Everything You Need To Know About Kombucha Tea

Wondering what all this fuss about kombucha is? We're proud to share with you its potential gut health benefits, our fermentation process and simple food recipe.

What Is Kombucha? Our Guide To All Things About This Popular Fermented Tea.

What Is Kombucha, Really?

Kombucha is a fermented beverage drink that has been around for nearly 2,000 years. Yes, you heard that right. 2,000 years.

It was first brewed in China around 220 B.C., later on in Japan and then in Russia.

Kombucha became popular in Europe in the 20th century and sales in the United States have been on the rise because of consumers’ interest in its potential health benefits.

At Health-Ade, we are committed to bringing you a beverage with only simple ingredients: a culture of yeast and bacteria, sugar and a combination of black and green tea.

We mix these ingredients and let them ferment for a few weeks. During this time, the sweetened tea undergoes fermentation, resulting in a slightly sweet and fizzy drink that we all know today as kombucha.

Sometimes, this beverage is referred to as “mushroom tea”. Spoiler alert: Kombucha does not have mushrooms, but rather a colony of bacteria and yeast called S.C.O.B.Y (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). Don’t worry, these bacteria are harmless! In fact, they are good. We rely on them for the fermentation process, which is the same process that helps preserve cabbage as kimchi and turns milk into yogurt.

Still curious about kombucha fermentation? Let’s dive in!

The Fermentation Process

Simply put, fermentation is the process during which the activity of friendly bacteria, yeasts (probiotics), and enzymes converts the sugar in sweetened tea and turns it into tasty and slightly bubbly kombucha. Due to the fermentation process, a small amount of alcohol (less than 0.5 percent) is produced. However, the alcohol content is not enough for you to feel its effect, so most kombucha is still sold as non-alcoholic.

Is Kombucha Tea Actually Good For You?

As you may know, kombucha is a traditionally fermented beverage, not a supplement, tonic or elixir.

Thanks to the fermentation process, kombucha contains healthy acids and probiotics, which are especially good for your digestive system. Since a healthy gut is key to a healthy body overall, probiotics in kombucha can help you feel good and refreshed.

Not convinced? We will break it down for you!

Our body has trillions of bacteria. Probiotics are often called the good bacteria because they can:

• Balance your "good" and "bad" bacteria so that your body can function optimally
• Replace “good” bacteria when you lose them, for example after you take antibiotics or are ill

In addition, they may also:

• Provide relief when you feel bloated
• Help promote a healthy immune system

Kombucha also contains B vitamins which can give you energy, boost hydration and promote cell growth.

Even though most research done on kombucha has been on animals, researchers are exploring the benefits of fermented foods in human studies as well. But at least, kombucha is a better beverage choice than soda or other sugary drinks because it’s lower in caffeine, sugar and calories.

Can I Replace My Cup Of Coffee With Kombucha?

There is a small amount of caffeine in your kombucha. Why? It is because kombucha begins with black or green tea. While the fermentation process reduces the tea’s natural caffeine content, about one-third of the caffeine still remains in the liquid. Health-Ade Kombucha contains anywhere between 8mg-15mg of caffeine per serving depending on the flavor, about the same as a decaf cup of coffee.

There is much less caffeine in Health-Ade Kombucha than your cup of regular coffee. So if you’re looking to cut back on your caffeine intake, kombucha is a great option. Or you can simply enjoy it at night without worrying that it will keep you up like coffee would.

We make it the way nature intended, always giving you the BEST TASTING and HIGHEST QUALITY kombucha you can buy. Use our store locator to find out where to buy kombucha near you.

Today's blog is written by our very own Daina Trout, MS, MPH

Daina is not just our Co-Founder, she is also a nutritionist that has spent her adult life dedicated to finding and sharing health and wellness through food. With 2 masters' degrees in nutritional biochemistry and public health, Daina has called upon her education often while leading the way at Health-Ade - from how we make every batch of kombucha, to how we talk about gut health to consumers, to even how healthy our employee workplace is! She even writes a few blogs here and there. Happy reading! :)