How Long Does Coconut Water Last
Coconut water from freshly crack opened coconut can last only for 1 to 2 days. It is suggested to consume coconut water fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days. Once opened it starts to spoil quickly.
Various manufacturers provide varying times for how long the coconut milk drinks last once opened. If coconut drinks are close to or past their expiration dates, always check for signs of spoilage before drinking. If you buy coconut water in an unrefrigerated section, you can store it out of the refrigerator without worrying; however, this type of coconut water should also be refrigerated once opened.
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Another place to keep coconut water is to store it in the fridge, as it helps to keep the beverage fresh longer. Once you have opened up any container of coconut water, it lasts up to 3 days, provided you stored it properly. Coconut water eventually goes bad, but you can store it for up to 12 months in an unopened container as long as it is stored cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight.
| Temperature | Storage |
| Opened | 1-2 days |
| In refrigerator | 2 days |
| Unopened container | Up to 12 months |
If it is kept cool, it may take months to spoil, for instance, but if it is been exposed to high temperatures for too long, the beverage will spoil in just a couple of days. The quality of an unopened coconut water bottle can quickly degrade within only 3-5 days after opening a bottle from a fridge, whereas it can deteriorate within just a few hours from room temperature. The reason behind this is that Kirkland Organic Coconut Water is devoid of preservatives and additives, because of this, your Vita Coco Coconut Water is shelf-stable, meaning that you need to refrigerate it before opening too.
Some brands add preservatives to water in order to keep it shelf-stable, whereas others are going additive-free, often requiring you to keep your product in the refrigerator. No matter what quality, sugar content, or health benefits are touted on the package, if water has been packed into cartons or cans, Australian law dictates that it must be pasteurized. If water is opaque and has cloudy texture, it is no longer fit to consume.
When the water is still within the coconut, and has not been exposed to earth elements, it is clear, and it stays clear for some time after exposure. This tells you how long coconut water that is been packaged or bottled will keep its best qualities, and you have a clue as to how long to store in the pantry. That is because it is nearly identical to saltwater, and so long as it is drawn straight from the coconuts heart, it is going to do wonders.
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Coconut water also contains phosphorus, which builds bones, teeth, and DNA; iron, which helps carry oxygen around the body; calcium, which helps build stronger teeth and bones; magnesium, which helps regulate muscle contractions; and zinc, which helps with cell growth. Even then, so long as brown coconut water is not contaminated, it is actually not harmful, since it simply turns to the same thing that tastes like vinegar. While water from white coconuts is potable and sterile, water from brown coconuts has probably turned acidic from fermentation.
Finally, if the flavor is somewhat acidic rather than sweet and coconut-y, that means it has started to degrade in quality. Experts advise you do not let it sit out in the fridge for more than 3 to 4 hours, otherwise, it loses the freshness. It is best to consume anything once opened, or immediately put back into the fridge if you are not using within the next hour.
Taste is the reason some will recommend that you either consume it all rather than saving it for later days. An open one only stays good for around two or three days, so be sure to consume within this period. Or, of course, there is the good ol fashioned, humble whole coconut, though they differ wildly on how long they are best consumed.
There are a lot of brands, in various different packing methods (bottle, tetra pack, coconut) and each has its shelf life. Many people will look at the shelf life printed on a coconut bottle or pack, and they will be shocked.
Unfortunately, a lot of coconuts purchased from stores will show signs of mold (usually on the bottom side) and that is a good indicator that things are not going great inside, if they are suffering from this external condition. If you notice the coconuts end have holes like eyes, this is the place for the mold, the bacteria to flourish.
Avoid those that are gray, yellow-green, or brown in spots, because those with gray are probably ripe or old, and will have more of the coconut flesh in them rather than water. When choosing a whole coconut, always look for any cracks, black spots, or soft spots in the green exterior shell, and if you find any, do not waste time or energy cracking it open, because your efforts are more likely to be rewarded with something that tastes acidic and is unappetizing. If you wish to save coconut meat, chop it up into manageable pieces that will fit into a sealed Ziploc bag or Tupperware container before placing in the freezer.
You might be tempted to simply throw a coconut into the freezer rather than going through the process of draining water and scraping the flesh off. If you are looking to preserve it for later, you will need to strain out the water via a cheesecloth-lined strainer after opening the coconut, and put the water into an airtight container that is freezer-safe. While I never had to resort to the method mentioned above, I really do love drinking coconut water after a hard workout, particularly a long race such as a marathon, because it contains a proper balance of all of the necessary electrolytes that our bodies need to rehydrate and recover.
While coconut water that you purchase from the non-refrigerated section will generally remain fine for up to a year, even unrefrigerated, one sold in the refrigerated section becomes hazardous to drink, even quickly, as soon as two hours of sitting at room temperature. The sterilised coconita water is then stored in wax-sealed glass bottles or polypropylene bottles in a refrigerator at 5 degrees Celsius, and is tested each month for its quality and properties.
How do you tell if a coconut is spoiled?
The three triangle-shaped openings in the coconut, which are known as the fruit’s “eyes,” are present. Checking the coconuts is one of the best ways to find out if something is wrong with them. The coconut has ruined if there is dampness, mildew, or liquid leaking on the eyes.
What happens if I drink rotten coconut water?
As the sugars ferment, they will start to taste awful, so you’ll know when it’s bad. Even then, it won’t actually be dangerous if it isn’t polluted because it will just convert into vinegar, which is what it already tastes like. The alcohol content in coconuts increases with time. If you sip either one straight up, it’s very disgusting.
Is it OK to drink expired coconut water?
The recommended storage times are for best quality only; beyond that, the color or flavor of unopened coconut water may change, but in most situations, if it has been stored correctly and the bottle is undamaged, the coconut water will still be safe to drink.