Kombucha: My New Obsession!

How many of you have tried Kombucha?  Have you even heard of it?

Well, if not, I encourage you to run out and buy a bottle of this magical liquid.  Kombuca is my new obsession.  I am absolutely in love with this drink and with only 30-35 calories per 16oz bottle, plus all the health benefits associated, it is a guilt-free indulgence.  Honestly, it is one of the few foods or beverages that actually makes me feel physically better after I consume it.

This tasty drink is essentially a fermented tea.  It is considered a "raw food" and must be kept refrigerated.  It has been said that Kombucha detoxifies the body and energizes the mind.

The beverage contains glucuronic acid, which is a compound that is naturally produced by the liver for detoxification.  So not only does this compound help detoxify your body, it also is known to be a cancer-preventative agent.  The naturally occurring probiotics are also great for those wanting to balance their digestive systems.

So how is it made?  Similar to the process of making beer or wine, yeast and bacteria are added to the tea, which creates an effervescent and slightly sour beverage.  Trace amounts of alcohol are also present in the drink, as alcohol is a naturally occurring biproduct from the yeast.


I find it to be a good beverage to turn to if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed.  In fact, I am almost starting to enjoy it more than my evening glass of wine.

For people who love soda pop, it is an excellent alternative as well.  Many soda drinkers are looking for a sweetness and fizz - Kombucha has both, but at a fraction of the calories and with a multitude of health benefits.  Kombucha has 30 calories per 16oz bottle (calories vary by flavor) versus a 16oz coca cola which contains 194 calories and controversial GMO high-fructose corn syrup.

Kombucha may be an acquired taste for many, due to the sour flavor.  If you find it very sour at first, give it a chance and try it over a few days.  Trust me, you will learn to love the sourness of the beverage and even more so, you will ove the feeling it gives you after you drink it. 

The Kombucha I buy is GT's Kombucha and I find it at Whole Foods.  They have a wide variety of flavors available.  The original is simply the tea flavor, but you can also find flavors like strawberry, hibiscus, mango, ginger, and more!  My favorite is the "Gingerade,"but I love them all!

The owner of the company has a very inspiring story, starting the company when he was only a teenager fueled by his mother who was diagnosed with cancer.  The company today is flourishing, yet, as the bottle states, they "remain committed to expanding the company gradually and organically, never sacrificing quality for the sake of profits."

I would love to hear your comments if you have tried Kombucha and what you think of it.