Product Review - Kombucha Wonder Drink...

So by now you should be well aware of my love for Kombucha. I’ve previously shared my thoughts and feelings on brands such as GT's, Mmm... Tea, Kevita, and REEDS, and today I wanted to tell you about another brand of kombucha I discovered back in May in Vancouver. It’s called Kombucha Wonder Drink - and boasts all the amazing health benefits of every other Kombucha brand I’ve tried and reviewed. KWD is founded by Steve Lee, who also happens to be the co-founder of the popular tea brands STASH and Tazo. Apparently he got really into kombucha on a trip he took to Russia in the 1990's, brought back some recipes and started messing around with home-brewing. Some of his friends - like microbrewery experts and microbiologists - got into the game and thus Kombucha Wonder Drink was born.

As far as I can tell - from my own trips to health food stores - KWD isn’t big yet, not in the was GT’s and Kevita are, but I’m sure it’ll get there. In Vancouver I first found KWD being sold in a small produce market, and then a few other health food stores around town. Here in Chicago the only place I’ve seen it for sale is The World Market, but it’s only popped up there within the past month. Since I didn’t know too much about it when I first discovered it I decided to Google it and read some reviews. Most of them unanimously say that the flavor is great, that seems to be the focus. People love the taste, and I can see why. KWD is relatively sweet, and doesn’t have that tart vinegary, mouth-pucker taste that some of GT’s or even some Kevita flavors have. KWD comes in eight really interesting flavors, it’s relatively low in calories at 50 calories a serving, and it’s organic.

Of their eight flavors my favorite are Asian Pear and Ginger, Niagra Grape, Green Tea and Lemon, and Cherry Cassis. The Traditional Flavor, Essence of Peach, and Essence of Mango are also pretty decent, but I’m less fond of the plain Essence of Lemon and the Essence of Juniper Berry, Spearmint and Lemon Myrtle. Of the flavors that I like the most I can’t deny that they are indeed very tasty, I can knock that stuff back with no problem and want more. However, the one major drawback for me is that Kombucha Wonder Drink is not raw. That’s right, KWD is pasturized. The other major drawback for me is that 12g of sugar per serving. That’s a bit too much sugar for me and I prefer the low-sugar of GT’s.

Now I guess in the Kombucha community there is some debate over what’s better, raw or pasturized. The people who prefer it raw claim that the living culture is what is providing the most benefit, the nutrients are left whole and intact, they are not degraded by the pasteurization process. They say it has to be raw to be healing and to provide energy. While on the opposite hand the people who are in favor of pasteurizing claim that the process helps to preserve the nutrients, as well as the flavor and make it both more stable and more safe. That’s certainly the explanation that KWD gives on their website for why they chose to pasteurize their drink. To retain flavor and keep Kombucha safe. I don’t know if I buy it though. I mean sure when you eat or drink anything that is raw and unpasteurized there is the risk that you could become ill, and I have heard horror stories of people home-brewing kombucha who have become sick. However I’ve never read an account of anyone drinking a bottle of say GT’s and getting violently ill. Surely there must be some sort of regulatory process that inspects raw products meant for commercial sale to ensure public safety? I don’t know.

Honestly I’m in the raw Kombucha camp all the way. I think it’s healthier, and more beneficial and while I do love the unique flavor of KWD, I don’t feel the same strong boost after drinking it that I do after drinking GT’s. I have to assume that’s because it’s pasturized, and possibly it’s also because of the sugar content. The sugars are quite high in the drink, and perhaps that makes me feel more sluggish then it does energized.

Bottom Line is that I like Kombucha Wonder Drink’s Flavor, and I’ll certainly drink it from time to time when I see it available, but it won’t be replacing GT’s as the constant in my refrigerator, and honestly I think it’s a little too much to ask to pay upwards of $3 a bottle for a pasturized Kombucha that may or may not be as nutritionally competent as it’s raw counterparts. As always, if you see it, try it for yourself, and let me know what you think. Where do you stand? Raw or Pasturized and why?

If you're interested in knowing more about Kombucha Wonder Drink you can check out their website.

Kombucha Wonder Drink

Product Review - REED'S: Culture Club Kombucha...

Okay, I’ve been wanting to share this with you guys for a couple of weeks now. Y’all know how much I like Kombucha right? I mean I drink a GT’s or Kevita everyday, well now there’s a new brand on the scene, and it’s quickly won my heart.

