What Is Kombucha?
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha has become a popular beverage on store shelves, in cafés, and in home kitchens - but what exactly is it? At its core, kombucha is a fermented tea drink known for its tangy flavour, light fizz, and long tradition of craft-style preparation. While many people enjoy it as a refreshing alternative to sodas or juices, its real appeal lies in the unique process behind it and the diverse flavours it can offer.
How Kombucha Is Made
Kombucha begins with just a few simple ingredients: tea, sugar, water, and a SCOBY. The SCOBY (an acronym for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast”) is what makes kombucha possible. It’s a gelatinous, pancake-like culture that transforms sweetened tea into a lightly effervescent drink through fermentation. During this process, the SCOBY consumes much of the sugar and produces a complex mix of organic acids and naturally occurring carbonation. The result is a beverage that is tart, slightly sweet, and sometimes a bit vinegary, depending on how long it ferments.
Fermentation Process
The fermentation typically takes anywhere from one to three weeks for the first stage. Once the primary fermentation is complete, many brewers choose to bottle the kombucha with fruit, herbs, or spices for a second fermentation. This step enhances the flavour and creates additional carbonation. Because kombucha is so customisable, many people enjoy experimenting with homemade versions tailored to their taste preferences.
History of Kombucha
Kombucha has a long history that spans continents. Although its exact origins aren’t fully documented, many sources trace it back thousands of years to regions of East Asia, where it was traditionally prepared as a household beverage. Over time, the practice of brewing kombucha spread across cultures, each adding its own variations in preparation and flavouring. In recent decades, kombucha gained momentum in Western countries through the rise of craft food movements and a growing interest in fermentation-based drinks.
Kombucha’s Flavour Profile
One of the things people often notice first about kombucha is its flavour, which can be quite different from standard soft drinks. It’s tangy, bright, and occasionally sharp, making it closer to sparkling apple cider or a mild vinegar beverage than to sweet soda. For newcomers, this distinct taste might take some getting used to, but many find that they quickly develop a liking for it. The carbonation gives kombucha a refreshing, lively mouthfeel, while the tea base lends a subtle earthy quality beneath the fruity or spicy flavours added later.
Kombucha Today
Today, kombucha is produced both commercially and at home. Store-bought versions tend to offer consistent taste and carbonation, while homemade kombucha allows for creativity and experimentation. Home brewers often enjoy the hands-on process and the flexibility to adjust sweetness, fermentation length, and flavours.
In short, kombucha is a fermented tea drink with a long history, a distinctive taste, and a world of flavour possibilities. Whether you’re exploring it for the first time or considering brewing your own, kombucha offers a unique beverage experience rooted in tradition, craft, and creativity.
If you don’t want to brew kombucha yourself or are curious to try a professionally crafted version, you can also buy our raw, organic and ready-to-drink kombucha here.