Does Coconut Water Go Bad? How Long Do They Last?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 3rd, 2022

Canned coconut water will keep for at least a few months after the expiration date on the label. That means your old can is probably fine, even if it’s a few months old.

But, before you drink it, make sure there are no signs of spoilage. There won’t be any mold, but there are a couple of other things to keep an eye out for.

When you open your coconut water, you get about 3 to 5 days of good quality, just like with soda.

Want to know more about the shelf life, storage, and spoilage of canned, bottled, or tetra pack coconut water?

How Long Does Coconut Water Last?

On the label of coconut water, there is usually a “best-by” date. That date tells you how long the beverage should, at the very least, keep its best quality.

Unopened coconut water, like sports drinks and soda, will keep for at least a few months after the expiration date. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how long it will last.

Most of the time, the beverage will be safe to drink after you open it, but the taste may not be as good if it has been stored for a couple of years.

When you open a bottle of coconut water, the quality begins to deteriorate quickly.

Various manufacturers give varying times for how long the coconut drink will last after opening. Most of the time, that period is between 3 and 5 days.

Of course, the beverage will not spoil after that time, but its quality will noticeably deteriorate. That means you’d probably rather throw it away than drink it.

How Long Does Coconut Water Last? Chart

How Long Can Unopened Coconut Water Last?

This will vary depending on the type of coconut water you purchase, but unless you use a whole coconut, they will all have a use-by date. Some coconut waters are pasteurized, while others contain added sugars and preservatives.

Or, of course, there’s the good old humble whole coconut, though the shelf life of these varies greatly. This is due to varying weather and other conditions, such as if they have been exposed to seawater and, of course, if they have been sitting on the ground for a while before being picked up.

This “raw” type of coconut water frequently has a slightly pink hue because the water can begin to change color when exposed to light. The water inside a whole fresh coconut will eventually rot. If this is the case, the flavor loses its wonderfully fresh, slightly sweet flavor and becomes tasteless and sour.

A use-by date will be printed on any packaged container of coconut water. It’s always a good idea to keep this date in mind because different brands and types will have longer or shorter ones. For example, a Tetra Pak carton of Vita Coco has a one-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. A tin of coconut water will keep you hydrated for a longer period.

How Long Will an Opened Bottle of Coconut Water Last?

If a container of coconut water is opened, it will last for three days if properly stored. The super-fresh, unadulterated “raw” stuff spoils faster than the pasteurized and sweetened with preservative versions. If you buy this type of coconut water, you should consume it within 48 hours of opening it.

How Long Does Coconut Water last in the Refrigerator?

Unless it has been opened, coconut water must not be refrigerated. Unopened coconut water can be stored in a cool, dry place for a long time. If you decide to open your coconut water, keep it in the fridge in a tightly sealed container.

Leftover coconut water from a bottle or carton should be resealed and refrigerated for best results. In these cases, it will be good for another 3-5 days. If you don’t want your coconut water to be cold when you drink it, take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start drinking.

The same rules apply if you open a coconut to get the coconut water directly from the source. If you store the coconut water in a refrigerator-safe container, it will last up to five days from when you opened the coconut.

How Long Can You Keep Coconut Water in the Freezer?

Coconut water is packaged in a way that allows it to be naturally preserved for up to a year. As a result, freezing your coconut water to keep it fresh is usually unnecessary.

When you thaw frozen coconut water, you will notice that it does not taste or look the same. Some people, however, are unconcerned about this. You can certainly freeze your coconut water in these circumstances.

Frozen coconut water can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. It will no longer taste good or have much appeal after this amount of time.

The best way to store coconut water is to leave it unopened until you’re ready to use it. Keep the bottles, cartons, or tetra packs in a cool, dry area of your kitchen, away from direct sunlight, and your coconut water will be fine for months.

How Can You Tell If Your Coconut Water Is Bad?

So you found a bottle of delicious coconut water, but the expiration date is approaching. How can you tell if it’s gone bad or not? To answer these questions, there are indicators you should look for while inspecting the bottle that will tell you whether or not the water has expired.

