Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage with roots tracing back centuries, is the number one drink on the lips of the health-conscious. Packed with probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, kombucha supports gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome. The best kombucha brands are crafted with care to produce fantastic flavor and all the good health benefits that come with the drink.
How is kombucha made?
The magic of kombucha unfolds in a simple yet fascinating dance of microbes and tea. It all starts with brewing sweetened black or green tea, the fuel for the microbial party to come. Then, enter the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), a friendly disc teeming with bacteria and yeast. This dynamic duo gets cozy in the tea, and the fermentation frenzy begins! The bacteria munch on the sugar, transforming it into tangy organic acids, while the yeast puffs out bubbly carbon dioxide. After a seven-to-10-day primary fermentation, some brewers add a flavor twist with fruits, herbs, or spices for extra antioxidants and deliciousness. This secondary fermentation in sealed bottles creates even more fizz and unique flavor profiles. Finally, your bubbly brew gets bottled and chilled, ready to refresh and revitalize. Remember, the best kombucha is the one that dances on your taste buds and fuels your well-being, so grab some SCOBY magic and start brewing!
Health Benefits of Kombucha:
Kombucha, the fizzy fermented tea sensation, has exploded from health food stores to mainstream aisles. But what’s behind the hype? Is it just a trendy probiotic panacea, or does the best kombucha truly offer a bounty of benefits? Buckle up, brew enthusiasts, as we delve into the science and secrets of this effervescent elixir.
- Probiotic Powerhouse: The star of the show is undoubtedly kombucha’s gut-friendly bacteria. These living cultures, like lactobacillus and saccharomyces, promote digestive health, aid nutrient absorption, and may even strengthen your immune system. Think of it as a microscopic cheering squad for your gut!
- Antioxidant All-Star: Kombucha brims with antioxidants, those valiant molecules that combat free radicals and cellular damage. This translates to potential benefits like reduced inflammation, a younger-looking you, and even protection against chronic diseases. Cheers to a healthier, brighter you!
- Energy Enhancer: Feeling sluggish? Kombucha’s natural B vitamins, like B12 and B6, can give you a gentle energy boost. Plus, the effervescent carbonation can perk you up without the jitters of coffee. Think of it as a bubbly, natural pick-me-up!
- Detox Delight: Kombucha’s organic acids, like gluconic acid, may aid in detoxification by helping your body eliminate waste products. It’s like a mini internal spring cleaning, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
- Flavor Fiesta: Gone are the days of vinegary kombucha purgatory. Today’s best kombucha brands tantalize taste buds with a kaleidoscope of fruit-infused flavors, from ginger-pear to hibiscus-raspberry. It’s a delicious way to support your health, no sacrifice required!
Ever wondered which kombucha is the go-to elixir for health enthusiasts? StudyFinds has found the most mentioned recommendations for the best kombucha brands from 12 expert lists. Join the kombucha revolution. Share your favorite kombucha flavors in the comments below!
The List: Best Kombucha, According to Experts
Health-Ade Kombucha
Health-Ade was found by a husband, wife, and best friend in 2012. What started as a farmer’s market stand has now grown into one of the best-selling kombucha brands available. But that doesn’t mean they take any shortcuts on quality now that they’ve hit it big. The brand claims to continue to value their commitment to quality production. Life Hack likes that each bottle is shipped cold to preserve probiotics, containing healthy acids for the stomach. It is marketed as organic, non-GMO, raw, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher.
Taste of Home highlights Health-Ade’s Organic Ginger-Lemon Kombucha as one of their best flavors. It is made with kombucha starter, pressed ginger, lemon juice, and green and black teas, it offers an energizing boost with a lightly sweetened taste (5g of sugar per serving). Described as approachable, it has a pale yellow hue, bubbles, and a pleasant ginger smell, they mention in their review.
Very Well Fit mentions that Health-Ade offers over a dozen kombucha flavors, providing options for various taste preferences. The brand lists the probiotic content at 1 billion CFU per bottle at the time of production. Flavor recommendations include Bubbly Rose for a festive sip, Pink Lady Apple for a fall crisp flavor, and other favorites like Watermelon, Blood Orange Carrot Ginger, Mint Limeade, and Tropical Punch.
Better Booch Kombucha
According to Food Network, Better Booch offers a relatively sweet and fruity kombucha that stands out for allowing the actual taste of tea to come through. They describe Better Booch as a great starting point for those easing into kombucha, particularly for those who enjoy tea with a hint of sugar. What flavors should you try? Citrus Sunrise and Guava Cooler are Food Network‘s recommendations.
Raise your glass to kombucha, the unsung hero of midday slumps. A Sweetpea Chef likes how Better Booch is great for those aiming to reduce or quit sugar. It’s described as a zero-calorie kombucha with a black tea blend containing L-theanine, which is known to enhance focus.
Life Hack emphasizes Better Booch as part of one of the best kombucha brands, promoting its commitment to producing kombucha that is 100 percent healthy. The brand’s offerings are kosher, vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, organic, and raw. They also note that they have five flavors available.
