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Do you have a few bottles of Kombucha in your refrigerator for a while, and you’re unsure whether you should still consume or throw them out? How can you possibly tell if it has gone wrong when Kombucha naturally contains bacteria and yeast?
Kombucha is the product of fermenting certain teas such as green tea, black tea, or oolong tea using a culture of bacteria and yeast called SCOBY — also known as the mother. The fermentation process generates acid, a trace of alcohol, and gases that contribute to the Kombucha’s fizziness. However, the microbes present are more than just tiny organisms; they generate probiotics that ease digestion and improve one’s gut health.
Since Kombucha uses a SCOBY, it can lose its quality and flavor if not stored and handled correctly. Leaving your Kombucha outside the refrigerator or not securely sealing the bottle can affect the fermentation. Either way, controlling the microbial population is essential in increasing your Kombucha’s shelf life by ensuring your brew is clean.
If you want to find out the tell-tale signs of Kombucha gone wrong, whether you should consume it, how long should you store Kombucha in the refrigerator, and whether old Kombucha can make you sick — keep reading.
How Can You Tell If Kombucha Has Gone Bad?
Kombucha may already be considered “bad” due to its thriving yeast and bacterial population. However, depending on the type of microbes growing in the Kombucha determines whether or not it is safe for consumption.
If your Kombucha has been sitting for a few days and you’re having second thoughts about drinking it, here are some things to look out for:
1. The Kombucha Has Mold
Spotting a young SCOBY in the form of a few strands of gel-like substances in the drink is not unusual, but be observant because sometimes mold may start growing even on a young SCOBY. Mold is an indication that your Kombucha has gone wrong. So, if you find mold surrounding the bottle, throw out the batch right away. While mold is rare due to the acidic environment of Kombucha, there are still instances it may occur.
So how can you determine whether those floating objects are mold or SCOBY? The latter resembles pudding and is white-ish in color. Additionally, SCOBY would mostly be floating inside the bottle. On the other hand, Mold appears bluish-white or black and has a fluffy consistency. Mold also does not form inside the liquid but instead on the bottle’s top or around the sides.
2. It Tastes Like Vinegar
Kombucha is naturally an acidic drink due to the acetic acid produced by fermentation. However, suppose it is at room temperature for far too long. In that case, the fermentation process will speed up, and it will soon turn highly acidic for consumption. Most people encounter this type of Kombucha when it becomes too sour to drink but are far from becoming vinegar. Therefore, you may discard or let it sit at room temperature for another week to transform into vinegar.
Since the SCOBY is alive, it will inevitably use up all the sugar and replace it with a strong sour-like taste. Kombucha is a balance between tea, sugar, and acid, and if this balance becomes disrupted, Kombucha may not be palatable.
You may do a tasting test to evaluate whether your Kombucha is drinkable. Drinking a small amount will not do any harm, and you can quickly tell if it is too acidic or not. But if you’re not comfortable with this method, get some pH strips to test its pH level. Best to check if the pH level falls between 2.5 and 3.5 for safe consumption.
3. A Foul Smell From The Bottle
Despite kombucha having a very distinct smell, especially when it turns into vinegar, still, it should not reek an acrid odor. However, if that is the case, it’s a strong indication that your Kombucha has contamination of mold or other microbes.
There are also other inherent properties of Kombucha, which people often mistake for bad Kombuchas, such as sediment; sediment at the bottom of the drink is pretty standard. It may look unaesthetic and a bit gross. You can gently tilt the bottle to mix it up. However, be careful – do not shake the bottle vigorously as it may explode the way champagne does due to the carbonation.
Kombucha is an effervescent drink due to the presence of living microbes. But the level of effervescence or fizz depends on various factors such as the storage conditions and storage time. So, fizz or lack thereof does not mean your Kombucha has gone wrong. However, if the fizz is less than you anticipated, the fermentation is slowing down, and your Kombucha may not retain its quality for much longer.
Lastly, there are bound to be many strands forming in the liquid. These strands are newly created SCOBY. SCOBYs are used to make Kombucha, and it develops over time. The freshly formed SCOBY is safe to consume since these are good bacteria and yeast. But if you instead find it disgusting, you may use a strainer colander to filter it out.
Is It Okay To Drink Kombucha Past The Expiration Date?
Many people assume Kombucha does not expire because it is a fermented product. However, that is not true. Kombucha does expire, but the fermentation makes the product last longer than other drinks.
Yes, you may drink Kombucha beyond the expiry date to keep it simple. So if you’re keen on consuming Kombucha beyond its expiration, you should keep a few factors in mind. First, unopened, expired Kombucha can be safe to drink months after the expiry date if it is well sealed and stored correctly. Proper handling entails refrigeration and preventing air from contacting the beverage. Finally, if it starts to smell and has an overly tart taste, you should reconsider consuming it.
However, once you’ve opened your Kombucha, things can get a little tricky from here. It is exposed to various factors such as moisture and contaminants in the air, speeding up the fermentation process. Gradually, it will start losing flavor and fizz. In this case, try to store your kombucha in a sealed container to prevent decomposition and consume it within a few days after opening.
How Long Can You Keep Kombucha In The Refrigerator?
Kombucha can safely be stored in the refrigerator for 6 – 8 months because the highly acidic environment and presence of good microbes prevent any harmful bacteria from making their home in the bottle. Refrigeration also slows down the fermentation process as the SCOBY becomes inactive; this helps preserve its taste and flavor.
However, if you have a can of Kombucha, you should consume it immediately since it is challenging to reseal a can after opening. In contrast, a resealable bottle can last for approximately 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator after opening.
Can Old Kombucha Make You Sick?
Generally, consuming old Kombucha well past its expiry date does not cause problems. But if you have some underlying health issues such as a compromised immune system, your body may struggle to fight off the bacteria you ingested.
In some instances, expired or old Kombucha may contain an excessive number of harmful bacteria that may cause an upset stomach, mild infections, or allergic reactions.
So, to be on the safe side, it is better not to experiment with Kombucha that you feel is old and has not been stored properly.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that Kombucha may last longer than other drinks due to its low pH, but it may still go bad after a particular time. Overall, the composition changes based on packaging, storage conditions, exposure to contaminants, etc.
Drinking old or contaminated Kombucha might not harm you if you’re a healthy individual but may affect those with weak immune systems. Thus, if you want your Kombucha to last long, keep it refrigerated and sealed to enjoy this healthy drink’s benefits.
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