Effervescent and Fermented
Stores are stocking up on Kombucha and more people are drinking it, but what is it? Kombucha is a slightly sweet, slightly acidic beverage that is consumed worldwide. It’s created through the fermentation of sugared tea with a SCOBY, or symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, also known as tea fungus. The sugar used in the recipe fuels the fermenting process and the final product is very low in sugar, with most 15-ounce bottles containing only 4 to 16 grams of sugar, compared to 36 grams in a glass of orange juice or over 70 grams found in popular sodas.
The fizzy probiotic beverage contains B vitamins and antioxidants. Kombucha is antimicrobial, which means it inhibits the activity of many pathogenic microorganisms due to the organic acids it contains.
Neu Kombucha in Farmington, Michigan makes the Kombucha sold on tap at places such as 20 Front Street in Lake Orion – photo by Sonya Julie
Sixteen Hundred Years of Health
In 414 A.D., the physician Kombu brought the tea fungus to Japan to cure digestive problems for the Emperor Inkyo. As trade routes expanded, Kombucha found its way into Russia. It travelled across Europe and Africa during the 20th Century and continues to spread across the globe.
In the 1950s, researches from Switzerland reported that drinking Kombucha was as beneficial as consuming yogurt. More research was conducted in the 1990s and 2000s. Some of the positive benefits include reduced cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. It can increase the body’s resistance to cancer, counteract aging, and promote liver function. It normalizes intestinal activity, balances flora, and cures hemorrhoids. It can help prevent and heal bladder infections and reduce kidney calcification. It can also enhance the immune system and improve metabolism.
Quenching Thirst in Rochester
Traditionally brewed at home, Kombucha became available in health food stores, and then moved to major retailers all over the world. It can be found in many locations in the Rochester area including at Hollywood Markets, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market, Target, Meijer, Kroger, Busch’s, and Health Foods of Rochester. “We have Kombucha in the produce department of each of our stores,” said Hollywood Market, and out Rochester has “it in their grocery department as well.”
Kombucha is available in most Produce Departments at Local Grocery Stores – photo by Sonya Julie
Flavors vary widely and include Strawberry, Grape, Citrus Hops, Beet, Mango Habanero, Pineapple Peach, Lavender Melon, Hibiscus Ginger, and Raspberry Chia. Popular brands include GT’S, Kevita, Health-Ade Kombucha, Búcha, Unity Vibration Tea, and Brew Dr. Kombucha. The GT’S brand has a Classic Kombucha line that is only for those who are 21 years of age and older because in the natural brewing process, the small amount of alcohol varies and can contain more than 0.5 percent alcohol, which is the legal limit imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bottles are clearly marked if they exceed this limit and cashiers will check for ID.
The Red Wagon Wine Shop on Rochester Road carries Kombucha Beer by Unity Vibration, a brewer based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This alcoholic beverage comes in four-packs (two ginger and two raspberry flavored) of 12-ounce bottles that are 8% alcohol in volume.
Michigan Brews
For locally brewed Kombucha on tap, the Social Café at 20 Front Street in Lake Orion offers Kombucha by the glass or by the growler. “We are primarily a tea library,” Allan Goetz of 20 Front Street said, “Kombucha being made from tea; we thought it would be a good fit. It’s very popular so there’s quite a few people who drink Kombucha every day, and quite a few people who come in and fill up their growlers. Right from the time we opened up, that was a number one selling item.”
Neu Kombucha in Farmington, Michigan makes the Kombucha sold at 20 Front Street. Super Berry and Lavender Lemon are the two flavors that are always on tap while additional flavors such as Pineapple Ginger, Tart Cherry Ginseng, Root Beer, and other seasonal blends rotate in and out. Jennie Neu-Sipkay and Julius Sipkay, Owners of Neu Kombucha, produce their raw, organic Kombucha in small batches. It is transported in kegs, similar to beer kegs.
“On Saturdays we text in our order and pick it up in Farmington,” Goetz said. When seeking out a local supplier for Kombucha, “We went and tried a couple and we met with Jennie; and tried hers, and pretty much by taste, we just really liked hers.”
Rob Dawson, Erika Bertrand, Zack Hampel, Frankie Rivera Enjoy a Growler of Kombucha outside at Lake Orion’s 20 Front Street where their Social Café serves up Four Flavors of the Tea-Based Beverage – photo by Michael Dwyer
Tea Time
Kombucha tea can also be brewed at home and there are many books, classes, websites, and videos that offer further detail. For first time drinkers, experimenting with different brands and flavors is suggested due to the wide variety of tastes and styles.
Try Kombucha on Tap
Social Café open Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
20 Front Street
Lake Orion, MI 48362
248-783-7105
About Sonya Julie