Buddha’s Brew Kombucha
Number three on the list of best kombucha is Buddha’s Brew Kombucha. “Buddha’s Brew is the best option to introduce new kombucha drinkers to the fermented tea beverage. With 14 dynamic flavors, this brand offers a kombucha catered to anyone’s taste preferences. The brand uses organic ingredients and fair trade teas in its brewing process, developing an authentic and healthy beverage that’s perfect in the mornings. With only 11 grams of sugar per bottle, this is a gut-healthy option with less sugar than its lead competitors,” writes The Beet.
New to this fermented fantasy? The Beet recommends Buddha’s Brew as the ideal choice for introducing newcomers to kombucha. Boasting 14 dynamic flavors, the brand caters to diverse taste preferences and employs organic ingredients and fair trade teas in its brewing process.
Meet our new probiotic superhero. A Sweetpea Chef likes how this brand offers full-strength kombucha without pasteurization or filtration. This promises a potent dose of probiotics for an impactful experience.
Nutritious Life also recommends Buddha’s Brew. They talk about how their journey from a farmer’s market booth to a fully-fledged kombucha business based in Austin, TX has blown expectations out of the park. Described as full-strength kombucha that is never pasteurized, Buddha’s Brew nurtures living cultures, necessitating refrigeration.
GT Synergy Raw Kombucha
GT’s Living Foods, the brand behind Synergy Kombucha, has been family-owned and operated since1995. Their goal is to spread the word that food can be medicine. That definitely transates with their kombuchas. Nutritious Life names GT “the hippie mom of the kombucha crew.” They also say how their long-standing position in the kombucha industry makes them one of the most recognizable brands on the shelf. What makes it so great? Simplicity through and through.
What flavor should you start with? Very Well Fit suggests the Enlightened Synergy Gingerade Kombucha. It is made with bacteria culture, black tea, green tea, kiwi juice, and ginger juice. They commend their attention to detail in how the type and number of probiotics are always measured at the time of bottling. Plus, their 9 billion live probiotics captured in each bottle is more than many competitors.
Health-conscious consumers will appreciate the organic ingredients used in GT kombucha. Life Hack says their years of experience ensure the finest quality, but some consumers are not fans of the taste.
Holy Kombucha Signature Brew
Holy Kombucha is based in Fort Worth, TX, and produces both kombucha and tepache drinks. Tepache is another kind of fermented drink made from pineapple. But, let focus on their kombucha, What’s not to like? A Sweetpea Chef sums up the basics of their drinks, writing, “Organic. Raw. Frizzy. Yum!” and recommends the Green Apple Ginger and Moon Dance flavors.
You are also supporting a company that values giving back when you grab a bottle of Holy Kombucha. Nutritious Life says they donate a percentage of their profits regularly to charity. Their review also recommends the Blood Orange flavor.
Holy Kombucha only contain about 60 calories without any artificial ingredients or preservatives. The Beet describes the flavors as addicting, especially the Prickly Pear variety. They say it’s not too sweet, but still refreshing and thirst-quenching.
Humm Kombucha
Number six on the list is Humm Kombucha, a brand based out of Bend, OR. Founders Jamie and Michelle began their business by hand-delivering home brewed kombucha to doorsteps in their community. Soon, the company exploded with success and demanded more production, leading them to become modern day Humm. Life Hack says the taste of this kombucha matches the fun and joyful designs found on the can. You can expect a taste similar to ginger beer, but it is often hard to find because it’s so popular.
While you can find them in colorful cans, Humm is also produced in custom-made brown glass bottles. Liz Earle Wellbeing suggests the Coconut Lime, Blueberry Mint and Mango Passion flavors, but their number one favorite is the Pomegranate Lemonade.
Women’s Health Mag likes the lower-sugar Ginger Juniper which only has five grams of sugar, but still packs a punch in flavor.
Kevita Master Brew Kombucha
In need of an energy boost? Prevention describes KeVita as a solid choice, particularly appealing to first-time drinkers. The sweeter and more approachable taste is achieved with the addition of stevia, making it suitable for those new to kombucha. While some purists may find the taste artificial, this organic and probiotic-packed nature of KeVita is a favorite of many.
Utzy likes how Kevita Kombucha products are certified organic, ensuring high-quality ingredients. Moreover, KeVita’s drinks are confirmed to be non-alcoholic, providing an extra benefit for pregnant mothers.
Food Network praises Kevita for delivering the expected characteristics of traditional kombucha, including bold flavors, bright acidity, bubbles, and complexity, KeVita stands out for its bite compared to other brands. This makes it a suitable option for sipping at events where alcohol is not consumed or as a morning caffeine alternative, turning the ritual of drinking kombucha into a mindful daily moment.
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Sources:
- Life Hack
- The Beet
- Utzy
- Liz Earle Wellbeing
- SG Magazine
- Taste of Home
- A Sweetpea Chef
- Food Network
- Edible Ethics
- Nutritious Life
- Standard
- Prevention
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.