only ferments more, meaning the kimchi gets sourer the longer you store it. Yes, you should expect your kimchi to have a sour flavor, and it is best to keep in mind that it is going to get sourer the longer you have your kimchi. As the kimchi gets more fermented, the sourness will increase over time, but this does not mean that your kimchi has gone bad.
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If you purchase a fresh jar of kimchi and place it right into your refrigerator, it will have a lower sourness than if you had kept it at room temperature until opening. An opened jar of kimchi could have been stored at room temperature, however, kimchi will continue to ferment at room temperature far more quickly than it will at refrigeration. You can store unopened kimchi either at room temperature or in the refrigerator, depending on if you prefer yours to be more or less acidic.
If you do not have the room for refrigerating a large jar of kimchi, you can store it at room temperature for about one week. If you are going to buy your kimchi at the store rather than making your own, be sure it is stored in a sealed, refrigerated space roughly at the same temperature as your home fridge. If you would like to have kimchi that is slowly fermented and will last for as long as possible, you might consider getting a kimchi refrigerator.
If you find that your kimchi is not quite as sour as you would like, you can leave your jars out at room temperature for 1 day, and put them in the fridge for the fermentation process to slow. You can keep the jar at room temperature for another couple days; however, the resulting kimchi will be pretty acidic, plus, the jar might explode like champagne when opened. If you would like to have a stronger tartness to your kimchi, you can leave it fermenting in the refrigerator for up to three months. Kimchi cannot keep fermenting forever, so if it is kept too long or is stored improperly, it will spoil.
Opened kimchi continues to ferment as it ages, becoming more acidic and thicker — this may make it less appealing. Of course, kimchi may get worse, but if you care for it well, it may survive months beyond the date on the label, and years. The chart shown above is only an estimate for when kimchi is best consumed, but kimchi can turn bad well before that time, or well after, depending on how it is stored.
These fluctuations mean you should never assume the kimchi in your refrigerator is going to last longer than a couple months. Kimchi may still continue to be safe for consumption for up to 3 months, provided that no mold develops, indicating sourness.
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If you see any sort of spots on your kimchi, or you see mold growing on top, that means your kimchi is also spoiled. If your kimchi looks and smells fine, then you probably are not going to get any harm from tasting a little bit, even if it is nearing spoilage. If you have made your own kimchi a lot of times, and are pretty familiar with what it is supposed to smell like, you can test for freshness by sniffing.
You would also like to know whether or not kimchi that you have purchased recently has gone bad, and how you can tell, as Kimchi has already developed a strong odor and acidic flavor. In other words, you are better off not going ahead and doing the taste test because unless the kimchi smells great, chances are good that it is going to taste terrible. Kimchi will already have some sour flavor and aroma, but if you think that a kimchi has gotten so much sour it is becoming unappetizing, that means that the kimchi is spoiling.
Yes, kimchi does indeed get bad, and the process by which it gets bad will vary depending on how you keep the kimchi. Fermented foods such as kimchi, which have no precise shelf life, sometimes can be difficult to tell whether or not it is still okay to use or if you need to throw it out. As mentioned, because best-by dates are only estimates for when we should consume the kimchi in order to extract the best flavors from it, it may still be fine to consume if stored correctly, even past its labeled date.
Expect opened kimchi to last 3-6 months in your fridge, which is the best place to store your kimchi. In the 3-6 month phase, your kimchi will continue to ferment, get more sour in flavor from lactic acid production, and get more mushi.
Is kimchi supposed to taste fizzy?
Kimchi isn’t dangerous, and as long as it doesn’t taste “off,” the fizziness isn’t a cause for concern. Fizzy kimchi is simply a matter of preference. Some enjoy it as a sign of a properly fermented batch, while others dislike the subtle “burning sensation” on their tongue.
Does kimchi go bad in the refrigerator?
The answer is yes, kimchi can go bad in the fridge. However, it will take much longer for kimchi to spoil in the fridge than it would at room temperature. Properly stored, kimchi can last for months or even years in the fridge. To extend the shelf life of kimchi, be sure to store it in an airtight container.
What happens if you eat bad kimchi?
If you eat bad kimchi, you may experience stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms are the result of food poisoning, which can occur when kimchi is not refrigerated properly or if it is contaminated with bacteria. In severe cases, food poisoning can lead to death. Therefore, it is important to be careful when eating food.