Look What I Found: Kombucha

©Britany Lueras

While browsing the refrigerated cases at the Henry's Market that just opened near my home, I spied these interesting drinks: G.T.'s Kombucha (say "kom-BOO-cha"). I was drawn first by the beautifully colored liquids contained inside each glass bottle, the matching labels and key words like "rejuvenate," "restore," "revitalize," "replenish" and "regenerate." I could use some of that! And kombucha...sounds like an exotic fruit!

It wasn't until I got home with my bottles of Synergy in Passionberry Bliss and G.T.'s Raw Organic Kombucha in Multi-Green that I actually read on the bottle what this mysterious kombucha was. It's a Chinese tea that has been cultured (i.e. fermented) for 30 days. According to the label, this process allows active enzymes, probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants and polyphenols to form.

Photo by Zero-X @ Flickr 

Kombucha develops a neat, yucky film (culture) on top of the tea, strands of which can be seen floating around in the bottle). The label on the drinks says this only occurs with raw kombucha. Kinda gross if you think about it too much. Health claims include: digestion, metabolism, immune system, liver function, appetite control, weight control, body alkalinity, anti-aging and cell integrity support, and healthy skin and hair.

©Britany Lueras

Hmm...fermented tea! I'll try just about anything as long as it's not going to squirm in my mouth or taste like black licorice. I decided to try out the Multi-Green first - after my doctor's visit earlier, I was in the mood to do my body some good with a drink full superfoods like algae. I shook the bottle to disburse the green silt on the bottom and unscrewed the white plastic cap. I was surprised to find that the drink was carbonated and the scent that those little bubbles carried up to my nose smelled like beer and vinegar. And it definitely tasted like someone added a dash or 10 of vinegar to an ice-cold brew (back of the label warns that there may be a trace amount of alcohol). And just when I thought the taste was gone from my mouth, bam! It came in waves from the back of my tongue and made its way to the front. So maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Looks like the rest is going down the kitchen sink.

©Britany Lueras

Luckily the Passionberry Bliss was a lot tastier. The fizzies and flavor brought me back to the days of sneaking underage sips of fruity wine coolers. There was a bit of a vinegar smell, but not as bad as the other flavor.

Final verdict: Since I gave up diet soda to eliminate artificial sweeteners from my diet, I think I've found a pretty good alternative. One bottle, which has two servings, only has 70 calories and 8 grams of sugar.

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