Is it ok to eat kimchi that is causing its package to expand?

Is it ok to eat kimchi that is causing its package to expand? - From above crop anonymous person taking slice of delicious pizza from carton box on table spending evening at home

For non-fermented foods, I feel like it's obvious that they shouldn't be consumed if they're causing the package they're stored in to expand, even if they're still within the "best by" date. Does this apply to fermented foods like kimchi?

I had some yesterday and, while it's still in date (just), the sealed package was notably "inflated". It popped when opening and the kimchi made a "fizzing" sound for a little while. It didn't smell off and it tasted OK, albeit a little more acidic than usual. So far I haven't suffered any adverse effects.

I have one tub left. Is this Korean Roulette, or should it be fine?



Best Answer

Fresh kimchi will continuously release gas as it continues to ferment; unlike some other fermented foods, it contains active cultures. Commercial kimchi is often packaged with a "gas absorber", but that can only do so much. So yes, it should be fine.




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Why is my kimchi package bloated?

The inflated bag is normal for the fermentation process. Putting the bag with the pinhole in the refrigerator will not affect the Kim Chi; it will however, probably make everything in your refrigerator smell like Kim Chi! We suggest that you put into another container with a lid.

Why does kimchi expand?

Bulging is caused by off-gassing from healthy fermentation bacteria that causes a build-up of pressure under the lid. It is actually the desired result with kimchi for there to be active good-for-you bacteria present and active inside the jar.

How do you know if kimchi has gone bad?

Bubbling, bulging, a sour taste, and a softening of the cabbage are perfectly normal for kimchi. However, if you notice a foul odor or any signs of mold, such as a white film atop the food, your dish has spoiled and should be thrown out. Kimchi can be made at home using a few simple steps.

Can you get food poisoning from kimchi?

Yersinia enterocolitica \u2013 which causes a rare form of food poisoning known as yersiniosis that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention say kills 35 people in the US every year \u2013 was found on 15 kimchi products imported from China out of a sample of 289, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on Tuesday.



Kimchi TIPS: How To FERMENT \u0026 STORE Your Store-Bought Kimchi (Tongbaechu-Kimchi 통배추김치 막김치, 배추김치)




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Eren Li, Andres Ayrton, Klaus Nielsen, Daniel Torobekov