What is Kombucha tea?

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink which is thought to have originated in China about 2,000 years ago. 

It is usually made of black or green tea. Being a fermented concoction, it is produced by the addition of a live bacteria and yeast colony (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast aka SCOBY) to a sweetened tea. 

Once its been added to the tea, the mixture is left to ferment for a few weeks until it turns into a slightly sweet, slightly tart beverage that’s then separated from the SCOBY and bottled.  

As a result of the fermentation, it does contain a teeny amount of naturally-occuring alcohol. It also contains caffeine, about one-third the amount of caffeine as a cup of black or green tea. 

In terms of its health benefits, proponents have claimed that drinking kombucha tea can prevent serious health conditions such as hypertension and cancer. However, it might be a mere exxageration as there has been no concrete evidence to proof it. 

It is perhaps more accurate to think of kombucha as having benefits similar to probiotic supplements. In this sense, it can promote a healthy immune system and prevent constipation. 

Thanks to the presence of the living bacteria which is said to be probiotic, the drink has acquired something of a golden reputation. It has become a highly popular drink that's now widely available on supermarket shelves and cafes. Some places even have kombucha on tap. 

One thing's for sure, kombucha tea is certainly a better beverage option than soda, juice, and other sugary drinks.