If you’ve landed on this page, you undoubtedly drink the fizzy tart drink that we know as kombucha. And while it’s a tasty beverage, you may wonder how fermentation affects the shelf life and drink quality over time.
What if you left your open drink on the counter for a few hours? Perhaps you bought a 64 oz bottle and haven’t finished it a month later. Is it safe to drink?
Does Kombucha go bad? No. Homebrewed kombucha, if properly stored, can last 1-3 months; however, store-bought kombucha (though it doesn’t go bad) has a few caveats that I will cover below, so keep reading.
To fully understand its potential shelf life, It’s best to know what kombucha is and how its brewed.
Kombucha is just fermented tea. Good bacteria and yeasts from the SCOBY combine with sweet tea, transforming into the fizzy drink we love. Of course, there are a few more steps, and if you like to DIY, learn how to make kombucha right here!
The SCOBY eats the sugar in the sweet tea and the already fermented starter tea and turns the kombucha acidic, giving it the tart taste that makes your mouth pucker.
Once the kombucha reaches the desired level of tartness, it’s often carbonated, bottled, and refrigerated.
The last step slows down the fermentation process, stabilizing the kombucha and helping it maintain its flavor profile.
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Does Kombucha Actually Expire?
It depends on what expired means to your nose and tastebuds. Kombucha is a fermented drink; left unchecked at room temperature, it will continue to ferment and become acidic until it becomes vinegar.
Although it won’t taste great, it’s not unsafe to drink; think of it as similar to apple cider vinegar, but also know that it will have a higher alcohol content the longer it ferments.
As mentioned above, refrigerated kombucha (home-brewed) can last for months if properly stored. The major drawback is the loss of carbonation if not kept in airtight bottles.
Most store-bought brands will have a “sell by” or “best by” date printed on the bottle, but rest assured, you can drink kombucha beyond those dates if stored correctly in the refrigerator.
In my experience, store-bought kombucha loses its fizz in a week, give or take a few days, so it’s still best to consume it as quickly as possible.
How Can You Tell If Kombucha Has Gone Bad?
You will want to look for obvious signs of mold and any off smells that don’t agree with your snoot.
The next test is acidity if there are no signs of mold or off-putting smells. I prefer my kombucha to be on the tart side of things, but that’s not right for everyone. If you like your kombucha to be less pucker-inducing, you should drink it at a faster pace.
Kombucha doesn’t go bad; it just changes over time, but in the end, you are the best judge, so go with your gut.
How long can you keep kombucha in the fridge?
Kombucha doesn’t last very long in my household. Still, as discussed above, homebrewed kombucha can last 1-3 months, but you’ll want to ensure you have air-tight bottles to avoid losing carbonation—I keg and force carbonate for maximum fizziness.
Store-bought bottles should be enjoyed within a week for optimal flavor and fizziness, but you can drink them beyond the dates listed on the bottle and still be okay.
Can Expired Kombucha Make You Sick?
It shouldn’t, but you’ll want to use your best judgment when drinking store-bought kombucha after the date printed on the bottle.
Carbonation, acidity, and flavors can change the longer kombucha sits, so if you’re concerned about these things, you should drink your kombucha within about a week of purchase, and when in serious doubt, toss it and get a new fresh bottle.
Conclusion
Does kombucha go bad? No, it’s not similar to spoiled milk or produce. If left at room temperature, fermentation will restart, making it more acidic while producing more alcohol, carbonation, and turning it into vinegar.
Refrigerated, you’ll mainly lose carbonation in store-bought bottles after about a week, while home-brewed kombucha keeps longer (1-3 months) if kept in air-tight bottles.
If you want to enjoy kombucha that lasts for months and you’re not afraid to DIY and get your hands a little slimy, learn to make kombucha in 3 easy steps right here.
Cheers!