Kombucha Alcohol

Did you ever hear that kombucha, as a fermented tea, has variable quantities of alcohol? If you did, then know it's true.

Usually the quantity of kombucha alcohol is very small, although some commercial brands keep on fermenting within the package and may reach higher values. Even though not everyone notices, some people do report a certain "jolt" as a result of kombucha alcohol, after drinking this fermented tea.

In 2010, Whole Foods Market removed unpastesteurized kombucha from the shelves, due to the possible presence of a distinguishable quantity of alcohol in them (in the very least as a precaution, as percentages may vary). As far as regulation agencies are concerned, a warning was even issued that taxes applicable to alcoholic beverages might be extended to kombucha.

Kombucha alcohol content may vary from a small 0.5 to the more noticeable 3 percent.

Kombucha

Kombuchas are a special kind of tea, obtained through a fermentation process. Through the proper preparation of a kombucha culture, you can obtain a healthy tea that preserves your organism (antioxidant) and helps it to eliminate microbes. This is why legend says it helps to extend life.

As the kombucha culture evolves, it gains a funky look and feel (or so I think). What can you expect from it? Well, the one I tried looks like a flat mushroom, which is exactly how it is often called. The drink itself fortunately looks like a tea, otherwise I'd had thought twice about drinking it :) See the picture to see the real deal, culture floating in the liquid.

I'm told that if proper care is not taken in storing it, mold can grow on the surface of the culture. If that happens, it is best to throw it out and begin anew, to avoid any unwanted effect.

According to kombucha history, this beverage hails from either Russia or China (the first one seems more likely), and has been around for a few centuries.

As with most fermented products it contains a tiny bit of alcohol, that ranges around point-five percent. So, it's a no-go on having kombucha at the local happy hour. If your looking for health, though, it's something to consider!

Kephir is still my favorite, though, of course :)

Kefir Culture

Food sustains our bodies and minds, and it can bring us health and well-being. For this reason, everyone should know more about what different kinds of nutritious goodies are out there. So, time for some interesting tidbits on matters related to food and kefir culture! Ready for it? Today we're going to begin a quick and small glossary on healthy food, to be further developed individually.


Kombucha: Kombucha is a kind of fermented tea, dating back to the nineteenth century in Russia. It is often used with medicinal purposes, and like kephir it is prepared by letting a kombucha culture ferment.

Tibicos: Tibicos are also known as water kefir grains or sugar kephir. Tibico grains ferment in any liquid that contains sugar (including water), and thus are a good alternative for anyone that wishes to avoid dairy products.

Whole Foods: Foods that have none or little processing or refinement, making them as natural as possible. Different from organic food.

Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt has a very high quantity of calcium and fat, giving it the ability to withstand high temperatures. Thus, it can be used for cooking. Yogurt is made through bacterial fermentation as well, and this is the kind that has seen the greatest boom in popularity, in recent years.