A sustainable drink that is good for the environment and your body
For some time, the term kombucha has been wrongly associated only with health fanatics as a tasteless drink that couldn’t possibly be enjoyable. So, I decided to put that prejudice to the test. For 2 months, I tried several versions, flavours, and brands of kombucha to make up my mind and see how it made me feel. And, along the way, and after trying out different brands, I also got to learn that some are organic, and sustainable, promoting some of the values we love here at Life Lovers Magazine. So, here’s my verdict about kombucha’s flavour, gut benefits and sustainability efforts.
Little Chilean @gaby.o
The first thing I heard about kombucha was that it is fermented bacteria and that it tasted weird. If that’s not enough to put you off, I also noticed it was hard to find or, when I did, it was quite expensive and of a mix of flavours that were not appealing. Luckily, things have changed quite a bit since this drink became a health trend a few years back. So I guess I’m lucky that my kombucha myth-breaking journey happened now and not before, because the flavours, styles and brands I’ve found are far from tasteless or boring.
But above all, my biggest surprise was to realize that a few companies that produce kombucha are actually certified B Corp brands, use recycled glass or have different actions to stay sustainable.
Is kombucha sustainable?
To get to that answer, let’s first take a step back first and find out what actually is kombucha.
According to Mayo Clinic, Kombucha “is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. To make the drink, bacteria and yeast must first grow together to form a culture. The culture is added to the sugar and tea. Then the mix is allowed to ferment”.
“The end result, kombucha, contains B vitamins, organic acids, antioxidants, and probiotics; all good stuff for your body. While we don’t make any health claims, naturally fermented foods are known for their probiotic properties that may help with digestion and create a more balanced gut microbiome”, adds "All About the Booch".
We get the picture; the process is pretty natural and straightforward. But what I found even more fascinating is that creating Kombucha is environmentally safe and of low impact. And if we particularly focus on the fermentation process that turns tea (focus on the not always so responsible tea industry) and sugar into organic Kombucha, I’ve found that is 100% natural and can be 100% sustainable when made responsibly at any scale.
Additionally, Bustle explains that it “is possible to source sustainable tea to make your kombucha at home. Fairtrade and eco-friendly teas exist, and though they may be a little more expensive than regular tea, they'll have less environmental impact”.
So, here is the trick, finding brands that prioritize environmentally friendly practices. If you buy kombucha, do some research on what kind of teas the kombucha maker uses to create their product.
Why do I want to drink kombucha?
So, this was the question I had pending when I started this little kombucha research. The next thing I believe is worth mentioning now is that our favourite non-alcoholic fermented drink is actually very good for our belly.
According to Benjamin Meech from Daily Dose, Kombucha is “packed with probiotics (great for your gut), antioxidants, B12 vitamins and beneficial acids that regulate the PH in your body. But It also provides us with true organic ingredients in a low-calorie drink, which is a great alternative to industrial sodas. You can also enjoy it, instead of drinking beer, cider or any alcoholic beverages, when you don't feel like drinking. But if you do, it can also cure you of any hangover”.
I put that last part to the test and, yes, it’s true. I did feel way better after a kombucha detox drink. In any case, whether it is to help deal with a hangover or cure belly pain, kombucha’s vitamins and hydrating benefits, on top of it acting as a probiotic for your body (due to what’s known as good bacteria), will give you a full detox feel.
Brew Dr., a Kombucha brand from the US, explains that perfectly. “An effective way to replenish hydration to the cells is through electrolytes. Kombucha is high in natural electrolytes and can help you get hydrated faster than just plain water. The process of kombucha fermentation relies on sugar for the cultures to feast on, but that doesn’t mean it’s a high-sugar drink. In the process, much of the sugars are consumed, leaving healthy cultures and a delicious tea brew. While sports drinks boast high electrolytes, they often carry a high sugar content. Kombucha is a better alternative to reach for, making kombucha good for hangovers (and the accompanying headaches). Another benefit? Studies have shown migraines and headaches are tied to gut health, and probiotics have a positive effect on those reporting pain”.
And that brings us to the final and last point of why I’m a new fan of kombucha and why you should too: flavour. Yes, this was definitely a shocker for me, but it’s true. Kombucha can actually be delicious. From a classic ginger taste to mixes of raspberry and citron(ey) flavours, and an unexpectedly delicious beetroot-flavoured booch. Whether drinking it alone or mixed as a cocktail, kombucha tastes good, feels good and, yes, it does good.
Now, what to try?
Here’s my rundown of the best 5 kombucha drinks to try:
1 - Daily Dose
This French company is the one that makes that delicious beetroot kombucha I mentioned earlier. But they actually have plenty of delicious varieties, and it comes in a pretty cool bottle.
“Daily Dose is the final product of many years of research by tasting dozens of kombuchas around California and Europe. After many trials, we decided to bring our mother (SCOBY), all the way from California, which provides an addictive tang to our booch. By developing an acute taste of kombucha, we handcrafted our own recipes in order to come up with a few, outside-the-box, elaborated recipes. All our ingredients are organic, freshly squeezed by hand and do not contain preservatives or concentrates. Outside the taste of the booch, Daily Dose decided to create an unconventional marketing and packaging brand by breaking the codes of organic products with a pop and sleek look to its label. In addition to the eye-catching logo, the bottle also brings attention for its apothecary looks. All in all, Daily Dose tastes great, looks fantastic and will get you hooked on booch!
You can find Daily Dose on Instagram @dailydosefr.
2- Rowdy Mermaid
With a very creative name around, Rowdy Mermaid is an American brand of Kombucha that was started in a garage by founder Jamba Dunn, who was determined to create a kombucha that didn't taste so ... "kombucha-y." His goal was to make a more accessible version of the drink that was less sugary, vinegary, less caffeinated, less acidic, and safer overall for consumption. With the help of his daughter, who was inspired to add herbs from their garden, they created a company that matched their vision. With female empowerment, gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core, Rowdy Mermaid is a solid kombucha pick.
You can find them @rowdymermaid on IG.
3- Mighty Brew
This British brand gives a classy, more of a Sunday brunch kind of vibe to kombucha, ideal to replace or mix with prosecco. It’s handmade in a microbrewery using cold-processing methods. And, according to Mighty Brew, their “kombucha is made using an advanced three-stage water filtration system for purity and is free from all artificial flavours, colours, preservatives and GMOs. It’s bottled in recyclable glass with BPA and PVC-free lids. Certified Soil Association Organic and Vegan Certified.”.
You can get it directly from their website, www.mightybrew.com.
4- Equinox
A regular on the shelves of Waitrose and Co-Op, Equinox is a British brand that champions its ability to craft kombucha that is both organic and sustainable. According to Liz Earle Wellbeing Magazine, “the brand is currently undergoing B Corporation accreditation. B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, making them a good ethical choice for your kombucha consumption”.
5- B-tea Kombucha
This Czech brand is strong on its core values: health, vitality, honesty, transparency, and choice. According to Tasting Table, they do their part to stay sustainable and environmentally friendly, “by supporting sustainable farming practices, raising awareness about health issues, and ensuring its product is of top quality, B-tea upholds its beliefs in practice. Unlike most companies, it uses BPA-free, UV-protected plastic bottles, and its pro-biotic teas do not require refrigeration. The bottles are both reusable and 100% recyclable.
You can find it on their website http://b-tea.lt, or directly on Amazon.
