Salted Cabbage Storage and Washing Before Making Kimchi ======================================================= The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends using salted cabbage on the day it arrives. Decide whether to wash it based on both the product instructions and how it has been stored. Washing is recommended if it has been kept at room temperature for at least 1 day. - The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends using salted cabbage on the day it arrives. - The recommendation to wash cabbage kept at room temperature for at least 1 day should not be applied as-is to refrigerated cabbage. - The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety advises washing no more than 3 times because excessive washing can cause the cabbage to spoil. - Check the product instructions for how long it can be refrigerated and how to remove any additional moisture. - Washing will not make cabbage that may have spoiled safe again. Salted cabbage is best used on the day it arrives. Whether to wash it depends on the product instructions and how it has actually been stored. Washing is recommended if it has been kept at room temperature for at least 1 day. If kimchi-making is delayed, check the refrigeration instructions for the product. The washing instructions and storage conditions are based on guidance issued by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in October 2015 and November 2019. What to check immediately after delivery Start by checking the packaging and product label. Salted cabbage has been salted, washed, and drained. Some products are intended for use without additional washing. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's guide to using salted cabbage also distinguishes between products by how they have been processed. What to check Details Inner packaging Tears, poor seals, or leaking contents Storage label Whether refrigeration is required, the specified temperature, and the period during which it can be used Instructions for use Whether washing and draining are complete, and how to do any additional preparation Product information Labeled dates, including manufacturing and packaging dates, and the manufacturer's contact details Delivery status Time marked as delivered, actual time received, and any delay For products labeled for refrigeration, check their storage condition as soon as they arrive. If something seems wrong, stop using the product and notify the seller. Do not taste it to decide whether it is safe. This principle is also set out in the USDA's guidance on food safety for delivered food. Salted cabbage storage conditions The deciding factors are the actual storage temperature and the time elapsed, not the date you plan to make kimchi. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends using salted cabbage on the day it arrives because coliform bacteria can increase if it is left at room temperature for at least 1 day. Situation What to consider Using it on the day it arrives Check the product instructions for additional washing and draining Refrigerating it until the next day Check the product's storage temperature and the period during which it can be used Keeping it at room temperature for at least 1 day Follow the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's washing recommendation Unclear storage location or duration Check whether it can be used before washing it Suspected spoilage Do not mix it with seasoning; stop using it This table organizes the conditions in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's 2019 guidance on using salted cabbage safely. That guidance does not give a single refrigeration period for all products. There is therefore no basis for assigning every product the same storage period. Products labeled with refrigeration conditions must be kept under those conditions. A balcony or entryway that feels cool is not a substitute for refrigeration. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also advises following the storage instructions on the label. This is based on the food storage guidance in the November 2024 issue of Yeollin Maru. How to compare seller instructions with Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidance Read both sets of instructions in light of the conditions they cover. The seller's instructions describe how that product has been washed and drained. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's guidance also covers storage conditions after purchase. Check whether the product is intended for use without additional washing. Check the storage conditions given by the seller. Compare those conditions with how the product was actually stored. If the instructions and actual conditions differ, contact the seller and explain how it was stored. This comparison helps explain why the instructions may differ. A statement that the cabbage was washed at the factory does not establish how it was stored after delivery. A label saying washing is complete therefore does not mean you can skip washing again in every situation. How many times to wash salted cabbage and how to do it The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's method is to wash it gently, then rinse it with water. It does not call for prolonged soaking or repeated scrubbing. Excessive washing can damage the cabbage. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's “Use Salted Cabbage Safely During Kimchi-Making Season” includes this advice: It is best not to wash it more than 3 times. The steps in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's 2015 guidance are: Put the cabbage in water. Gently rub the root area and between the leaves with your fingers. Rinse it twice with water. These steps include the initial wash. They do not mean rinsing it 3 more times after that wash. The washing recommendation should also not be taken as a way to restore spoiled food to its original condition. Why drain the cabbage after rinsing Draining reduces the amount of unwanted water that mixes with the seasoning. Too much remaining water changes the seasoning's consistency. The Rural Development Administration's simple kimchi-making guide also uses drained cabbage as its starting point. For a product that has already been drained, first check whether any additional preparation is needed. It is difficult to set one draining time for every product because how thoroughly products have been drained and the amounts being prepared vary. Check separately whether washing and further draining are needed. Use a clean colander and food-safe containers. Follow the product instructions for steps after draining. Do not treat leaving the cabbage spread out at room temperature for a long time as a storage method. The time between delivery and actual receipt The storage history does not begin only when you bring the box indoors. Check how long