• Look at it this way: the water should be clear, like the coconuts. In general, discoloration is not a good sign. It’s worth noting, however, that some coconut water brands, such as Harmless Harvest, change color to pink when opened. This is perfectly normal and does not indicate spoilage. As a result, make sure to check each brand individually.
• There is no carbonation in this coconut water; it is not coconut soda. Finding fizzy and bubbly water isn’t the best indicator of a good product.
• The aroma of good coconut water is very subtle and gentle. Suppose you open the bottle and notice a strong aroma. It could indicate that the water has deteriorated.
• Take a sip; if it begins to taste sour instead of sweet, and you can’t detect any coconut flavor, it’s probably not safe to consume or use.
• Good coconut water is usually clear and light in color. If it’s sticky and thick, This could indicate that something has gone wrong.

If you see two or more of these signs, it’s time to toss that bottle. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Is yellow coconut water bad for you?

When you pour coconut water into a glass, it will appear slightly yellow. You should be able to see through the glass on the other side. However, coconut water is bad if it is very yellow and you can’t see it through the glass, and it has a bad odor.

Will I get sick if I drink contaminated coconut water?

Consuming expired or contaminated coconut water can make you sick. Although it will not make you seriously ill, it will make you feel very nauseous – believe me, I experienced this! Even though I had kept it in the fridge for three weeks after opening it! I almost puked, but it passed after a while.

It can also act as a laxative, so you may find yourself rushing to the toilet at the most inconvenient times if you have a bad case of diarrhea.

How to store Coconut Water

While coconut water is not a sports drink, it should be stored similarly to Gatorade.

That means you should keep it somewhere cool and dry. The pantry is ideal, but a kitchen cabinet will suffice.

The product is usually made up of water and some coconut-derived sugar, or it is just pure natural coconut water. It’s also shelf stable.

There isn’t much that can go wrong as long as it’s unopened. Keep the bottles or tetra packs away from sunlight and heat sources to preserve the quality of the coconut water for a longer period.

Coconut water sold in aluminum cans is already shielded from sunlight. You have to keep it away from heat sources, and you’re good to go.

Once you’ve opened the container of coconut water, keep the leftovers tightly sealed in the fridge. The same is true for fresh coconut water obtained by opening a coconut.

Because cans cannot be resealed, pour any leftovers into an airtight container if you do not intend to consume the beverage the same day.

If you don’t like your coconut water chilled, take it out of the fridge and set it on the counter for 30 minutes before drinking.

Is it possible to freeze coconut water?

That question doesn’t come up very often, but it’s worth answering.

There is no reason to freeze an unopened bottle of coconut water. Because it has a fairly long shelf life, you should be able to finish your supplies before the water goes bad.

Freezing the bottle if you can’t finish within a few days after opening it is an option. The question is, does freezing leftover coconut water make sense?

It won’t taste good after thawing, and you won’t be pleased with the flavor. I’d argue that discarding it is preferable to freezing it but feel free to do so if you prefer.

Allow some headspace in the container because the coconut water will expand once frozen.

The Best Ways to Freeze Coconut Water

Although coconut water is a liquid, it does not freeze as quickly as tap water. This is primarily due to the sugar content of coconut water.

Coconut water freezes at around 27 degrees Fahrenheit, while water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, coconut water will take longer to freeze in your home freezer than tap water.

Bottled or canned coconut water purchased at the store must not be frozen to keep it fresh. They are packaged in such a way that they will remain fresh indefinitely. Store them in a cool, dry place, such as the pantry, to keep them fresh. However, once opened, you must immediately place any remaining coconut water in the fridge or freezer to prevent it from spoiling.

When it comes to fresh coconut, once it’s opened, it should be consumed right away. Any liquid that is not consumed should be frozen as soon as possible to keep it fresh.

Ice cubes made from coconut water

Water from coconuts Ice cubes are useful for various tasks requiring only a small amount of coconut water at a time. They can be used to make smoothies or other beverages. You can also use them to make desserts or to cook with.

