Clearly Kombucha

Happy Tuesday my friends! I hope your veggie week is off to a great start. Today I wanted to introduce you to something rather new to me, kombucha. Whatta whatta?! I know the name seems a little odd but lets learn about this nutritious drink together.

So what exactly is this kombucha I speak of? Kombucha refers to any of a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks that are commonly used as functional beverages for their unsubstantiated health benefits.

Although there is very little evidence on how it may affect health, we do know that most kombucha drinks contain live bacteria. And evidence is mounting that friendly bacteria or probiotics aide digestion and possibly even strengthens the immune system.

The actual process of making kombucha is fairly simple. Black or green tea is sweetened with sugar. A concoction of bacteria and yeast is then added. The mixture is fermented in a container for at least a week. During this time, microbe production speeds up as the bacteria feast on the added sugar, grow and multiply. The end result looks like a rubbery disc that forms on top of the tea, called the SCOBY, or “symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast.” It’s a thriving colony of microorganisms — billions of them, converting sugar into vinegar and other aromatic compounds. The sheer number of bacteria makes it very difficult to know for sure if the concoction includes only the good bacteria.

Last week I had the pleasure of trying kombucha for the very first time. Clearly Kombucha to be exact! I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I went with their Strawberry Hibiscus flavored kombocha and braved myself for this vinegar like drink. Being a vinegar lover, I was pleasantly surprised by my first sip. It taste like strawberry watered down vinegar. It was very light and had a small amount of fizz. Since trying it, I’ve been taking a little shot of Clearly Kombucha every morning to get my stomach going for the day!

Formed in 2009, Clearly Kombucha® is a California Bay Area company dedicated to brewing the most palatable and fun (not to mention authentic) kombucha possible. Clearly Kombucha brews a light and refreshing “booch” to reflect the company’s core belief that you come alive when you lighten up. Its refreshing taste, low sugar content, and light-hearted spirit are all reasons to celebrate.

Let me know what you think when you try your Clearly Kombucha!

Xo,