Kombucha is a fermented beverage that has become increasingly popular in recent years. But does kombucha expire? In most cases, kombucha doesn't expire. However, it takes on a more bitter and vinegary flavor the longer it is stored. Unopened kombucha can stay in good condition in the fridge for months after the bottle's expiration date, as long as no mold appears.
Both regular and hard kombucha are fermented products with a long shelf life that usually lasts from months to a year. Drinking kombucha after the specified date isn't harmful, but it won't taste the same. To maintain its sweetness and slow down the fermentation process, kombucha should be stored in a refrigerator. Poorly stored kombucha may expire because it is full of organic ingredients.
To prevent this, keep it away from sunlight and hot environments. Once the kombucha is in the second fermentation and has been bottled, its high acidity will prevent mold from growing. If mold is going to form in the kombucha, it is likely to occur during the first fermentation. Freshly made hard kombucha at home should be stored in a container with sufficient airflow away from direct light and completely covered with a cloth for one to three days before putting it in the refrigerator.
The cold temperature significantly slows down the fermentation process. When the yeast has converted all the sugar in hard kombucha, there will be no carbon dioxide left in the product responsible for the effervescence of the drink. It's also good practice to pour kombucha into a fresh glass instead of drinking it from the bottle. An old bottle of kombucha will have fermented over a longer period of time than a newer bottle. Traditional kombucha has between 1 and 3% alcohol, but mostly 1.5% ABV if made through the normal fermentation process.
Rarely, some form of mold may grow on the SCOBY that forms on the surface of the kombucha. Likewise, if the kombucha is heated to more than 80°F for longer periods of time, you'll eliminate many of the healthy components.
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