“Kom-boo-cha”⎯ the most unusual beverage name you might have heard until now. But don’t worry, the drink is a little less complicated than its name. You may have seen the mention of Kombucha online or in convenience stores.
But most of us have always skipped buying it because the name doesn’t give us an idea what this drink is. Don’t be hesitant about it, we’re all on the same page. But we do not want you to miss out on this healthy drink.
Read this blog to learn more about Kombucha. You’ll know what makes this drink so special. Also, you’ll be able to flex by picking a Kombucha in front of your friends; we won’t take the credit, promise!
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink. It is made by adding a mixture of bacteria or yeast to a prepared sweetened green or black tea. Yes, the bacteria and yeast stuff does not sound appealing or even appetising.
But it’s the source of nutrition in Kombucha. As experts would say, the yeast and bacteria digest the sweetened tea that develop byproducts like acetic acids throughout the process.
The yeast and bacteria mixture added to the tea is known as a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Often known as SCOBY, this mixture sits in the tea for two or more weeks until the kombucha is ready. The final product you get is a mix of a little sweet, fizzy, and a little tart bubbly tea.
What is This Drink Made Of?
Kombucha is made using organic Kombucha Culture (sulphurless cane sugar, herbs blend, yeast & probiotic bacteria culture, organic green tea) and alkaline water.
While the common ingredients used in kombucha include sugar, yeast, and tea, several brands offer various flavors in these. So the secondary ingredients may differ depending on the flavours you buy.
This is an interesting part because most people prefer to avoid the basic taste of Kombucha but the flavours make it appealing. Flavours like hibiscus, ginger, lemon, cranberry, pineapple, peach, lavender, rose and many others are available in the market today.
The basic drink ingredients are kept still in the tea for weeks and this process allows the formation of yeast and bacteria in the drink which break down organic molecules. This whole process is known as fermentation.
You don’t like the sound of making the bacteria sit in the tea for weeks? Remember how our moms ferment milk and make fresh curd at home? Or how do Koreans ferment cabbage to prepare kimchi? Kombucha follows the same process and that is how this drink becomes so healthy.
The SCOBY formed on the top of the liquid can also be used to form more Kombucha. The bacteria include lactic acid bacteria that work as a probiotic in the tea. This drink is also a healthy pack of B vitamins.
Health Benefits of Kombucha
There are many health benefits of Kombucha. This fermented beverage is popular for its digestion-improving properties. Apart from it, it is known to keep your gut health in balance, remove toxins from the body, and boost your energy. It can also improve your immune system, help you shed weight, and prevent the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Here is all the impressive stuff about Kombucha:
- It is Probiotic-rich
- Helps in boosting immunity
- Made of all-natural ingredients
- It is gut-friendly
The popularity of Kombucha is on the rise in India, leading to the emergence of several notable brands in the market. Among these, Toyo, Borecha, Atmosphere Kombucha, Mountain Tribe, and Raw Kombucha have gained significant recognition.
As consumers increasingly embrace the health benefits and unique flavors of Kombucha, these brands are contributing to the growth of the kombucha industry in the country.
Conclusion
Kombucha hits you like wine- slowly! You might need some time to realise the goodness of this drink. It might also take some time to get used to Kombucha’s taste.
So if you are relying on green tea or black coffee to keep yourself active, Kombucha can be a great alternative. It is healthier, more nutritious, and isn’t addictive (not that its addiction will cause any harm anyway. Getting your hands on a flavourful kombucha drink can be a fresh start to the day.
