Can You Freeze Kombucha?
Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Kombucha?
Yes. You can freeze kombucha but under specific conditions. Kombucha is a healthy fizzy drink containing yeast and live bacteria. So, the prime concern is to ensure that the bacteria do not die when freezing. Therefore, you need to follow a specific method of freezing kombucha. Besides, it is also not advisable to freeze kombucha for extended periods. We shall discuss all these aspects in this article. So, before learning to freeze kombucha, we shall answer some questions and clarify matters.
Should You Freeze Kombucha?
First, let us understand what kombucha is. Kombucha is a unique fizzy drink made with tea and infused with yeast culture and bacteria. It is a sweet-sour drink that promotes stomach health because of the probiotics.
Keeping the yeast culture alive is essential to making kombucha sourer until it starts tasting like vinegar. Therefore, storing kombucha at room temperature is the perfect solution. But is it possible to freeze kombucha? The answer is YES. It can be tricky, but the process is safe. Besides, freezing kombucha prevents it from going to waste.
Before we learn how to freeze kombucha, let us consider the precautions you should take.
Precautions To Take When Freezing Kombucha
We have said earlier that keeping the bacteria alive is crucial to kombucha. So, the question is whether freezing kills the probiotics in the kombucha. Many people think that freezing kills bacteria, whereas some believe that slow freezing is the prime cause of their death.
Therefore, we recommend the flash freezing method for freezing kombucha. This method provides a better chance for the probiotics to survive. In addition, freezing the kombucha prevents it from becoming sour because it renders the bacteria inactive or dormant. But, the bacteria come alive when you defrost the drink. Therefore, we do not recommend freezing the kombucha for extended periods.
Let us now learn how to freeze kombucha.
How Do You Freeze Kombucha?
We have discussed earlier that flash freezing kombucha is the best solution. Here is how you freeze store-bought or home-brewed kombucha.
- Choosing the ideal container for freezing kombucha is crucial. You can freeze the store-bought kombucha in its original packaging. However, we suggest using glass bottles or airtight plastic containers for freezing home-brewed kombucha. Freezer-safe zip lock bags are also acceptable. But, we do not recommend using metal containers because the metal content can react with the ingredients in the kombucha and spoil it.
- Place the kombucha in a bowl filled with ice and wait for it to become chilled. Please leave space at the top to enable the kombucha to expand when freezing.
- You can lower the freezing point of ice by adding salt to it. As a result, it reduces the kombucha’s temperature instantly.
- We have discussed not freezing the kombucha for extended periods. So, we suggest you note the freezing date and stick the label on the container.
- Place the container into the freezer and ensure the freezer temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Please do not shake the kombucha during the entire freezing process.
Does Freezing Kombucha Guarantee Survival Of The Probiotics?
No. The freezing process, including the defrosting, does not guarantee the survival of probiotics.
How Long Can You Freeze Kombucha In Freezer?
Generally, you can keep the kombucha frozen for three months. The drink would be safe for consumption even after three months. But, there is no guarantee that the yeast culture and bacteria would survive for that long. They may die. So, the kombucha would not have any health benefits.
How Do You Defrost Kombucha?
Please do not defrost the frozen kombucha at room temperature because the drastic temperature changes can kill the bacteria and spoil the drink. So, the ideal defrosting method is transferring the frozen drink from the freezer to the refrigerator. The thawing process is gradual but recommended.
Please consume the defrosted kombucha immediately. Secondly, we do not recommend storing the kombucha at room temperature.
Can You Refreeze Kombucha?
We do not recommend refreezing kombucha.
Does Kombucha Have A Long Shelf Life?
Yes. Kombucha has a long shelf life because it does not spoil as long as the bacteria in the drink survive. The bacteria can kill the contaminants and prevent the drink from spoiling. As long as you keep the kombucha at room temperature, it continues to ferment and gets sourer by the day. The fermentation stops only when you chill it in the fridge.
Can You Refrigerate Kombucha?
You can refrigerate the kombucha and store it for three months. But, we do not recommend keeping the kombucha for extended periods if you wish to enjoy its health benefits.
Can You Freeze Kombucha SCOBY?
You should not freeze kombucha SCOBY. SCOBY tastes best at warm temperatures. The cold temperature inside the freezer can negatively impact living cultures and stop fermentation. Therefore, we recommend that the SCOBY should not be stored at temperatures below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is SCOBY?
SCOBY is the Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. It is the prime ingredient used in the production and fermentation of kombucha.
Can You Dehydrate Kombucha?
You can dehydrate Kombucha SCOBY by placing them on a sheet of unbleached parchment paper and letting them dry at a warm temperature until they attain the consistency of jerky.
How Long Does It Take To Dehydrate SCOBY?
The kombucha SCOBY takes around eight hours to dehydrate at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. You can store the SCOBY at room temperature in an airtight jar. We recommend consuming the SCOBY within one month.
How Long Can You Keep SCOBY Without Feeding It?
Generally, the SCOBY can be stored for six months without any problems.
Can You Drink Frozen Kombucha?
The ice crystal formation during the freezing of kombucha is harmful to the bacteria. Therefore, we recommend consuming the kombucha as soon as possible to enjoy its health benefits. So, it is not ideal for freezing kombucha continuously for extended periods.
Final Thoughts
Kombucha is a sweet tea that contains bacteria and yeast cultures. People consume it as a health drink because of the probiotics. It promotes better digestive health. The ideal storage method is to ensure that the culture remains alive. Freezing can kill bacteria. So, it is challenging to freeze the kombucha. But, there is a way out. You can flash-freeze kombucha and prevent its slow freezing.
