Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I can't say enough good things about the product or the customer service. I see other reviews that say the kimchi arrived inedible and un-returnable. I suspect these reviewers made the same mistake I did. I ordered during the coronavirus pandemic, so I wasn't surprised when the company emailed me that delivery would be delayed. When my kimchi arrived eleven days later, the bag container was bloated and the cooler bag wasn't very cold. I left the container outside (in case I'd need to take pictures for proof) and wrote Choi's Kimchi Co. to ask for a refund. The next day, I got an email apologizing for the inconvenience. It also explained that my kimchi was delayed at fulfillment, and had only been in transit for 3 days. It also explained that the kimchi was still safe to eat. Since kimchi is made to naturally and actively ferment, refrigeration is not immediately required and it doesn't spoil when left unrefrigerated for several days. The bloat of the bag was caused by the off-gas of CO2 that happens during the fermentation process. Still, they kindly issued a complete refund. But here's the kicker. I did a little more research and learned that some people leave kimchi out intentionally to get a softer texture and a more sour flavor. Like sauerkraut or blue cheese, letting it sit changes texture and taste but doesn't make it go bad. Remember, kimchi has been around a lot longer than refrigerators or air conditioning. I remembered that my unopened bag was still sitting outside under the trees. It had been sitting outside in moderate weather for over a day. You guessed it, I brought it inside and ate some. It was friggin' amazing kimchi. So don't be afraid about shipping this product. Not only did it fair well during an extra day of transit, I then put it to the test by leaving it outside in late April in North Carolina. The texture and taste were exactly what I'd hoped for. Maybe I'll leave it out again next time I order! I wrote the company and told them what happened. Now I'm writing this review — something I don't usually feel I have time to do — in the hopes that I can save potential customers and the company some future hassle. This is an excellent product and a reputable company. I will definitely order again.