Kombucha, or fermented tea, is a gut-healthy probiotic-rich beverage that has been nourishing people for thousands of years.
Kombucha can improve digestion and reduce inflammation. Some say kombucha supports weight loss. With all of these potential health benefits, you may have been making your own kombucha or buying your favorite brand in bulk.
But can you freeze kombucha or will that kill the probiotics?
Freezing kombucha will not kill the probiotics. The probiotics will enter a dormant state from the cold temperatures and will awaken when brought back to room temperature. However, the best way to freeze kombucha and preserve the most probiotics is by flash freezing it.
Slowly freezing the kombucha by placing it in a freezer may damage some of the probiotics but the majority should survive.
So, if you’ve made your own kombucha or have an extra bottle that you’d like to enjoy later then flash freeze it.
Just make sure you take that extra care in the process for optimal results.
How To Flash Freeze Kombucha
Kombucha may seem a little finicky when it comes to freezing. Appropriate steps can be taken to ensure most of the probiotics are protected through this process.
Experts state that kombucha needs to be flash frozen to avoid killing the probiotics. Meanwhile, if placed in the freezer directly, the slow freezing process can possibly kill some of the probiotics.
However, flash freezing kombucha at home is very doable! All you need are a few regular household items.
Follow these steps to flash freeze kombucha:
- Pour the kombucha into a glass container or bottle
- Leave space at the top to allow for expansion of the liquid as it freezes
- Cover and seal the container
- Place the container into a larger bucket or bowl
- Fill the bucket with ice so all sides of the kombucha container are covered
- Next place a few tablespoons of salt and water over the ice
- Let kombucha sit until ice cold which should happen in a few minutes
- Remove kombucha, label with an expiration date 3 months from today, and transfer to the freezer
The kombucha will have been flash frozen so that it is brought to a colder temperature faster which helps preserve the probiotics. If you place your kombucha in an airtight container and store it in the freezer directly, you run the risk of the formation of crystals which can kill the cultures and probiotics.
Few things to keep in mind, never shake the kombucha bottle at any time. This will cause pressure to build up which may cause the bottle to break.
Avoid plastic or metal containers as they may affect the health of the probiotics.
How Long Can Kombucha Be Stored In The Freezer?
Kombucha keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. Past 3 months, the probiotics and cultures will degrade and die over time.
The sooner the kombucha is thawed out and consumed the better. However, it’s best to thaw and use the kombucha within a few weeks of freezing.
Will The Kombucha Explode In The Freezer?
Kombucha may expand slightly in the glass container as it freezes so leave a little room at the top to prevent an explosion. This is necessary for freezing any liquid; they all expand and take up a little more space when frozen.
However, the risk of explosion due to bacteria and probiotics is low. The bacteria will be inactive and will not build up carbon dioxide as they would on the counter or the fridge,
So you do not need to open the top of the kombucha bottle every day when frozen as you might with room temperature kombucha.
Ultimately, the risk of explosion in the freezer is very low.
How To Thaw Frozen Kombucha
There is only one way to safely thaw out kombucha. Place the frozen kombucha into the refrigerator for a few hours to overnight.
Once thawed out the kombucha must be consumed within 1 day to enjoy all the health benefits.
Do not thaw out frozen kombucha at room temperature as it will continue to ferment which will make it turn sour.
Can Kombucha Be Refrozen
Once you have frozen and thawed kombucha once, you cannot freeze it again. Freezing kombucha a second time will kill the probiotics which eliminates all the health benefits of the drink.
What Are The Healthy Bacteria In Kombucha?
Kombucha is made when a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, otherwise known as a SCOBY, are added to green and / or black tea to ferment. The SCOBY are essentially live bacteria and yeast that turn the naturally occurring sugars into tiny amounts of alcohol during fermentation.
This natural fermentation process results in kombucha that is filled with probiotics, antioxidants, and B vitamins.
The nutritional value varies across homemade and store-bought varieties. Overall, nutritionists have found that there are health benefits to consuming kombucha.
Can Kombucha SCOBY Be Frozen?
Kombucha SCOBY should not be frozen. SCOBY should be kept at warm temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cold temperatures can damage the bacteria and yeasts, as crystals slowly form in the freezer. The bacteria and yeast cells may rupture, and your SCOBY will be unusable for your brew.
That being said, there is a fast freezing method for kombucha that may work for the SCOBY as well. However experts debate whether or not this is practical for the SCOBY. Since the entire function of the SCOBY is for the live bacteria and yeast to ferment your brew, the risk of killing them in the processing of freezing is not worth it.
Will Freezing Kombucha Kill The Probiotics?
If you flash freeze your kombucha, you will prevent probiotics from dying during the freezing process. However, there is no guarantee even with this method.
Flash freezing, as the name suggests, freezes your kombucha very quickly. This prevents crystals from forming which kill probiotics and cultures.
If you place your kombucha directly into the freezer, you run the risk of killing the probiotics as water crystals form. Take extra care if you plan to freeze your kombucha.
Final Thoughts
For optimal health benefits enjoy the kombucha while it’s fresh.
However, if you find yourself with an abundance of kombucha supply then you can flash freeze it which reduces the chances of killing the probiotics. Make sure to thaw the frozen kombucha in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy the kombucha within the next 24 hours.
Now you have a method to keep your excess kombucha so it can be enjoyed for up to 3 months.
