I never thought I’d find a drink to serve me more liquid bliss than coffee. That was until I meet what is known as Kombucha. One day I was at a service-station shopping for a pink-lemonade soda to pair with my coconut infused vodka. In the store’s cooler was a glass bottle of bright red stuff labeled “Trilogy”.
Having a curious mind, I needed to know more about this liquid threesome- The header on the bottle read, “Synergy -Organic Kombucha”, and the three ingredients comprising the “Trilogy”: Tart Lemon, Tangy Raspberry and Spicy Ginger immediately sold me. The main ingredients included GT’s Living Food Kombucha, black tea and green tea.
This was the beginning of a love affair! In this article I discuss three things about Kombucha that I Love and you need to know:
- Taste
- Feel
- Health
Watch This Topic Discussed On The “Let’s Talk Grub” Show or continue reading below the video.
What Is Kombucha
Before I continue raving, let me dive into some Kombucha semantics. So, Kombucha is described by experts as a beverage produced by fermenting sweet tea with a culture of yeast and bacteria. This might sound boring but, it’s delicious and vivacious! Continue reading to learn about the reasons I enjoy the sweet bubbly sensation of organic raw Kombucha
1. Taste – What Does Kombucha Taste Like
The drink is effervescent in nature with a taste and smell reminiscent to apple-cider vinegar. But, there’s a sweet twist! Most kombucha tea is packed with delightful, irresistible bubbles of perfectly brewed fruit juices and purees, herbs and cane sugar. The drink becomes carbonated after fermentation which makes it fizz. The splendid combination of the sweet, tangy and tart makes kombucha teas taste incredible and live!
If you haven’t guessed it already, kombucha makes a great mix for cocktails because of its exuberant taste.
There are loads of flavors by various brands. I have included some of my favorites:
By: GT’s Living Foods Synergy Enlightened Brand: Lavender Love; Ginger-berry; Trilogy; Watermelon Wonder; and Guava Goddess
By: GT’s Living Foods Kombucha Enlightened : Gingerade; Lemonade; and Multi-Green
By: Health Aide: Maca-Berry
By: Kombucha 221 B.C.-Mind -Body-Spirit: Jun Honey Matcha; Berry Hibiscus; and Ginger
By: Brew Dr. Kombucha – Mint Lemonade; Love
By: Kevita -Master Brew Kombucha: Pineapple Peach; Grapefruit; and Ginger
I have bought some Kombucha tea that I did not enjoy due to taste. I did not list those in this article.
2. FEEL – How Does The Kombucha Make Me Feel
I experience an instant feel of renewal after the first few swallows the fermented tea. The clarity and spark of rejuvenation is undeniable.
At first encounter, I was energized and recharged as well as electrified and bright eyed. I was amazed! I was forced to further examine the bottle Believe it or not, the bottle warned: “renew, re-balance, rebuild, reclaim, rekindle, recharge”; “reawaken; rethink; redefine; rediscover; restart; regain; re-imagine; relive; re-purpose; reinvent; reclaim; recapture”
I attest to every ounce of the words printed on the metallic label. I relive the bliss every-time I go for a cold bottle of kombucha. Adding to the bliss, it curbs my appetite!
There is a logical reason for the felicity associated with this vivacious tea! As a result of fermentation there are trace amounts of alcohol (<%0.05) and naturally occurring caffeine in Kombucha.
Did Some One Say Alcohol – Is Kombucha Beer
The Kombucha mentioned throughout this content contains trace amounts of alcohol due to the regular fermentation process. It’s not enough alcohol (<%0.05) to be labeled an alcoholic beverage. The average bottle of Kombucha contains as much alcohol as grapes juice. As I mentioned before, because of it’s flavorful taste, I have mixed flavored kombucha with a pineapple flavored vodka. It was terrific!
On the other hand, There are Kombucha makers who extend the fermentation process to curate an alcoholic beverage instead a fermented tea. This way there is no need to spike your tea like I have in the past. GT’s Living Foods is the only brand I’ve tried that offers a version of kombucha containing alcohol of up to %3.2.
Brands:
I have tried not to favor one brand more than the other, especially since I am not a representative of either brand. However, GT’s Living Foods has much to offer with more than 30 flavors. Additionally, GT’s Living Foods was the brand that began my experience with Kombucha. Remember the words from the bottle to which I attest.
As well as a variation of food from non-dairy yogurt, to Kombucha with and without alcohol, GT’s Living Foods provides a landing page for its consumers to share words of enlightenment at words@drinkgts.com. Your words of enlightenment can be printed on bottles and shared with our kombucha consuming brothers and sister’s from one retailer to the next!
3. HEALTH CLAIMS
Benefits
I am no expert, nonetheless, I am a learning consumer. According to what I have learned, Kombucha is said to:
- Fight bad back bacteria through the release of probiotics – Kombucha is a natural antibiotic
- Help With Digestion – loaded with healthy bacteria and promote a healthy PH balance in the gut
- Provide Vitamins B & C – Help curb sugar cravings; reduce the risk of heart disease; improve memory functions.
- Anti-oxidize and detoxify
- Aide with stiff or sore joints
- Support Immune Function – through the release of probiotics
IS KOMBUCHA SAFE – Risk
I learned about the concerns some have with Kombucha or consuming too much Kombucha. Some of the concerns seem contradicting to the benefits. The safety concerns are listed below:
- Too much caffeine – There is caffeine in Kombucha. But, Coming from an avid coffee drinker, the caffeine content in the average bottle is perfect harmony. It’s naturally occurring and provides a great boost. Some bottles are labeled “energy enhancers” and include extra caffeine. Depending on the circumstance extra caffeine may be just what you need or maybe not.
- Too many calories – A bottle of Kombucha will cost your diet about 70 calories. Since one bottle easily curbs my appetite and lifts my spirit, I don’t count the 70 or so calories against my health.
- Too much sugar– some warn that there is too much sugar per serving of Kombucha and recommend no more that 5 grams per serving. Whenever I have a bottle, I usually experience a decreased appetite. So I figure eating a little less makes up for the slight increase in sugar. Also, the sugar in most store bought Kombucha is organic cane sugar which is easier to digest. Calorie count ranges between 9-18 grams, more than half the calories of most sodas.
- Concerns for those with suppressed immune systems- If you have immune suppressing illnesses such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS please see you physician.
Kombucha Anyone?
You can buy the fermented tea were food is sold. It is about 3-4 dollars a bottle. There is always a sale on some brand. Sales are good especially when trying brands and flavors for the first time.
Share your experience with Kombucha in the comments. What is your favorite brand and flavor? If you have never tried Kombucha, you should; especially if you can tolerate the a mild apple-cider vinegar taste. You owe yourself a vivacious and healthy treat!
