Have you ever wondered if Kombucha expires? If you have, you’re certainly not alone. This is probably one of the most asked questions among many new and experienced brewers.
So does Kombucha expire? The straight answer is no.
However, it can still go bad because of improper storage and contamination. Because of its low pH, Kombucha naturally has a long shelf life and is generally safe to drink even if it is past its expiration date as long as it has been properly stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, the Kombucha should have no molds or foul smell. Its taste should also still be similar to Kombucha and not be overly tart for consumption. If Kombucha is not refrigerated and has been left at room temperature for a long time, chances are your Kombucha will continue fermenting and end up becoming Kombucha vinegar. When properly stored, Kombucha can generally last for 6 to 8 months.
Kombucha’s expiration date is arguably one of the most confusing topics for many Kombucha enthusiasts. But don’t worry because we will be explaining everything you need to know about Kombucha’s expiration in this easy to read and evidence based article.
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Why Did My SCOBY Does Kombucha Expire?
Kombucha doesn’t expire. When Kombucha gets past its expiration date on the label, it doesn’t become unsafe to drink as long as it is properly stored in the refrigerator and there are no signs that it has already gone bad. However, you can expect that it won’t be tasty and flavorful anymore. Kombucha that is past its expiration date also tends to have a vinegar taste that gets stronger as you store your Kombucha for a longer time.
Kombucha naturally has a low pH level that contributes to the long shelf life of Kombucha. This pH level prevents the development of harmful microorganisms in the drink. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just down all Kombucha you find somewhere. Kombucha can still go bad and may cause digestive issues and other side effects.
There are two ways to know whether Kombucha is still safe to drink after it goes past its expiration date. These two ways include knowing how the Kombucha has been stored and examining its quality.
Does Kombucha Expire?
Kombucha doesn’t expire. When Kombucha gets past its expiration date on the label, it doesn’t become unsafe to drink as long as it is properly stored in the refrigerator and there are no signs that it has already gone bad. However, you can expect that it won’t be tasty and flavorful anymore. Kombucha that is past its expiration date also tends to have a vinegar taste that gets stronger as you store your Kombucha for a longer time.
Kombucha naturally has a low pH level that contributes to the long shelf life of Kombucha. This pH level prevents the development of harmful microorganisms in the drink. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just down all Kombucha you find somewhere. Kombucha can still go bad and may cause digestive issues and other side effects.
There are two ways to know whether Kombucha is still safe to drink after it goes past its expiration date. These two ways include knowing how the Kombucha has been stored and examining its quality.
Before anything, you should first answer the question “Was the Kombucha properly stored in the refrigerator or not?”
Proper storage plays a significant role in the safety of Kombucha for drinking. Bottled Kombucha should be stored in the refrigerator consistently. Keeping Kombucha in the refrigerator slows down the fermentation process and preserves the tart and sweet flavor of Kombucha. However, Kombuchas that have been kept in the fridge for too long may lose their fizziness. When the fizziness is gone, the Kombucha is likely to become less appealing to the taste.
If Kombucha is not stored in the refrigerator, then the fermentation process is likely to go on even if the Kombucha is already bottled and there is no SCOBY mother to encourage fermentation. This is because Kombucha still contains some amount of bacteria and yeast from the SCOBY. These bacteria and yeasts can still encourage fermentation. The heat can also help boost the fermentation as it can speed up the chemical reaction. Kombucha that has been left at room temperature for too long tends to become very sour and acidic for consumption. When the Kombucha ferments further and becomes over fermented, it ends up as Kombucha vinegar. Kombucha vinegar is still safe to drink however it is too acidic and strong.
Examining Kombucha Quality
Next to knowing how the Kombucha was stored, you should examine your Kombucha’s quality. This means that you should check your Kombucha’s appearance, smell, and taste.
After opening your Kombucha, inspect for any appearance of molds then smell the Kombucha before drinking. The growth of molds often happens when the Kombucha has been left unrefrigerated for too long. Molds appear as fuzzy and white or colored spots. When the molds appear, that means that your Kombucha has already gone bad. It is not safe for consumption. Drinking beverages with molds can cause nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes, and many more.
If the Kombucha has a smell similar to a rotting matter, then do not ever attempt to drink it. Next to mold, this is another strong sign that your Kombucha has already gone bad. It should be disposed of accordingly.
