Do you love the taste of Kombucha but don’t know how long it will last? You’re not alone. The truth is, many people have questions about this fermented beverage and its shelf life. It can be confusing to figure out when many different producers have different recommendations.
In general, unopened storebought Kombucha lasts for three to six months when properly stored in the fridge. When it’s been opened, it lasts for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator. Homemade kombucha, when properly stored and bottled, will last for up to six months as well.
Kombucha is a living organism that is probiotic and resistant to many toxic bacterias. This means that it doesn’t expire as quickly as juice or other beverages, but it does react to its environment.
That’s why it is important for Kombucha drinkers to always store the beverage in a cool and dry place with an appropriate level of humidity. This will maintain the probiotics that are still viable after production and storage. It should also be kept away from direct
Additionally, not all kombucha is created or stored equally. Its shelf life will depend on a few factors: what type of kombucha are you drinking? Did it come in a bottle or can? What temperature do you keep your home at? Answering these questions should give you an idea as to how long your drink will last.
How Long Does Kombucha Last?
While Kombucha generally lasts from one week to six months depending on its conditions, it does behave differently due to the fact that its a probiotic. Kombucha is made from living bacteria that can react to its environment. It serves as a preservative which can make it last longer since it is resistant to other microorganisms.
This means that both your storebought and homemade kombucha have the potential to last much longer than recommended dates. The catch is that your beverage will likely continue to ferment. When kombucha ferments, it becomes less sweet and more acidic. This means you will have a dry, tart, and carbonated drink if it sits for a very long time.
Refrigeration greatly slows down the fermentation process, however, it doesn’t halt it. Eventually, when all of the sugar content has been fermented from your stored kombucha, it will become too acidic to drink. It then starts converting to vinegar. While this is still useful and you can it as a healthy homemade vinegar, it’s likely past its prime as a kombucha beverage.
Does Kombucha Go Bad After The Expiration Date?
Kombucha has an indefinite shelf life, which means that it will last for a very long time. The expiration date serves as a guideline for a completely safe experience. Store-bought kombucha is often pasteurized, meaning that it has been through a pasteurization process to kill any and all bacteria. In this case, you won’t have to worry about your kombucha going bad.
However, if you’re drinking the homemade variety without pasteurization then your drink will eventually turn into vinegar as it continues to ferment. This can take years, but it will eventually happen. You can keep kombucha fresh by “feeding” it, which consists of adding a small amount of sugar and tea to your drink regularly.
Ultimately the expiration date serves as a guideline for safe drinking and should not be seen as a hard-and-fast rule. If you’re still curious about how long your Kombucha will last, it’s always a good idea to contact the producer.
How Can I Tell If My Kombucha has gone bad?
Unfortunately, it will be very difficult to tell if your Kombucha has gone bad. There are some indicators you can look for: the flavor may be lacking or flat; there is a taste of vinegar in the brew, or the kombucha has changed colors ranging from grayish-brown to pink. You might also notice fermentation sediment at the bottom of the bottle and a yeasty smell when you open it up.
If your Kombucha still smells good, tastes ok, and you want to be extra safe, then consider the use-by date as an indicator for whether your beverage is good or bad.
If your Kombucha doesn’t fit these criteria then it is fine to drink until its alcohol content reaches about 5% ABV (10-12 grams) per liter.
Homemade Kombucha
Sometimes homemade kombucha can go bad, and this is usually because of sanitation conditions. One way to avoid this is to make sure you are using a clean and sanitized container. It’s also important that you use the proper temperature to brew your kombucha, and that you use a sugar source like cane or beetroot. Using quality tea is also key to brewing a good batch of kombucha.
Make sure to avoid chlorinated water because it might kill the bacteria or yeast. Use filtered or distilled water for the health
How Can I Make My Kombucha Last Longer?
If you’re buying storebought kombucha, keep it in the fridge and use it as soon as possible. If you’re traveling with it, make sure to keep it out of sunlight, which can affect the probiotics in the beverage.
If you’re making homemade kombucha, make sure to sanitize your fermentation station as much as possible. This will help keep harmful bacteria out of your drink. Make sure that you are using fresh, unpasteurized sugar cane juice to ferment the mixture, and make sure there’s a good amount of chlorine in the water to inhibit any wild yeast or bacteria from growing.
Additionally, remember to keep your kombucha at a cool temperature while it’s fermenting. If the mixture is too warm or cold when you add in the culture starter and yeast mix, this can affect its shelf life dramatically.
Once fermentation has completed, transfer the Kombucha liquid into sanitized bottles for storage! Never reuse a bottle that has already been used for kombucha or another fermented beverage before sanitizing it.
Drinking Kombucha can be a wonderful experience, so it’s important to keep these tips in mind when storing and fermenting!
Does Homemade Kombucha Last Longer Than Storebought Kombucha?
Since homemade kombucha hasn’t been pasteurized and is an active probiotic beverage, it will likely last longer than a storebought kombucha. As mentioned earlier, it’s important to feed your kombucha with tea and sugar regularly if it’s sitting for a long period of time.
Homemade kombucha will last much longer if you keep it in a clean, sanitized container, avoid using chlorinated water when brewing it, and use fresh unpasteurized sugar cane juice.
Keeping all kombucha cool will slow down the fermentation process no matter what variety you have on hand.
Summary
Kombucha is a resilient beverage that can last a very long time, due to its probiotic nature. The fact that it’s able to minimize the spread of harmful bacteria is part of the reason it’s such a popular drink for digestive wellness.
The best way to ensure freshness is by using a clean and sanitized container when fermenting your batch and to immediately refrigerate storebought kombucha when bringing it home. Otherwise, you can rest safe knowing that if there isn’t something noticeably wrong with the taste, smell, or look of your kombucha, that it’s most likely safe to drink.