it sat outside your door after it was marked as delivered. This applies the temperature-control principles for delivered food. What to record Why it matters Time marked as delivered Shows how long it waited outside Actual time received Identifies when you first checked its condition Storage location after receipt Shows whether it was refrigerated Planned time of use Shows whether the timing fits the product instructions Photos can help you explain the condition of the packaging to the seller. Photos alone, however, cannot establish whether there is microbial contamination. Normal smell and appearance do not prove that the product is safe. This limitation is based on the USDA's explanation of refrigerated food safety. The difference between origin, weight, and instructions for use The place of origin and package weight do not replace storage and washing instructions. You cannot decide how to use the cabbage based only on a regional name such as Goesan or Haenam. Even for a 20kg package of salted cabbage, check the manufacturer's instructions. Product information What to check separately Region and country of origin The actual manufacturer and the product instructions Description of the washing process Conditions for additional washing after delivery Package weight Refrigeration space and the amount you can prepare Delivery scheduled for a specific date Whether the date is the shipping date or the expected arrival date Product that includes seasoning How to store the cabbage and seasoning separately Sale price Whether the weight is the same and whether shipping is included The amount of seasoning needed depends on the blend you bought. There is no reason to apply another seller's ratio without adjustment. When preparing to make kimchi, it makes sense to check the instructions for both the cabbage and the seasoning. Frequently asked questions Do I need to wash it again on the day it arrives? Not every product needs to be washed again. Some are intended for use without additional washing. Also check whether its actual storage conditions match the product instructions. Do I always need to wash it if I use it the next day? The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's condition applies when it has been kept at room temperature for at least 1 day. Do not decide based only on the date. If it was refrigerated, check the instructions for that product. Can I keep it at room temperature because it has been salted? Salting does not, by itself, mean it can be stored at room temperature. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety notes that coliform bacteria may increase during room-temperature storage. Follow the storage conditions on the product label. Does draining extend the storage period? Draining does not justify extending the storage period. It is a preparation step before mixing the cabbage with seasoning. Check the product label separately for the period during which it can be used. Can I use it if it smells fine? Smell alone cannot establish that it is safe. Check the packaging and storage history as well. Do not taste a product to check it if something seems wrong. FAQ Q. Do you need to wash salted napa cabbage again on the day it is delivered? A. Some products can be used without additional washing. Check the product instructions as well as the actual delivery and storage conditions. Q. What should you do with cabbage left at room temperature for at least a day? A. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommends washing it before use if it has been stored at room temperature for at least one day. However, this does not mean you should wash and use a product that appears to have spoiled. Q. How many days can you use it if you keep it refrigerated? A. The cited guidance from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety does not give a standard number of days for refrigerated storage. Check the product label and the manufacturer's instructions. Q. Does washing it three times mean rinsing it three additional times? A. The three times include the initial wash and the rinses. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety advises rubbing it gently while washing, then rinsing it twice with water. Q. How many hours should you let it drain? A. Products vary in how thoroughly they have been drained, so it is difficult to set a standard time. Check the product instructions to see whether further draining is needed and how to do it. Q. Can a cool balcony replace a refrigerator? A. A balcony feeling cool does not mean it meets the product's refrigeration requirements. Follow the storage conditions on the label. Q. What should you check if the packaging leaks or delivery is delayed? A. Record any damage to the packaging, when delivery was completed, and when you actually received it. The priority is to stop using it and tell the seller about its condition so it can be checked. Q. Does the number of washes vary by place of origin or package weight? A. You cannot determine the number of washes from the place of origin or package weight alone. Base your decision on the manufacturer's instructions for use and the storage conditions after you receive it. Sources - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Kimchi-Making Season: Use Salted Cabbage Safely, October 27, 2015: https://impfood.mfds.go.kr/CFBBB02F02/getCntntsDetail?cntntsSn=281730 - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Useful Tips for Using Salted Cabbage Safely During Kimchi-Making Season, November 13, 2019, listed in KDI: https://eiec.kdi.re.kr/policy/materialView.do?num=194377 - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Open Maru, November 2024 issue, Precautions When Storing Food: https://www.mfds.go.kr/webzine/202411/202411.pdf - Rural Development Administration, Agri-Food Allbaro, Specialty Kimchi, Easy Ways to Make Kimchi: https://www.nics.go.kr/food/kfi/kimchi/kimchi_01 - USDA FSIS, Mail Order Food Safety: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/mail-order-food-safety - USDA FSIS, Refrigeration & Food Safety: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration Images - A woman checks salted napa cabbage leaves in a colander beside the sink, with bagged cabbage in an open fridge.: https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzA3MDcsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--04ea71ca0027b4575eb8413ad19e89d5faa7d0b2/ai-4ffd0d17.webp - A man examines a box of salted napa cabbage with torn inner packaging and a wet carton.: https://injoys.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MzA3MTUsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--3fad9d07cc07fbda7184b6e5c3115ff5152aeb83/ai-cd40163c.webp --- Category: Knowledge Base Source: https://injoys.com/en/articles/salted-cabbage-delivery-storage-washing-criteria License: cc_by Translation-Status: reviewed