At this point, you must be able to tell if the Kombucha has already gone bad. If you still want to taste, then it is all fine but you should know that it could lead to digestive issues. If your Kombucha’s taste seems “off” or overly tart for your consumption, then you should just definitely pop a new bottle.
You are probably thinking now why does Kombucha need to have a printed best before, sell by, or expiration date on their labels if they are safe to drink after they’ve past their expiration date anyway. We know you would ask that so we did our research and here is the answer.
While printing best before dates are not required by federal law, many Kombucha manufacturers are part of associations like the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI) that encourage product dating. These influential groups also pushed for the standardization of using the terms “Best if Used By” for non perishable items and “Use By” for highly perishable goods.
So should you ignore the expiration date on Kombucha? The simple answer is no. The expiration date remains as an important information about Kombucha. It can tell you when its peak of freshness is. Even if Kombucha is safe to drink after its expiration date. It is still best that you drink it as early as possible so you can enjoy Kombucha that has a perfect blend of sweet and tart.
If the Kombucha has a smell similar to a rotting matter, then do not ever attempt to drink it. Next to mold, this is another strong sign that your Kombucha has already gone bad and should be disposed of accordingly.
How Long Is Kombucha Good After Expiration Date?
Now that you know the answer to the question of does kombucha expire, it is now time to determine long long is kombucha good after expiration. Kombucha remains safe for consumption even if it’s past its expiration date and can be stored properly inside the refrigerator for a couple months more. However, we encourage you to drink Kombucha as soon as possible because Kombucha tends to lose some of its flavor after the expiration date.
Expired Kombucha that has been left at room temperature can also last for a number of months even after its expiration date. It can last as long as there are no molds and bad smell or taste. However, it is very likely to continue fermenting and can become too sour in just a matter of days. When your Kombucha is left to ferment longer, your Kombucha will turn to vinegar.
Remember to only keep Kombucha that doesn’t show any signs of mold or bad smell. Additionally, make sure that it is sealed and kept at a constant cold temperature. Kombucha doesn’t stop fermenting so you need a cold temperature to slow down the fermentation process. If the cold temperature is gone, your Kombucha is likely to continue fermenting and become too sour and acidic.
How Long Do Kombucha Last in the Fridge?
Generally, you can keep your Kombucha safely in the fridge for up to 8 months. With Kombucha’s acidity, opportunistic bacteria and molds will not be able to contaminate your Kombucha in the fridge. Ideally, refrigerated Kombucha should stay fresh and tasty and even the fruit flavorings should stay good.
However, if your Kombucha drink has been opened already, then 8 months is not an ideal time to keep your Kombucha in the fridge. Kombucha that has been opened can only be stored in the fridge for a week. If you plan to store your opened Kombucha inside the fridge for more than a week, make sure to not drink directly from the bottle. Drinking the Kombucha straight from the bottle can lead to contamination. This is because the mouth can house different bacteria that are harmful to Kombucha.
Storing an opened Kombucha drink for too long inside the fridge can also cause it to lose its carbonation and affect its taste. Hence, we recommend to only keep it refrigerated and consume it within a week for best taste.
How Do You Know When Kombucha Goes Bad?
The most prominent signs that the Kombucha has gone bad is the mold, rotting smell, and unappealing taste. When you spot these signs on your Kombucha, it is best to just move on and open a new bottle of Kombucha.
Consuming Kombucha that has already gone bad will not cause any serious side effects however if you consume a lot of bad Kombucha, you may experience side effects like
- Allergic reactions
- Infection
- Upset stomach
If you experience these side effects, it is always best to consult a doctor immediately.
Can Expired Kombucha Make You Sick?
Does kombucha expire? Yes. But can it make you sick as well? As we have discussed above, drinking Kombucha past its expiration date is safe and is not likely to make you sick as long as it is refrigerated and there are no signs that it has already gone bad. However, if the Kombucha is past its expiration date for too long, it can be too tart and unappealing for consumption. It’s up to your personal preference if you would still drink it, however we recommend tossing it and just buying a new bottle for a more enjoyable experience.
With a healthy SCOBY, the Kombucha should have a pH level of 2 to 4 pH. If the Kombucha becomes less acidic and more alkaline with a pH level that ranges from 7 to 14 pH, then the SCOBY is very likely to have stopped working and has already been spoiled.
