Share this post: 
How to care for kefir: Storage, opening & best time to drink it!
Chuckling Goat Probiotic Kefir is not like ordinary milk – and even different from most store-bought kefir. Caring for your kefir properly ensures its live cultures stay active, safe, and beneficial.
This means storing it correctly, opening it carefully, and consuming it in a way that supports its living bacteria. Because real kefir continues to ferment after bottling, changes in flavour, texture, and fizziness are normal. These shifts are not signs of spoilage – they’re a sign your kefir is alive and active.
Why proper care matters
Real kefir isn’t to be treated in the same way as ordinary milk. Common customer concerns include:
- Opening bottles too quickly and creating spills
- Storing kefir at the wrong temperature
- Drinking it at the “wrong” time
By following a few simple rules, you can keep your kefir safe, tasty, and potent:
- Store cold or cool to slow fermentation.
- Open gently to avoid overspill from natural carbonation
- Consume mindfully to maximise benefits
Storage & shelf life
How long will my kefir last once opened?
Your kefir arrives with a minimum shelf life of 45 days. The “best before” date on the bottle applies to both opened and unopened bottles.
Where should I store kefir?
Store in a cool, dry place or in the fridge. Warmer temperatures speed up fermentation, making the taste stronger and more tangy, while cooler storage slows it down.
Opening & handling
How should I open my kefir?
Your Kefir is a bit like champagne – explosively strong!
When opening, take extreme care and point away from the eyes. We suggest that you wash the bottle first and put it in a bowl to reclaim any overspill. Ease the cap open very gradually, allowing gas to escape and kefir to run down the side. You can then store the overspill in a jug in the fridge.
Watch the opening video here.
Taste & consistency
Why is there clear liquid at the top?
This is completely normal – over time the milk proteins naturally clump together forming curds and whey – simply invert the bottle a few times to recombine the contents and the colour will return to white (remember to be careful on opening!).
Why does kefir taste sour?
We leave our Kefir unflavoured so that sweeteners don’t harm the good bugs – as a result, its natural taste is tart and tangy, like fizzy feta. What you’re tasting there is natural butyric acid – a powerful anti-inflammatory!
Timing & digestion
When is the best time to drink kefir?
We usually recommend taking the Kefir first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and leaving around 15-20 minutes before eating solid foods. This gives the Kefir a chance to coat the inside of the intestine and adhere, giving the living bacteria within it the best chance to colonise.
That being said, it can be taken at any time of day that suits you and your routine (try to take around 15-20 minutes before meal times). We suggest avoiding taking it too close to bedtime as it can give you an energy boost!
Will the bacteria survive digestion?
Yes! Chuckling Goat Probiotic Kefir contains non-transient bacteria that can survive the digestive process and support rebalancing of the gut microbiome.
Other common questions
Can I drink kefir past the best-before date?
We only guarantee safety and quality up to the printed date. Drinking beyond this is a personal choice.
Can I freeze kefir?
Freezing will not extend the shelf life and can cause the milk to separate. Once thawed, the texture will change considerably from fresh Kefir. For this reason, we don’t recommend freezing.
For more articles on kefir, see What can Kefir do for you? and What’s the deal with supermarket kefir?
Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.
