Kombucha has slowly been taking over the beverage world. More people have started to drink kombucha because of the associated health benefits, but what exactly are those health benefits? What even is kombucha? These questions (and more!) will be answered in my article, “Your Ultimate Guide to Kombucha”:
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea (most often green or black tea). It’s said to be created around 221 B.C. in Japan, China, and some parts of Europe.
Recently there have been more flavors and recipes of kombucha being created compared was around a long time ago. More and more people are wanting healthier alternative drinks to sodas and other sugary drinks, and kombucha is one of those healthier options, which is a big reason why it has become so popular.
How is Kombucha Made?
Like any kind of tea, kombucha is mixed with specific bacteria and yeast and then set in the right environment to start the fermentation process. The process of fermentation is converting carbohydrates into alcohol or organic acids using microorganisms like that yeast and bacteria I mentioned before!
Kombucha has to be kept cold because it’s actually alive, and if warm, the yeast will be killed. Thus, the health benefits won’t be as effective. After the fermentation process, other ingredients are added to the tea to produce its flavor.
What Are the Health Benefits?
Kombucha is said to help with digestion and diabetes in addition to improving the immune system, reducing blood pressure, and being a detoxifier. It’s also said to help fight cancer and help the liver function. The healthiest part is that it’s a healthy alternative to soda with a lot less sugar.
How Much Sugar, Caffeine, And Alcohol is Found in Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea; to have fermentation, you need sugar. The yeast and bacteria in the tea consume most of the sugar, but leave just enough. Most kombucha has under ten grams of sugar.
Alcohol is also a part of the fermentation process, so depending on what type of kombucha you buy, it may contain alcohol, though a lot of kombucha brands take out the alcohol before it is sold.
As black and green tea are most likely the teas used in the kombucha creation progress, there’s already caffeine in the drink before the fermentation process. Once the process begins to ferment, the caffeine level decreases, but there will still be reduces amounts of caffeine in the end product.
How Do I Choose the Right Kombucha For Me?
As there are many types of kombucha out there, it might be difficult to know what’s the right one for you!
A raw kombucha has naturally occurring bacteria while other kombuchas have been treated with mild heat to get rid of the bacteria.
Read the nutritional labels on the kombucha if you cannot have a certain amount of sugar, because all kombucha has different levels of sugars. And, as always, look at the ingredients in the kombucha as well to see if you like what the manufacturer has used to create the product you’re consuming!
Why Not Try It Out?
With all the health benefits believed to be associated with kombucha consumption, why not try it? There's really no harm in testing out the kombucha waters, so to speak! As a popular alternative drink, it can become your new go-to!
For other healthier alternative drinks, click here.