How long does kombucha last after opening? Does Kombucha go bad?
In this blog post, I will try to answer a couple of questions, among others, especially, “How long does kombucha last after opening?”, and “does kombucha go bad?” Read on if you are interested in knowing more about kombucha and how to store it.
What exactly is Kombucha?
Kombucha is an intoxicating tea beverage that is advertised as an effective remedy to treat all types of digestive health problems. The process used to make this drink is similar to that of wine and sauerkraut, which raises the question: can the probiotic drink with fizzy fizz get rotten? And how long does Kombucha last after opening?
Quick Answer
Kombucha is a complex drink. It is permissible to drink for a long time; however, it will become increasingly acidic while it is fermenting. If stored at room temperature, it could be unusable within two months. Certain brands even pasteurize their kombucha, making it shelf-stable up to six months. The kombucha that is refrigerated, unopened, will remain fresh for between 6 and 8 months. After the bottle is opened, it’s advised to drink the entire bottle within the first 48 hours.
If the flavor and the health benefits of kombucha suit your lifestyle, then you’ll be interested in knowing the best ways to keep it in your fridge and when to drink it.
How long can kombucha be stored after it is opened?
After the seal of the bottle of kombucha is damaged and the deterioration process begins, it is going to occur quickly. The kombucha will become less fizzy and the flavor is no longer the same. It is suggested for the transfer of the kombucha in an airtight container to keep it fresher for a longer time. When the bottles are opened, it’s suggested to drink the kombucha within one week to get the best taste.
In the refrigerator
- Store-bought kombucha(unopened): 2 to 3 months after the date printed on the label
- Buy it at the store kombucha(opened): One week
- Homemade kombucha: 1-3 months
How to store kombucha?
Kombucha that you buy from a store can be kept at ambient temperature or even in the fridge. The most efficient practice for storage is to put your kombucha in the refrigerator. If it is stored in a room at room temp, the heat from the sun and fluctuations in temperature will affect the quality.
The microbial community that is found in kombucha swells quickly at room temperature, producing an increasing amount of acid and carbon dioxide, and your kombucha may taste like vinegar. Kombucha made at home must be kept stored in a refrigerator.
How can I tell if my Kombucha has gone bad?
Mold
If you notice foamy or fizzy colored spots around either the cap, or even on the surface of the kombucha. It is an obvious sign of spoilage. Get rid of it as soon as you can.
Vinegar-like taste
The kombucha that smells very vinegary could indicate that the kombucha has been overly fermented. It is possible to throw out the kombucha because of quality issues, but it’s safe to drink.
Floaties
Floaties are normal. They usually occur in the form of string-like brown grains or grains. They are yeast strains that ferment kombucha.
How does kombucha get made?
Create Scoby
SCOBY can be an abbreviation for Symbiotic Colony composed of Bacteria and Yeast. It is the basis of Kombucha and is often called the mother of mushrooms or even by its name. To create your own SCOBY Follow the steps in the following paragraphs.
Ingredients
- Seven cups of water or 1.6 L of pure water
- Half cup white sugar (100 grams)
- 4 bags of black tea (or 1 Tbsp loose tea)
- 1 cup (235 milliliters) unpasteurized and unflavored store-bought kombucha
- Ceramic or glass container (two containers that hold at minimum half a gal (1.9 L) each or one jug containing at minimum one gal (3.7 L)).
- Cloth that is tightly woven (coffee filters napkins, paper towels, napkins cheesecloth)
- Rubberbands
Instructions
In a saucepan, heat water. Take it off the stove and let it dissolve sugar. Don’t use sugar in place of honey because it increases the likelihood of Botulism.
Make sure to add kombucha tea. Let it sit until the tea is at temperatures of room temperature.
Pour the sweetened Kombucha into a jar, and then cover the jar with a tight-woven cloth. The cloth should be secured with rubber bands.
The jar should be kept in a dark place, between 21-24 degrees Celsius for 1-4 weeks or until a 1/4 inch SCOBY has developed.
The first fermentation
Ingredients
- 14 cups (3.5 quarts, 3.3 L) clean water
- 1 cup of white sugar (200 grams)
- 8 bags green or black tea (or 2 Tbsp loose leaf)
- 2 cups (470 milliliters) unflavored Kombucha
- 1 or 2 1 or 2 SCOBYs (Use one per container)
- Ceramic or glass container (two containers that hold at minimum half a one gallon (1.9 L) each or one jug containing at minimum one gal (3.7 L)).
- A tightly woven cloth (coffee filters napkins, paper towels, napkins cheesecloth)
- Rubberbands
How Long Does Kombucha Last After Opening?
Instructions
In a pot, boil water and then mix sugar into it after removing it from the heat. Incorporate kombucha tea, and let it infuse until the water reaches the temperature of room.
Transfer the SCOBY onto an unsterilized plate using fresh hands.
Pour the tea that has been sweetened and brewed into a sterilized container, followed by unflavored starter kombucha, and the final SCOBY.
