Beverages
How long does Kombucha last?
High confidence
Quality concern
How long does Kombucha last? fridge ~1 month. Plus spoilage signs, sources, and an unopened-vs-opened note.
Fridge
~1 month
Pantry
Refrigerate only
Freezer
Not recommended
Sealed / unopened: 6 months (sealed)
Signs Kombucha has gone bad
- Excessive vinegar smell beyond normal tang.
- Thick gelatinous mass, alcoholic smell.
Still good if
- Dark brown SCOBY chunks or stringy bits floating in the bottle — strain them out, the kombucha is still good. The SCOBY is the live culture, not contamination.
Discard immediately if
- Bulging or pressurized container
- Sharp sour smell
- Curdled or chunky texture
Why guidance varies
Pasteurization method (HTST vs. UHT vs. cold-pressed), preservative content, and container type (carton vs. plastic vs. glass) all change shelf life dramatically.
Track this in My Pantry
Get a heads-up before it expires. Search the full database instead.
Sources for this answer
- A USDA FoodKeeper — Storage windows and refrigeration guidance for this category.
- A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Date-label interpretation and food-safety baseline.