New to kombucha? We answer all your questions, from "what's a SCOBY?" to "what does it taste like?" Your introduction to the world of fermented tea starts here.
You’ve seen it in the refrigerated section, your wellness-obsessed friend won't stop talking about it, and the name alone sounds... interesting. So, what is kombucha, really?
If you're new to the kombucha scene, welcome! Let's clear up the mystery.
At its most basic, kombucha is a fermented tea.
That's it! It starts as a simple brew of sweetened tea (at Brew Dr., we use a special blend of organic loose-leaf teas). Then, a little magic is added.
That "magic" is a SCOBY, which stands for Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast.
If you've ever seen one, it looks a bit like a pale, rubbery pancake. It might look strange, but this living culture is the engine of kombucha. The yeast in the SCOBY eats most of the sugar, and the bacteria convert the rest into healthy organic acids. This fermentation process is what creates the bubbles, the delicious tart-sweet-tangy flavor, and all the good stuff inside.
Myth-Buster: You might hear people call the SCOBY a "mushroom," but it’s not a fungus! It's its own unique culture of beneficial bacteria and yeast.
This is the number one question for a reason. Will it taste like sweet tea? Vinegar? Beer?
The truth is, high-quality kombucha tastes like none of those. A well-made kombucha should be:
The best part is the flavor. Because it’s made from real tea and fermented, it has a complex, deep flavor profile that you just can't get from a sugary soda. And when you add real, organic ingredients, the possibilities are endless.
If you're wondering where to start, we recommend a flavor that’s bright and familiar. A great first step is our Island Mango Kombucha. The juicy mango and tart passionfruit are a classic, refreshing combo that makes for a perfect introduction.
People originally drank kombucha for its potential wellness benefits. The fermentation process doesn't just make it taste great; it creates live, active cultures (aka probiotics).
We’ll dive more into that in our next post, but for now, just know that you're drinking a delicious, bubbly beverage with a rich history and a living kick.
Ready to try it for yourself?
Check out our full range of organic, raw kombucha flavors right here.