Cover the jar tightly weaved cloth and secure it using rubber bands. Place the jar in a dark location between 21-24 degrees Celsius for 6-10 days.
Check your kombucha’s taste on the 6th of the month using straws. It should taste acidic and sweet. It should also taste slightly vinegary.
Take 2 cups of this batch to make use of in the next stage to serve as a starting point.
The second fermentation
Ingredients
- Reserved kombucha from the initial fermentation
- Sweetener (fruit honey, fruit sugar).
- A few fermentation bottles with flip-tops.
- You can also use canning jars even though they’re not airtight.
Instructions
Then strain the kombucha and pour it into bottles with the funnel. You should leave 1-1/2 inches of space at the top.
You can add a sweetener that you prefer and close the bottle.
Place the bottle or bottles in a dark location. Allow it to ferment up to 2-10 days temperatures of room temperature.
How do you keep store-bought Kombucha?
We’ll start with kombucha that you can buy at the store. As I mentioned in the intro, the process of storing commercially bottled kombucha is complicated.
Certain brands, such as Cathy’s Kombucha, say you can keep in a refrigerator at room temperature up to up to half an entire year with no consequences. However there is GT’s kombucha and a host of other brands that require refrigeration.
The most effective way to do that is to make sure the bottle states that you can leave it at room temp and then keep it cool and refrigerated.
Pro Tip: How Long Does Kombucha Last After Opening?
If you don’t refrigerate your kombucha, ensure that the bottle is kept away from direct sunlight and source of warmth. Both of these can harm the live cultures present in the beverage.
Kombucha is a food that is cultured and high in probiotics, comparable to yogurt and kefir.
The cultures tend to become significantly more active at the temperature of room, which could result in excessive carbonation, as well as a tart flavor. In extreme circumstances the kombucha may change into vinegar, which is absolutely not what you’re looking for.
However, it is important to note that if the manufacturer states that you are allowed to keep their beverage (which can be described as fermentation tea) in the kitchen or in the pantry you are free to do that.
They’ve prepared the kombucha in such an approach that allows it to keep it at room temperature for a longer time.
If you make homemade Kombucha, it’s stored in the refrigerator, just like the other brands sold in stores.
Naturally, you’ll take it out to the fridge after you’ve finished making it. This is because the cold temperature slows the process of fermentation significantly (and this is the reason we usually keep the kombucha in the refrigerator).
How do you freeze Kombucha?
Certain experts believe that the freezing of kombucha can destroy the probiotics that make it a health drink. This could be because of the slow-freezing process at fault. However, it is believed that it is possible to flash-freeze kombucha in order to keep at least half of the probiotics that it has.
You can freeze kombucha using an airtight container that has the room to expand. Some recommend that you make kombucha from a store directly in the container you purchased it in. Others suggest pouring the kombucha in a bigger airtight bottle.
It is possible to flash-freeze Kombucha at home. All you need to do is dip your sealed container of kombucha within an ice bucket and sprinkle salt on it until it is solid. Transfer it into the freezer.
Kombucha is a great ingredient for frozen desserts. You can keep all the beneficial probiotic properties and have a refreshing popsicle or Slushy made from kombucha, generally frozen or fresh fruit.
It isn’t advised for freezing the SCOBY, however, it is possible. The living organism involved in the production of kombucha could end up dying when frozen, but there are some who believe that it is possible to flash freeze the SCOBY without harming.
How can I thaw Kombucha?
The kombucha should be thawed in the fridge and then plan to drink it within the next day. After thawing, the cultures would be dying if stored in the fridge or the room temperature.
Because it needs to be consumed quickly, it is suggested to make small batches of kombucha to freeze. This is the reason that people often make popsicles and Slushies with it and then store the drink in the refrigerator instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Kombucha Last After Opening?
What exactly is an SCOBY? It is the abbreviation for Symbiotic The Culture of Bacteria as well as Yeast. It is an organism living in the body that produces beneficial yeast and bacteria, and has the benefit of probiotics. It’s a gummy layer of substance which typically is found on the surface however you may discover “baby SCOBY” forming at the bottom of every bottle of kombucha.
Can kombucha become alcoholic? In addition to sugar, kombucha may be converted into an alcoholic beverage that is similar to beer. It is because yeast feeds on sugar and produces alcohol. This is not likely to occur with the bottle kombucha you purchased from the supermarket, especially when you keep it in the refrigerator. However, if you’re making Kombucha at home, then you can make it into a alcoholic drink.
Wrapping Up
How Long Does Kombucha Last After Opening?
This article addressed this question “How long does kombucha last after opening?”, and does kombucha go bad?
This drink is beneficial for those who want to be healthy and fit. Humankind has consumed it for over two millennia. It’s carbonated, and has caffeine in it which makes it an excellent alternative to soft drinks that are sugary. Make sure to store it correctly and you’ll be able enjoy a good digestion balance.