Kombucha was an important part of nutrition, throughout historical Asia, although the exact origins are not known.

The drink is made by fermenting sugared tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) commonly called a “mother” or “mushroom.”

The probiotic enzymes, polyphenols and bacteria in the best kombucha ‘s are thought to help aid digestion and spark a dynamic activity in the gut microbiome. The finished product is also rich in B vitamins and vitamin C.

European sour kraut creates a similar effect and is reminiscent of kombucha’s digestive role. The difference is fermented food topping v.s. sparkling drink.

Of course the amount of probiotic activity depends on the particular culture and concoction. As we learn from the benefits of the cultured classic, we can utilize medicinal plants in a diversity to create more probiotic agents.

Numerous popular media features in the United States have highlighted the beverage and its uses, including The New York Times and Miami Herald, suggesting that kombucha consumption can reduce blood pressure, relieve arthritis, increase the immune response, and cure cancer [1,2]. [6]

Kombucha continues to be a hot study item [3].

The drink is incredibly popular and is estimated to be a 400 million dollar marketplace [4].

Let’s get a good look at the best kombucha stuff.

KOMBUCHA RANKING

1. Make your own.

I am always going to advocate growing and doing on your own, this way you have a constant supply and you know how it is done. If your doing it for yourself and your loved ones, do it yourself. This cheap and simple kit can get you off to doing your own stuff.

2. Make your own.

This culture is cheaper, and it is just the culture not a full kit. You might want to go ahead and get this culture along with another.

Rated 5 star at over 300 customer reviews.

3. Tealixir

These guys have done quite the job, on this product and 12 packs are ready to ship to your refrigerator wherever you are. They use several herbs in these ready to cool teas, that are great on the run refreshments.

Over 200 happy customer reviews.

4. KOE

These guys bring great flavors in their organic drinks, that are well liked from previous orders.

5. Wildcrafting Brewer – book

The starting place for some kombucha fans may be in more reading.  This is a fabulous book with incredible photography from a well versed expert, and I recommend this book no matter where you are in your fermented fun journey.

6. Fermentaholics Classic SKOBY

Over 500 happy customers from this affordable SCOBY provider.

7. Big Bottle

Amazon’s Choice complete with ice bucket, well reviewed by over 100 customers. 1.5 gallon.

8. Big Jug

Here is a large glass container that allows a flavor of best kombucha to be brewed and drank from periodically. 1 gallon.

9. bottles

Over 1k happy people using these resealable bottles.

10. bottles

Over 1200 positive reviews for this affordable glassware set for the best kombucha.

11. Wonder Drink

Over 200 happy customers have enjoyed this 24 pack, said to be at the top of the market place.

KOMBUCHA BENEFITS

Kombucha proved to exert antimicrobial activities against E. coli, Sh. sonnei, Sal. typhimurium, Sal. enteritidis, and Cm. jejuni, even at neutral pH. This finding suggests antimicrobial compounds other than acetic acid and large proteins exist in Kombucha.  [5]

Kombucha has been evaluated heavily for antioxidant properties and anti cancer possibilities. [6] In vitro studies have warranted further scientific investigation into the said miracle solution. [7] Kombucha proves to be a antibacterial agent as well, heavy in glucuronic acid production. [8] The healing liquid has emerged as a liver protection substance through scientific studies. [9] Bacterial colonies from the elixir combated severe liver disease in rats. [10]

Yeast based ferments are perfect for increased biodiversity. [11] Test culture strains, firmly established the O. oeni population structure formation and made obvious the ability to expand on the biodiversity of this bacterial colony. This is also indicative of  heavy strengthening to both digestive function and overall gut health. [12] Who would have called it…  turns out studies utilizing the inclusions of additional medicinal herbs were able to raise the antimicrobial and anti-oxidative properties. [13]

The curative culture is easily-propagated, non-toxic, and inexpensive, making it an excellent system for scientific inquiry and citizen science. [14] The process has also been deemed by scientific study to be a perfect intro to living cultures for novice chemistry students. [15]

KOMBUCHA SIDE EFFECTS

Kombucha has 0.05% alcohol due to the fermentation process. It would take a lot of kombucha to give a person any adverse effects. That being as with all things, too much is never too good.

Kombucha has had toxicity reports, two in fact to disease control centers in 1995. It has been stated that it could be wise for pregnant women to abstain from the consumption of the reported health elixir [6]. Studies have concluded also that these concoctions are mostly safe. [16]

The formula is complex and still not fully understood [10].

KOMBUCHA EXPERIENCE

I worked with kombucha making a brief time out of the Wildcraft Brewer book, I recommended above, which can guide through a whole assortment of drink making and really enjoyed putting together new stuff with it.

Once you have the SCOBY the rest does itself, my biggest advise would be to use large glass containers for the fermentation. Its easy to find good suitable options whereas you can take a few glasses a week, replenish and keep it going.