Which Kombucha is truly healthy?
Just because it says Kombucha doesn't mean it's real Kombucha! Healthy, refreshing, full of probiotics, good for the gut and the immune system… These are just some of the keywords associated with the fermented tea drink.
You hear a lot about this miracle drink! Does this apply to all the ones you find in supermarkets or online shops? We have put together 5 simple facts for you. These will make it easier for you to choose the right purchase.
Checklist for real unpasteurized Kombucha
1. Unpasteurized
In raw kombucha, a sediment or small mini tea fungi and yeasts often form at the bottom. These deposits are a good indicator of unpasteurized and unfiltered production. The many valuable ingredients that can arise during fermentation are still alive. Simply shake the bottle carefully and the deposits will disappear. So always choose products labeled as "Raw" and "unpasteurized."
2. Correct Ingredient Order
As with most foods, good quality can be identified here by the order and composition. For a high-quality kombucha, no more than these 4 ingredients are needed: water, a tea infusion based on black tea or green tea, a kombucha culture, and sugar. In addition, natural ingredients such as fruit juice or herbs or other natural additives can be added. Furthermore, the kombucha culture should not be listed at the end of the ingredient list.
3. Organic Ingredients and No Additives
As with most foods and beverages, it is beneficial to support companies with organic seals. You can also make sure that the kombucha is as simple as possible. Some manufacturers add various artificial additives or extracts to the tea drink after fermentation. These are only used to optimize the taste and are actually unnecessary.
4. Natural Fermentation and Live Cultures
On some bottles, ingredients such as herbal tea ferment concentrate, apple cider vinegar, and acidifiers can be found. These indicate that natural fermentation with a tea mushroom may not have occurred. For a real kombucha, only the kombucha cultures should be listed as much as possible. A specified number of defined cultures alone does not indicate whether a kombucha has been naturally or industrially fermented. Probiotics have been added subsequently in the form of dietary supplements.
5. Color, Smell, and Consistency
A real, naturally fermented kombucha has a slight, natural cloudiness and no artificially bright color. The color always depends on the tea used and the natural ingredients. The smell is fresh, slightly sour and reminiscent of a gentle fermentation - not artificially sweet or strongly flavored. A fine perlage is also normal, as it results from natural fermentation. If, on the other hand, the kombucha is very clear, extremely sweet or unusually intensely colored, this often indicates strong filtration, flavorings or industrial processing.
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