What is kombucha?

In these times of craft beer, organic soft drinks and “bio” foods, the market is bringing back an almost legendary drink. Have you heard of kombucha? It’s no secret that it’s trendy! But although it may seem super alternative, this drink is anything but modern. In fact, it predates the birth of Christ.

The origins of kombucha are found in China. It is a fermented drink made from tea and sugar. In this sense, the production process is similar to that of beer, wine or mead: a microorganism transforms a source of sugars and increases the food’s preservative power. However, this fermentation barely produces any alcohol, so kombucha is not considered an alcoholic beverage, at least in Spain.

The element responsible for fermentation is the SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast). In Spanish, colonia simbiótica de bacterias y levaduras. A specific combination of fungi and bacteria grows in the tea wort while forming a kind of “pancake” where the different microorganisms develop in harmony. Biologically speaking, it’s the same type of relationship as in a lichen.

Today we know that this curious drink spread throughout Asia over the centuries, although it didn’t reach Europe until a few decades ago. In fact, based on the surviving descriptions, we believe that the army of the legendary Genghis Khan drank kombucha during its campaigns as a kind of energizer. We also know that Japanese samurai consumed kombucha before going into battle.

Kombucha has multiple properties. However, it is crucial to consume it unpasteurized to enjoy its benefits, since that process would eliminate the microbes present in the drink. Let’s look at some of its advantages:

• Aids digestion
• Strengthens gut flora thanks to its probiotic load
• It’s energizing, given its theine content
• Strengthens the immune system
• Provides antioxidant polyphenols
• It contains B-group and C-group vitamins
• It is a source of minerals (iron, zinc, copper and manganese)
• It’s low in calories
• It contains only between one and four grams of alcohol per liter

Its sweet-and-sour flavor varies depending on the type of tea used. Several top Spanish chefs have already embraced kombucha as a value proposition in their experiences. That said, it is not a miracle drink as some producers claim. Is it healthy in moderate doses? Of course it is, but on its own it is not a cure for any serious illness. Anything beyond that is homeopathy.