Crazy about kombucha
Known as the "Tea of Immortality" during the Chinese Tsin Dynasty in 221 BC, kombucha, pronounced kom-boo-cha, has seen a recent surge in popularity as companies (and consumers) tout its many purported health benefits.
While some have called it a plant, others a mushroom, kombucha is in fact a living symbiotic colony of beneficial microorganisms including yeast and bacteria. When added to tea (such as green or black) and sugar and allowed to ferment, an elixir of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and health-giving organic acids forms.
The distinctive taste of kombucha
With a sharp flavor many people liken to vinegar, kombucha initially can be a bit of a shock to the tastebuds. But it's a taste that seems to grow quickly on those who try it. Naturally effervescent, kombucha is available now in a wide variety of flavors, from sweet to earthy.
At PCC, we carry seveal brands of kombucha, including:
- High Country is brewed in the Rocky Mountains, in Eagle, Colo. It's available in a wide array of flavors, including Original Wild Root, Ginger, Aloe and Goji.
- GT's is brewed in Southern California. Their original line comes in four flavors — original, citrus, gingerade and multi-green. Their Synergy line combines 95 percent organic kombucha with five percent real fruit juice to offer these flavors — trilogy, mango, raspberry, passionberry, strawberry, cranberry, guava, grape and gingerberry.
- Kombucha Wonder Drink is made in Portland from fresh-brewed organic teas and infused with organic fruit concentrates. Find it in flavors such as Niagara Grape, Essence of Lemon, Asian Pear and Ginger, and more.
- The Rejuvenation Company brews its kombucha in San Francisco in flavors including Ginger, Pomegranate and Mango.
*Selection varies by store.