You’ll need an ice cube tray to make coconut water ice cubes. When it comes to ice cube trays come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

When fresh coconut and an ice cube tray are ready, open the coconut and slowly pour the liquid into the tray. After filling the tray, place it in the freezer until completely frozen.

Once frozen, place the coconut water ice cubes in a freezer-safe Ziplock bag to protect the odors and flavors from other items in the freezer.

You can either place the entire tray inside the Ziplock bag, crack the ice cubes, and place them inside. Either method is acceptable and should keep your ice cubes from absorbing odors and flavors from other items in the freezer.

Freezing a Large Amount of Coconut Water

It’s a good idea to freeze large amounts of coconut water if you enjoy using it to make your favorite drinks or cook. You’ll always have coconut water on hand if you do it this way.

You’ll need a freezer-safe Ziploc bag to freeze large amounts of coconut water. There are many different bag sizes, but try to use one that is not too large. A medium-sized bag will fit in most home freezers. You can stack them on top of each other in the freezer to save space.

Open the coconut and pour the coconut water into the Ziplock bag once fresh coconuts and a Ziplock bag are ready. Avoid filling them to the top of the bag. Allow about an inch of space to allow for the expansion of the coconut water as it freezes.

After you’ve filled all of the Ziplock bags, place them in the freezer and lay them flat. You can stack multiple bags of coconut water on top of each other if you have more than one. However, when it’s freezing, don’t stack more than three bags on top of each other. You can stack as many as you want on top of each other once it’s frozen.

In addition to Ziplock bags, you can freeze coconut water in an airtight container. Freezing coconut water in an airtight container is equivalent to freezing it in a Ziploc bag. Allow about an inch of space in the container for the coconut water to expand as it freezes.

How do you thaw frozen coconut water?

Thawing coconut water is similar to thawing regular ice cubes. Your thawed coconut water will taste slightly different, but if you only want the nutritional value of the coconut water, this is unimportant.

Use the fridge: Coconut water will safely defrost in the fridge over time. Place your coconut water ice in a covered bowl in the fridge for the best results!

Thaw with water: If you need your coconut water to thaw as soon as possible, seal it in a Ziploc bag. Place the bag in a bowl of lukewarm water. Do not immerse it in hot water! This will quickly thaw the ice.

Coconut water may take longer to thaw than regular water. Although the coconut water will not taste the same, it will still be an excellent addition to various dishes and beverages!

Making Use of Frozen Coconut Water

You could put coconut water ice cubes in your favorite drinks if you made them. The flavor of the coconut will infuse your drinks with a lovely, cool, and sweet taste as it melts.

Some people dislike the taste of water, and adding coconut water ice cubes to it can add a nice sweet flavor to your water.

If you’re cooking and want to add some sweet flavoring to your food, break off a piece of frozen coconut water and mix it in.

As you can see, there are numerous applications for frozen coconut water.

Conclusion – Does Coconut Water Go Bad?

To summarize, coconut water deteriorates over time. It can last from a few weeks to a few months after the best-before date, but this varies by brand.

An unopened pack of coconut water can typically last a year or more. On the other hand, an opened container of coconut water can last anywhere from 1 to 5 days, give or take. However, we recommend consuming it within 48 hours to get the best quality.

Furthermore, you should store coconut water like it was sold in the market. If it was on the shelf (tetra pack), store it in the pantry or cabinet, away from heat and direct light.

The versions in the store’s refrigerator section should be kept in the refrigerator at all times. Also, once you’ve opened the pack of coconut water, keep it in the fridge.

If spoilage occurs, the signs will be obvious. As a result, if you notice a strong, unpleasant odor, carbonation, a sour taste, or a thickened consistency, it is no longer safe to consume and should be discarded.

If, on the other hand, the liquid turns pink, this does not indicate that the product has gone bad. This liquid is completely safe to consume.

Finally, keep in mind that coconut water is a low-carb food high in fiber and essential minerals and nutrients. It is not only a delicious and refreshing beverage, but it also has several health benefits!

Editorial Staff

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