Coconut water is a refreshing drink with a cool, sweet taste, rich in nutrients and very good for health.
Can I leave coconut water overnight?
Normally, a coconut after being picked can be stored for about 7 days at room temperature. However, to enjoy the best coconut water, you should drink it immediately after opening the coconut. If there is too much coconut water to drink, you can put it in the refrigerator and use it within 3 – 5 days. In addition, with canned coconut water with additives, it can be used for 4 – 6 weeks at a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.
Coconut water left overnight is completely drinkable provided that you store it in the refrigerator. On the contrary, coconut water left overnight but not stored in the refrigerator is best not to be used because it can cause stomachache or food poisoning.
Thus, coconut water can only spoil if it is not stored properly or has passed its expiration date. Coconut water that has not been removed from the fruit and stored properly can last for several months, but after pouring it out, it should be used up within a few hours or stored in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
Does drinking coconut water left overnight have any health effects? Many people like to drink coconut water and store it in the refrigerator for later use, but worry that it will spoil if left overnight.
How to safely preserve coconut water
Preserve coconut water at room temperature
After opening coconut water, you should drink it within 2-3 hours. Because if you leave coconut water for too long, it is at risk of being contaminated or spoiled. If you still drink it, you may have a stomachache, nausea or poisoning.
In general, coconut water is very difficult to preserve at room temperature, it is best to drink all the coconut water as soon as you open it. If you have not used it all, you should put it in the refrigerator to preserve it instead of leaving it at room temperature.
Preserve coconut water in the refrigerator
Coconut water left overnight will last longer if you perform this food preservation process correctly.
You must cool it by putting it in the refrigerator. Before putting it in the refrigerator, peel off the outer shell so that the cold air can penetrate deep into the coconut water with the type that is still intact. In the case of coconut water that has been poured into a cup, you should put it in a bottle, close the lid and put it in the refrigerator.
With this cooling method, if you preserve coconut at a temperature of 1 – 4 degrees Celsius, you can preserve it for about 2 – 3 weeks while still retaining the effects of coconut water, without being damaged or losing the quality and flavor that coconut water brings.
Preserving coconut by deep freezing
Currently on the market, some production facilities also increase the preservation time of coconut by deep freezing at a temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius, even minus 35 – 40 degrees Celsius. Thus, coconut water will be preserved longer, but the preservation cost will be quite high, causing the price of coconut to increase significantly.
But the most important thing is that you cannot preserve coconut water at home with a refrigerator, and the flavor of coconut water will also change more or less. This method is often applied in the production and export of coconut water to other countries. With this method, coconut water can be preserved for several months or years without spoiling.
Preserving coconut with sodium Metabisulfite chemical
Coconut water can be preserved by injecting sodium Metabisulfite chemical into the coconut. Then the outside of the coconut will be covered with a protective film. This method can prevent microorganisms from entering the inside of the coconut, helping to preserve coconut water longer.
Preserving coconut with sodium Metabisulfite chemical is non-toxic, coconut water still retains its freshness, and the preservation time can last from 4 to 6 weeks in a cold environment of 5 degrees Celsius.
How to preserve unpeeled and peeled coconuts
For peeled coconuts, you need to store them in the refrigerator at a temperature of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius, the preservation time lasts from 2 to 3 weeks. Peeled coconuts help the cold air penetrate deep inside, helping to keep the coconut water from spoiling.
For unpeeled coconuts, you need to store them in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 8 degrees Celsius. For unpeeled coconuts, you should not store them for too long, you should use them as soon as possible to keep them fresh.
What are the signs that coconut water has gone bad?
Coconut water left overnight can be drunk if properly refrigerated. However, if you notice some signs of spoilage, you should throw it away, including:
- Sour or foul odor: Coconut water tastes sour or has a foul odor, similar to spoiled milk or spoiled fruit.
- Cloudiness: Fresh coconut water is usually very clear. However, if coconut water left overnight is cloudy, it may have gone bad.
- Color change: Coconut water may turn yellow or brown when it goes bad. Fresh coconut water is usually clear, but when it starts to go bad, it may change color.
If you notice any of these signs when opening coconut water, it is best to throw it away and not drink this spoiled coconut water to ensure food safety.
What happens if you drink spoiled coconut water?
Drinking bad coconut water can lead to food poisoning or other digestive problems. Bacteria growing in spoiled coconut water can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.
In some cases, drinking spoiled coconut water can also lead to dehydration, especially if the patient is vomiting or has diarrhea. If you drink poor quality coconut water and experience symptoms of food poisoning, it is best to go to the hospital for a health check.
Above is information on how to preserve coconut water and answer the question “Can you drink coconut water left overnight?” Coconut water is a very popular drink in tropical countries because of its cool, fresh taste. However, to drink coconut water without affecting your health, you need to preserve it properly according to the instructions.
