How Long Does Kombucha Last After Opening
Kombucha can last one week after opening. Because as soon as kombucha is opened, it interacts with air and loses its carbonation, so it is recommended to use it within one week. However, you can store kombucha in the fridge for 5 to 7 days after opening.
It is fine to consume your kombucha for 5-7 days after it is opened, provided that it is kept refrigerated. If you leave your kombucha outside the refrigerator, unopened, you can expect it to last for 1 -2 months before flavors change. If, however, you have opened your kombucha, you will want to make sure that it stays refrigerated and consumed within a week.
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As a result, leaving your kombucha outside to ferment once open will extend the fermentation process. Once you open the kombucha, it is critical to either consume it or refrigerate your beverage again. If you leave kombucha unrefrigerated, the beverage will also continue to ferment and produce more carbon dioxide, which could result in your bottle of kombucha blowing up as you open it.
| Storage | Shelf life |
| In fridge (after opening) | 5-7 days |
| Unopened | 1-2 months |
The primary issue occurs because of fermentation occurring inside of your kombucha bottle when left out in the cold. The same thing happens at room temperature, if the sealed airtight bottle is left out, carbonation increases, and it is the reason why you should never leave your kombucha outside for too long. Once you crack the bottle, the carbonation in it will begin slowly leaking out, leaving you with flat, mostly lifeless kombucha.
While kombucha can be kept at a pH low enough to keep mould at bay, it is more than likely that any flavors you have infused into the bottle in your second fermentation are not. Note that if you keep your kombucha out of the fridge, fermentation continues to turn your kombucha acidic, to the point that it becomes vinegar. If you keep your kombucha out of the fridge, the fermentation will continue at a faster pace; increasing the carbonation, alcohol and pH levels. Refrigerating the kombucha drastically slows down the fermentation, meaning that the SCOBYs essentially halt the reactions, and kombucha can be stored without changing flavors any more.
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In a second fermentation, the kombucha, plus a little extra flavouring, is placed into a sealed bottle to increase the carbonation. Once the kombucha has cooled, you can open it slowly, preferably above a clean bowl, just to make sure that it has not gotten any more carbonated. If you are opening the kombucha, and leave the kombucha out for 48 hours, you can probably still drink it before flavors start changing.
If after opening a couple days, your kombucha starts smelling bad, and you are inclined to drink it straight from the bottle, switch to using a glass. Finally, if the kombucha starts to smell off, first try drinking it from a glass, if you usually drink it directly from the storage container.
If you open up the bottle and it has a strong, overwhelming, acidic smell, chances are, the kombucha has gone bad. Once you open the bottled kombucha, whether it is purchased at a store or made at home, there is the possibility that kombucha has lost its carbonation. Because of how kombucha is made, it is especially susceptible to heat, and should be refrigerated once opened. Kombucha is refrigerated immediately after it is made, kept cool while being transported on trucks, and kept refrigerated at stores.
Because the kombucha is already a fermented product, it often stays cold long past its labels expiration date. Most kombucha companies place an expiration date on their bottles of kombucha, but the truth is that it is generally safe to consume well past that date. Since Kombucha is fermented, it does not technically expire, and it is safe to drink past the supposed expiration date, as long as it is stored properly. If you are a regular kombucha drinker, you may be aware that it has a relatively long shelf life, meaning that it ages less rapidly than many other beverages.
Because it is already fermented, according to reports, you can keep kombucha up to 2-3 months beyond its expiration date. This means commercially produced kombucha is labeled with conservative expiration dates, even though its shelf life is longer. If a kombucha shows no signs of spoilage, then it is probably fine to drink, even if it is several months past its date on the label.
As long as the kombucha does not show any signs of the deterioration covered previously, have a small taste, then decide whether or not you think it is pretty good. If you do have a jar of kombucha, you are encouraged to drink it as soon as it is opened. It is also good practice to pour kombucha into a fresh glass rather than drinking from a bottle.
Keep in mind that store-bought kombucha can remain in peak quality for up to one week after opening in the fridge. Kombucha keeps quality between a couple months and possibly one year, depending on which brand you purchase. Depending on how it is bottled and stored, kombucha can last six to eight months, or so the packaging dates might say. Homemade kombucha lasts a lot longer, up to 3 months, though your kombucha kit will inform you of the time frame in which you can keep kombucha in your fridge.
If you leave kombucha outside for a day or two, it does not immediately go sour, but it certainly does not retain its high quality as long as if it were left constantly in the refrigerator. If you notice your kombucha tasting pretty vinegary, that could be a sign that it is been sitting around in warm temperatures too long, or it is past its shelf life. That is, kombucha may not be drinkable if left too long, because it can turn to vinegar, mold, or be contaminated.
If a bottle has a strong vinegar-like smell, then the kombucha taste will be that way as well — it is just not that nice. If your kombucha/water kefir is left outside the refrigerator and gets hot, if any sugar is left in the bottle, your kombucha/water kefir will start to ferment again and will be sourer and taste different, because yeasts and bacteria will eat up any remaining sugars and produce more CO2 gas.
How to know when kombucha is bad?
It takes a long time for kombucha to go bad, but if it has mold, tastes like vinegar, or smells wrong, it’s time to throw it out. The gel-like material that forms in the container is safe to consume and does not degrade the beverage. Filter it out if you find it offensive.
Does kombucha make you gain weight?
Drinking kombucha sometimes won’t make a difference to your waistline, but consuming it frequently may result in an excessive intake of calories and weight gain. The likelihood of being overweight or obese is higher in those who regularly consume calorie-dense beverages than in people who don’t.
What’s the best time of day to drink kombucha?
Probiotic-rich kombucha helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and cleanses the liver. To aid with digestion and maintain high levels of energy, Kombucha is best consumed in the middle of the day. It could be difficult on the stomach first thing in the morning.