What Does Kombucha Taste Like
Kombucha is a fizzy fermented tea drink that’s full of tangy, acidic and sweet flavours. It’s often balanced out with a variety of fruit, herbal or botanical flavourings.
Its unique taste is a result of many factors, such as the length of fermentation and brewing conditions. It can taste light like a flavored sparkling water or strong and vinegary, depending on the ingredients used.
The Taste
The first taste of kombucha can be a little bit jarring, especially for those who have grown used to drinking sugary sodas and juices. But, with a few sips, most people find it to be refreshing and enjoyable.
The unique flavor of kombucha comes from how the bacteria and yeast culture “eats” the sugar in sweet tea, fermenting it into acidity and carbonation (plus a little bit of alcohol if the brew is made at home with a stronger SCOBY). Depending on the brewing method, kombucha can range from mouth-puckeringly sour to mildly tart.
Many kombuchas are also slightly vinegary, due to the acetic acid produced during the fermentation process. But this isn’t a sign that the drink has gone bad or is inedible—it simply means that the healthy probiotics are doing their job! The tangy taste can be balanced with sweet fruits or soft botanicals to create complex and dynamic beverages.
The Smell
It’s a little vinegary, thanks to the acetic acid that results from the fermentation process. But this tang is usually mellowed out by a mixture of sweet fruits and soft botanicals.
The choice of tea is also a huge factor in the taste. Black tea kombucha has a bolder flavour, while green and oolong teas are milder.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that contains small amounts of sugar and alcohol (though you’d need to drink quite a bit to get even remotely buzzed). It’s often low in both and free from gluten, so it’s safe for most people to consume.
The brew can have a yeasty, musty scent that some find offputting. But that’s perfectly normal and is a sign everything is going well. In fact, research in rats suggests that kombucha may improve two markers for heart disease. So drink up! But remember to consult your GP if you have a compromised immune system or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Look
The appearance of kombucha depends on the tea variety used and the fermentation time. Black tea kombuchas have a bolder flavour, while green and oolong teas lend themselves to more delicate tasting brews.
The vinegar-like taste of kombucha is created by the acetic acid that is produced during the fermentation process. Despite this, the overall taste isn’t overwhelming.
Kombucha can also contain various flavourings, including fruits and herbs. You can find a wide selection of fun kombucha flavours at most supermarkets (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s), health food stores and even the corner deli.
Kombucha can be a tasty addition to your diet. It is said to help digestion, rid your body of toxins and boost energy levels. It has also been claimed to help you lose weight, improve your immune system and ward off high blood pressure and heart disease. However, there is little scientific evidence of these claims. It’s recommended that you drink kombucha in moderation.
The Feel
It’s hard to put into words the complex nature of kombucha. When done well, it’s a fizzy fermented tea that tastes like a mix of different flavours.
Kombucha has a yeasty flavour (it does contain a small amount of alcohol) that’s similar to wine or beer. It also has a vinegar taste — this is due to the acetic acid that forms during fermentation.
The end result is a drink that’s often sour and slightly tart, but can have a range of flavours and nuances. Depending on the ingredients used and the process, it can be fruity, floral, spicy, or herbaceous.
The most important thing to remember when drinking kombucha is that it’s not something to drink in place of meals. It’s a beverage that can fit into a healthy diet, but it’s all about how it fits into your overall meal plan and whether or not you feel good after it.
Kanes Draft Service is here for all your kombucha on tap installation, repair and maintenance needs. Give us a call!