REED’S Culture Club Kombucha! Now, you may know REED’S inc as a Ginger Ale manufacturer. After all it’s what they’re most famous for. They specialize in making good quality, great tasting, natural ginger ale in a variety of unique flavors, that can be commonly found for sale in health food stores and whole foods around the country. Now I am not a pop drinker, I never cared for it all that much anyway, so I gave it up years ago because it’s so unhealthy. Seriously anything that can peel the paint off your car or rust a nail shouldn’t be going inside your body. I mean imagine what it’s doing to your gut! Still, even after giving up pop, I would on occasion allow myself a Ginger Ale, as a sort of treat. - and when I say occasional I really do mean occasional, I can’t even recall when the last time I had a ginger ale was. Six months? Seven? - Provided of course that the ale in question was natural, didn’t contain a heinous amount of sugar, and was brewed with real ginger. As a kid growing up I loved Canada Dry - who didn’t? - but after having ale brewed with copious amounts of real ginger I wouldn’t even dream of going back to my childhood ways. Their Jamaican style is really my favorite, it’s loaded with ginger, and spices that make your tongue tingle. So when I was in my local health food store a few weeks ago and saw that REED’S was now making Kombucha, well, you know I had to give it a try right?

According to REED’S website they use the finest Oolong and Yerba Mate teas along with a kombucha culture to create their delicious kombucha packed with beneficial enzymes, probiotics, and organic acids.  So far their Kombucha comes in four flavors and all of them have ginger in them. Would you expect anything less?

The four flavors are Goji Ginger, Hibiscus Ginger Grapefruit, Lemon Ginger Raspberry, and Cranberry Ginger. I love the unique flavors, and combinations, of these drinks. I’ve tried all four and I have to say they are all fantastic! Each flavor is so delicious you can hardly stop drinking. Another bonus is that each serving only has 2g of sugar which is comparable to most of GT’s Kombucha flavors. Also for the kombucha haters out there these drinks are significancy less vinegary then GT’s or other Kombucha’s that I’ve tried. The ginger flavor is strong though, so if you’re not a fan of ginger these might not be the Kombucha’s for you. They’re also Organic and Raw of course, as other Kombucha’s are.

Out of the four flavors my absolute favorite is the Hibiscus Ginger Grapefruit, it is hands down on of the best Kombucha’s I’ve ever drunk anywhere. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take a picture of it to show you guys because I drank it in the car before I even got home, it is that good!

So if you like Kombucha and you’re interested in trying something new check your local health food stores for REED’S, or you could go to their website for more information. Seriously though, if you see these at the store, pick one up! You won’t be sorry!

REED'S Inc
REED'S Culture Club Kombucha

Product Review - Mmm... Tea Raw Kombucha...

The other day when I posted about GT’s Kombucha I mentioned that a new brand of Kombucha was slowly winning my heart. Excluding GT’s and the Kombucha I drank while in Maui Mmm.. Tea’s Elderberry infused Kombucha is one of the best I’ve drunk.

This line of Kombucha just recently made it’s way to my local health food store and so far I’ve only seen four flavors. Original Black Tea, Original Green Tea, Elderberry Black Tea, and Elderberry Green Tea. Both versions of the Elderberry are amazingly delicious. The flavor is tart but sweet, yet not to sweet, and I find it has a much milder taste then the other kombucha I’ve tried including GT’s. Which is great for those weary of kombucha or those not accustomed to the taste. While it’s definitely tart, it’s less vinegary, and imparts less of a burning sensation when you drink it. I look forward to trying the original flavors.

Another cool thing about this Kombucha if you live in IL, and care about your carbon footprint - it’s local! The company is based in Buffalo Grove.  Like GT’s Mmm... Tea is also vegan, raw, free of preservatives and GMO’s. Low calorie, and low carb. Though it does contain organic ingrdients it’s not certified organic as a whole, it also contains cane sugar but not much. 6g per bottle.

While it has yet to surpass the awesomeness of GT’s in my eyes, it is very good and I quite enjoy it. I like to alternate between them drinking GT’s for a few days, and then drink a couple Mmm... Tea’s. I only wish Mmm.. Tea had a larger selection of flavors. Perhaps soon.

In addition to all the health claims about Kombucha that I mentioned in my post about GT’s. Kombucha is also said to support overall immunity, and promote a healthy metabolism meaning it can supposedly help you control your weight. Who doesn’t love that? Really, is there anything kombucha can’t do?

I’ve been drinking a kombucha a day for roughly two weeks now and I feel great, absolutely fantastic, and I should mention that since I typically drink it in the afternoon after a walk or some other form of exercise I find it does help stave off food cravings and hunger pains. Which is fantastic, when my stomach isn’t groaning and threatening to consume itself out of desparation I find I’m far more likely to take the time to make a healthful nourishing snack rather then just grab whatever’s lying around. So if weight control is something you’re struggling with you may want to consider drinking Kombucha regularly to see how you feel and how it works for you!

Product Review - GT’s Raw Organic Kombucha...

Kombucha, people either love it or hate it. I think it’s absolutely incredible! For those of you who’ve never had it, Kombucha is a health promoting living drink of fermented tea, and GT’s Kombucha is some of the best on the market. They have their classic line, their synergy line, and now they have synergy kombucha with chia seeds, which is very cool indeed. GT’s Kombucha is vegan, gluten-free, raw, organic, kosher, low-calorie, low-carbohydrates,, preservative and caffeine free, free of artificial flavors/colors, and low in sugar.

