How Long Coconut Yoghurt Lasts Once Opened | Up to 7 Days

Coconut yogurt will last for 7 days once opened. Coconut yogurt will have up to 4 weeks on the expiry date when purchased but once it has been opened it is best to consume it sooner. Once the pack has been opened and the yogurt has been exposed to air and bacteria it can go bad faster.

Coconut yogurt is made by adding probiotic bacteria to coconut milk. Coconut milk flesh is pulverized or mashed to make the coconut milk.

Probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are added to the coconut milk to make it similar to cows milk yogurt.

While coconut yogurt is not technically identified or labelled as yogurt in the US, it is a great yogurt alternative for those that are eating dairy-free or are lactose intolerant.

Once coconut yogurt has been opened it can go watery and start to separate. The sooner you eat it after it has been opened the better.

What makes coconut yogurt go bad

Here are the top causes of coconut yogurt going bad and some tips to store it for longer.

1. Air exposure

Air exposure will allow bacteria and fungi to enter the yogurt container. This can cause mold to grow or for bad bacteria to colonize inside the yogurt.

This can make the yogurt, moldy smell and can make you sick if you eat it.

Leaving the yogurt out of the fridge for too long

Yogurt can go bad if it drops above refrigerator temperatures. Leaving yogurt out of the fridge for longer than 2 hours can allow the yogurt to go bad.

Bacteria grow fast at room temperature so avoid leaving your coconut yogurt out of the fridge for too long.

2. Excess bacterial activity

Leaving yogurt in your fridge close to the expiration date will allow more time for the probiotic yogurt to start to break down the sugars in the yogurt.

The components can separate causing the yogurt to go watery. As long as it is within its expiration date and smells fine then it is still good to eat. You can pour off the water or mix it through.

3. Double dipping

Introducing bacteria from your mouth is a key way that yogurt can go bad. Placing a spoon back into your yogurt after eating off it will introduce bacteria into the yogurt from your mouth.

These bacteria can continue to grow in the yogurt if you put it back in the fridge and can cause it go off.

How to know if coconut yogurt has gone bad

Here are some things to check before you eat coconut yogurt. If you suspect that your yogurt has gone bad then do not eat it. You don’t want to risk getting sick.

1. Check the lid

The first step is to check the seal on the lid. If you purchase yogurt and the lid is not sealed properly or if there are holes then do not eat the yogurt.

This would have allowed bacteria to enter the yogurt which can grow and make you unwell.

If the lid has expanded and is bulging then it is important to check the expiration date. This can be an indicator that bacteria are growing in the yogurt which could be harmful.

It is important to make sure it is within its expiration date, it smells fine and looks fine before eating.

2. Smell the yogurt

Smell the yogurt before eating to make sure it has not gone bad. If it smells overly acidic or moldy do not eat it. Smell is often the first sign we get that a food has gone off.

3. Look for color changes

If the yogurt has changed color in any way changing to gray, green, brown or any other color then do not eat it. This can be a sign of mold growth which can make you sick.

How long coconut yogurt lasts in the fridge

Coconut yogurt will last for up to 4 weeks in the fridge if it is sealed. Once it has been opened it is best to eat it within 7 days to reduce separation.

Keep it at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce bacterial growth and keep it good until its expiration date.

Is it OK to eat expired coconut yogurt?

It is best not to eat expired yogurt. Once the yogurt has gone past its expiry date the bacterial growth could be excessive and make you unwell.

Coconut yogurt can also separate and go watery if it has been in fridge for too long and will not taste as nice as it should.

Is coconut yogurt sour?

I find that coconut yogurt tastes less sour than natural and Greek yogurt. The vanilla yogurt that I eat has added stevia which gives it a sweet taste. There is less lactic acid in coconut yogurt compared to Greek yogurt and natural yogurt so it tastes less sour.

How Long Coconut Yoghurt Lasts Once Opened | Summary

Coconut yogurt will last up to 7 days once it has been opened. After it has been opened it will be exposed to bacteria in the air which can colonize in the yogurt. This can make you unwell if you eat it.

Always smell, look and check the expiry date on your yogurt. If any of these things are not right, don’t eat it.