The North American kombucha market was at USD 648.7 million in 2020, but experts project it will reach USD 2,123.8 million by 2027. The global market size will reach USD 7.05 billion in the same year. Around the world, people are more in tune with their health. They prefer functional beverages or beverages that boast flavour and encourage positive health effects. Kombucha fills the role of a functional drink. What you may not know is that kombucha tea has a long history before its modern rise in popularity.
What Is Kombucha Tea?
Kombucha tea has simple ingredients. It is a fermented tea with sugar, yeast and bacteria. The tea is made by adding a colony of bacteria to the sugar and tea, allowing the mixture to ferment. When the fermenting is finished, the liquid contains various chemical compounds, including B vitamins. The process is similar to preserving cabbage for kimchi or turning milk into yoghurt.
The bacteria and acids create a film on top known as SCOBY or symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Fermenters can use the SCOBY to ferment more tea. As far as taste goes, kombucha tends to have a sweet-and-sour flavour. Due to the fermentation process, it is also fizzy.
Where Did Kombucha Tea Originate?
Kombucha dates back to China 2000 years ago. The famous reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang shows one of its first recorded uses. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was called the first emperor of a unified China, and as he grew older, he became increasingly more afraid of death. To achieve immortality, he called on an alchemist who gave him "the drink of immortality." We know that drink as kombucha tea.
Another legendary incident of the drink comes from 414 C.E. A Korean doctor, Kombu, visited the Japanese emperor Inyoko. The emperor suffered from a mystery illness, and it was said that the elixir would save his life. When it comes to the first uses of kombucha, samurai warriors were said to carry it in their hip flasks. They would drink it before entering battle.
How Did Kombucha Gain Popularity?
Throughout history, kombucha prized because of its healing properties. In the U.S., it began to gain popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, people hoped that the tea could increase T-cell counts and support patients' compromised immune systems. However, it fell out of popularity around 1995 only to boost again in the early 21st century.
Nowadays, people have become more health-conscious. People in Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. are more aware of prebiotics and the health benefits of consuming fermented foods. As the awareness rose, home-brewing kits and commercial brews became more readily available. Nowadays, you can find kombucha in your local market. Some social media groups cater to enthusiasts and those who brew their tea.
The Taste of Kombucha Tea
Before trying kombucha for the first time, many people are wary. If you try it under the assumption it tastes like juice, then you'll either be surprised or disappointed. It tastes nothing like juice. While there is a vinegary taste to most kombucha brews, you know how varying the flavours can be if you're an enthusiast. They can add just about any flavour you could dream of into kombucha. Some flavours are light and sweet, whereas others have a more spicy and vinegary taste.
The Benefits of Kombucha Tea
Those who love kombucha have a lot to say about the health benefits. From fighting bloating to weight loss and lowering cholesterol, you'll likely hear a lot of support for kombucha tea.
Source of Antioxidants
Free radicals cause oxidative damage to your body. Antioxidants, however, can help protect you from said damage. Free radicals are ordinary. They are a byproduct of different processes within the body. To minimize their impact, you should drink and eat foods rich in antioxidants. Tea — green tea especially — contains antioxidants.
Source of Probiotics
When you eat fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut and yoghurt, you consume live microorganisms. The process of making kombucha also produces these microorganisms. When you consume probiotics, you improve your gut health and digestion because you balance the bacteria levels in your stomach.
Source of Anti-Fungals
As a byproduct of fermentation, kombucha contains acetic acid. Along with compounds in black or green tea, the drink may suppress the growth of yeast and other types of bacteria. While it suppresses bad bacteria, it promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Source of Vitamins and Minerals
Kombucha contains vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, B1, B6 and B12. The vitamins are produced when the yeast breaks down the sugar. Depending on your kombucha, you may have different amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Source of Cholesterol Management
There are polyphenols in tea, mainly green tea, to help protect your heart and reduce your cholesterol. You can drink kombucha when on a heart-healthy diet. It may be able to reduce your risk of heart disease.
Source of Weight Loss Help
If you drink a lot of fruit juice or other high-calorie drinks, kombucha is a low-calorie option. The fizzy quality is a satisfying alternative to soda, and the flavour replaces other beverages you may indulge in. Many kombucha drinkers claim to lose their fatigue and to have more energy. Forget the coffee with sugary creamers or energy drinks. Kombucha gives you the energy necessary to perform daily tasks and work out.
Bring Kombucha Tea Into Your Life
Why not let kombucha tea have an impact on your life? The drink has a long history of healing ailments and helping people feel better about themselves. Trade in fruit juices and soda and replace them with fermented tea to create a better version of yourself.
At Superfoods Company, we are dedicated to pioneering healthy foods worldwide. One of our most significant breakthroughs is an instant kombucha powder that allows you to prepare tea in the comfort of your home. Contact us today with any questions and to find out more about how our tea can benefit you.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/kombucha
https://www.tastingtable.com/691977/kombucha-brands-probiotic-health-ade-gts-kevita/