Does Kimchi Go Bad?

Kimchi is a Korean staple that has many health benefits. Suppose you have heard the same and bought a jar of kimchi and some amount of it. The remaining amount it left, and now you have started wondering, does kimchi go bad?

Like other food products, kimchi can also go bad because it is made by fermenting some vegetables. It is very tricky to tell the exact shelf life of kimchi. In this article, we have explained briefly the storage, long lasting and going bad of kimchi.

How To Store Kimchi?

Like other vegetables, kimchi can also be stored for a longer period. It depends on the storage conditions that how long the food will last. If it is kept in good storage conditions, then it will last for as long as possible.

The popular Korean staple kimchi is made with the help of fermented veggies. So, it is very important to keep it in an environment where fermentation is slow. If you want to store kimchi for a longer period, you need to follow things.

Place in the fridge

Kimchi is fermented at room temperature nowadays. And mason jars are used to contain kimchi. That means that the process of fermentation is ongoing. The refrigerator is the best place to store kimchi.

At low temperatures, fermentation is not fast so. It is recommended to store it in the fridge. You can keep kimchi at room temperature for few days, but it is unsafe. The jar might explode.

Keep it sealed tightly.

Nowadays, kimchi comes in mason jars. The unopened jar can last for few months. Once you open the jar and use some kimchi amount, always keep in mind to keep the jar sealed tightly when you are not using it. It is because when it is exposed to air, the process of fermentation starts accelerating.

Make sure that the liquid covers all the veggies.  It will prevent it from drying out. Moreover, if you break the original jar by mistake, you can use an airtight container to store the kimchi. First of all, transfer the liquid and then submerge the veggies in it.

Store in the kitchen

If you have bought a pasteurized kimchi, you can store it at room temperature for few months. Try to keep it away from the sunlight or other heat sources. If the kimchi is heat-treated, then the bacteria are killed, and it can be stored at room temperature.

Use clean utensils

It will be best for you if you use clean utensils while scooping veggies out of the jar. It is because the environment in the jar is acidic. So to avoid bacterial interactions, you should use clean utensils.

Can You Freeze Kimchi?

Freezing food products increases their shelf life. Similarly, kimchi can be stored in the freezer for a longer period if you have bought too many kimchi jars and plan to store them for a longer period. It will help if you store it in the freezer. Kimchi can last for as long as possible in the freezer retaining its peak quality.

Before freezing kimchi, you should put it in the freezer bag or an air tight container. Freezing kimchi in a glass bottle or jar in which it usually comes is not a good idea.

How Long Does Kimchi Last?

Kimchi does not have a very long shelf life like other vegetables. The store-bought kimchi comes with a sell-by date labeled on it. As kimchi is made of fermented veggies, if the fermentation process gets a chance to accelerate, it won’t last for a longer period.

If it is stored in the fridge, it will last for a bit long, but the fermentation process proceeds slowly. Unpasteurized kimchi can last up to a month if stored in the refrigerator. On the other hand, an unopened jar of pasteurized kimchi can last for three months at room temperature. In comparison, the opened jar can last for four months in the fridge.

How to Tell If Kimchi is Bad?

Kimchi can go bad, but it can last for a longer period even after passing its sell-by date if stored in good conditions. There are some signs of spoilage to look for to tell whether the kimchi is fine or not. Ripened kimchi has a different flavor, taste, and smell.

To tell whether kimchi is bad or not, you should take care of the following things:

• Sometimes, mold starts forming inside the jar due to other food contaminants. If you notice mold formation, then you should get rid of it at once.
• Kimchi has a tart smell. If you notice any change in the smell, then you should avoid using it.
• If the kimchi tastes too sour, it means that its quality has been lost. You should get rid of it at once.

Sources

• Does it go bad
• Health line
• Can it go bad