Kombucha has been drunk for years by many different cultures, and though it’s origins are a mystery to us - it’s story lost in the sands of time it would seem - it’s believed that it was originally developed in China sometime in the 200's BC. From there it’s said to have spread to other parts of Asia such as Japan and Korea, and to Russia from where it spread to other European countries like Poland, Germany, Denmark and so on. Called everything from ‘dangerous’ to ‘the cure for cancer’ people’s opinions and claims about kombucha are rather strong. However very little research has actually been done on this ‘elixir’ and so truthfully no one really knows what it’s long term health benefits may be - well not in any scientifically proven way at least. Kombucha has been said to be able to detoxify the body, and energize the mind. It’s been said to help prevent cancer, cure it and aid in the recovery from it. It’s been said to increase energy, reflexes, and sharpness. It’s said to improve eye sight and heal joint damage as well as improve skin elasticity, and aid in digestion. All this and more has been said about kombucha and while I couldn't say exactly what is fact and what is fiction I can at least tell you about my own experience with kombucha and how it makes me feel.

It definitely gives me energy, and I tend to drink it most when I’m staring to get tired at work or when I know I have a long and busy day ahead of me. After I drink a bottle I feel invincible, like I could run a marathon. I feel great, energetic, lighter, relaxed, enlightened. Regardless of what I’ve eaten that day or what I’m about to eat my digestion runs smoothly - which it doesn’t always - and my mind feels very clear. I also feel happier when I drink kombucha, and more at peace as though I’ve just meditated for a very long time. That’s how I personally feel after every bottle, and I love that feeling so I’m inclined to believe that scientific proof or not kombucha must certainly has some benefit, though like everything it may be dependant on the person. Since everything doesn’t always work for everyone.

Having said all of that, it must also be said that kombucha has a ‘taste.’ Some people find it horrible, unpleasant, undrinkable, tart, vinegary, pungent, potent and just down right awful, and I’ll admit that I used to be amongst the haters and naysayer’s. It was my friend T who first introduced me to the stuff nearly two years ago now. He drinks it like water. GT’s Synergy is his favorite, and after talking it up for weeks and weeks my curiosity got the best of me and I bought a bottle. I took one sip and hated it. I couldn’t finish the bottle I’d bought and ended up dumping it down the sink. T told me not to worry, that I’d be back, and when I asked him what he thought would ever posess me to buy another bottle when I thought it was so awful he just smiled and shrugged. "Trust me, you’ll be back. There will come a time when curiosity will get the better of you again and you’ll ask yourself, was that really as bad as I first thought? When that happens you’ll buy another bottle, you’ll take a sip and be hooked." He sounded like a wise old sage and if you knew T you would know there is nothing sage-like about him, and yet he was absolutely right. One night I found myself tired and thirsty staring into a massive display case of Kombucha. I stood there scrutinizing the bottles, reading each flavor carefully and wondering to myself "Is it really as bad as I remember?" In the end, after many minutes of curious contemplation I broke down and bought another bottle. I cracked it open, took a sip, squished my eyes shut at the pungent taste and took another sip. By the third sip I was hooked, and hooked for life I might add.

I guess the truth is that kombucha is a very powerful taste that most people are not accustomed too, but once you become accustomed to it, it’s delicious, and amazing. Plus you can’t beat the way it makes you feel afterwards, honestly I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it. So if you’ve never had kombucha I urge you to give it a try, although you might not like it at first drink the whole bottle you might just be surprised. For kombucha skeptics go on, drink a bottle, if you had it before and didn’t like it that second bottle might just be the one for you, as it was for me.

As for what kombucha to buy and where to buy it - it’s become something of a revolution. Once not so long ago it was the kind of thing you had to make yourself or buy in little out of the way health food stores, but now several companies make it and it’s begun showing up in national large chain groceries. Some brands of course are better then others and personally GT’s is my favorite so far - although a new brand just appeared in my local grocery that I’m very excited about and will talk about next week - For me GT’s has the best flavor, and the smoothest taste. I love their classic flavors like Multi-Green, and Gingerade. Their Classic Synergy Flavors like Trilogy, and Gingerberry. Their Enlightened flavors like Botanic Number 3, Botanic Number 7 and Botanic Number 9. Their Enlightened Synergy flavors like Cosmic Cranberry, Mystic Mango, Guava Goodness and Passionberry Bliss. I also really love their Chia flavors. My hands down favorites in this category are the Grape Chia, the Green Chia and the Black Chia, i'm less fond of the Raspberry Chia, and i'm simply not a fan of the Cherry Chia but then as much as i like Cherries i'm not a big fan of cherry flavored stuff..

So next time you’re out and about keep your eyes open, and if you see GT’s Kombucha pick up a bottle. It’s amazing stuff and really does make me feel invigorated, rejuvenated, enlightened, and refreshed! Love it or hate it just make sure you try it, or try it again!