Kombucha – The Low Down

Kombucha.  Whether you’ve been actively trying to find natural ways to better your diet or whether you have just been on the internet around some health conscious individuals, I have no doubt that you must have heard about Kombucha.  Or maybe not.  But now you have and like me, it may have left you with a lot of questions.  Hopefully ones I can try and answer for you today.

Side note:  I probably don’t have to tell you that I am obvs not in any way a registered or even wanna be, medical professional.  What I’m sharing here is a combination of info that I have found on the internet, in talks with my various health nut friends and have debated with Doctors.  I’d encourage you to do your own research if you feel that way inclined.  Also, this post is part of a trade exchange with Faithful To Nature.

In my case I’d heard about it from a lot of people (now that I was trying to cure my gut), but I was actually just too scared to try it.  I mean seriously, having a living organism in your drink doesn’t sound very appealing and well, I don’t do gross no matter how good it is for me.  But then I met up with Seth at Truth Coffee in town and they had it on their menu.  I checked with the waiter, he said it was delicious and then I was sold.  He was right.

But what is Kombucha?

According to various internet searches and other research, kombucha is a tea that originated in Asia over 2000 years ago.  It’s a combination of tea, water, sugar and SCOBY that is naturally fermented.  The Scoby is not the dog that goes to find ghosts in a million random places, this Scoby is “Symbiotic ‘Colony’ Of Bacteria and Yeast.  It’s the live culture that puts thousands of good probiotics in the drink.

SUGAR!  You said SUGAR!

Yes.  I said sugar.  The thing is, the sugar is what the SCOBY eats in order to grow.  So by the time you drink it, it’s totally fine.

What does it taste like?

To me it tastes a bit like a cider.  It’s got a natural bubbliness to it and a fermented taste.  It’s quite refreshing on a hot day and I’m looking forward to having them around the braai this Summer.  Also, it’s a great alternative to the Savannahs/wine that I have been trying to cut down on.  It feels like I’m “indulging” without the negative side effects.

Why drink Kombucha?

This fermented drink is reported to have quite a few natural benefits to your health.  These range from boosting energy levels and immunity to aiding with digestion and assisting with overall gut health.  It helps to replenish the good bacteria in your gut and as we have all come to know, a healthy gut can clear up a lot of other side effects we may be struggling with.  Like in my case, my insanely terrible skin.

The Internet says you could die if you drink it.  What the flip?

Guys.  The internet.  It needs to take a chill pill sometimes.  Like I said, I’ve read up about this a lot and yes the internet does say that you can die if you drink it.  But here’s what I’ve figured out.  The two instances that can make you feel really flipping sick are:

1. You drink to much of the stuff.  Guys, moderation with ANYTHING is key and it’s no different to kombucha.  Just think about alcohol – it’s great in moderation but too much of the stuff can kill you.  Even good bacteria can be too much if you have too many of them.  Over doing it will result in a few side effects that include nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue and those kinds of things.  In a lot of cases, it’s been reported to increase your digestion and um, clear out your bowels rather quickly.  I have been drinking it every day (one bottle a day) for almost a week now and have not found that effect on me yet.
2. Most people that suffered these ill effects either drank way too much of the stuff or brewed it at home.  And while there is nothing wrong with making your own kombucha, there is a bit of a science to it.  It can be contaminated quickly and getting the balance of fermentation right is key.  So be cautious.

How do make sure you don’t die?

I’m all about convenience and like, not dying.  So you won’t find me making it at home – mostly because I don’t have the capacity to add another thing that needs my attention to my long list.  By the time I drink it, it will probably have gotten legs and wandered down the street.  Which means that I buy it.  From actual people that specialise in making the stuff and making it safe for consumption.  I’m all about that kind of convenient life.

Ever since I first tried it at Truth, I have been wanting to stock up my fridge but it turns out that it’s harder than it seems.  I tried to contact a brand directly to buy in bulk but they never got back to me.  Then I realised that Faithful to Nature sell it and well, my life was made.  I can sit in the comfort of my office, order it and bam, there it is in a couple of days.  I didn’t even have to get up.

Obviously while I was online I ordered whole bunch of other things because Faithful To Nature doesn’t only do kombucha.  I got sulphur free wine, nuts, dates, coffee and a hot chocolate that is sweetened with coconut sugar.  I also got one of nearly every option of the kombucha, to find the one I loved the most.

Which South African Kombucha options are my favourite?

I’ve started to wonder if there even is a bad kombucha.  All the flavours I’ve tasted were great.  Although when I examined it a bit further, I don’t really enjoy the citrus or buchu flavoured options.  I also didn’t try any of the ginger options as it just reminds me of feeling morning sick and I can’t do ginger anymore.  But so many people have said it’s awesome because it tastes like a fermented ginger beer.

The Theonista Pomegranate and Rooibos is definitely my favourite though and worth the indulgence every now and then because it is the more expensive option.  And guys, I’ve just looked at their site and it’s currently on sale!!  Go get some!  But if like me, you’re wanting to stock up a bit, the Brew is great value for money and I love that it comes in a glass bottle.  I feel like I’m drinking beer.

 

Have you tried kombucha?  Which one is your favourite?