This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oklahoma chapter.
Image by Dan Root for Brew Dr Kombucha
Kombucha has hit the mass market in the last year at stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts and even some convenience stores. This health drink has been around since 220 BCE and has been utilized for health benefits.
Kombucha sales are up more than twelve times what they were three years ago, before the tip of the craze. Before Kombucha went to the mass market, the niche market drink was often sold at farmers markets and small health food stores.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been around for thousands of years.
2. It is rich in beneficial probiotics and antioxidants that can help your health and could fight several diseases.
3. Some people add fruit, sugar or extracts for additional flavors.
4. It is made from sugar and oolong, green, black or white teas.
5. It originated in either China or Japan. Both cultures have utilized the drink for thousands of years.
6. Kombucha made from green tea may offer the same benefits as green tea such as weight loss and blood sugar control.
7. Kombucha has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease.
8. Kombucha is packed with B vitamins and other antioxidants.
9. It is typically fermented from 1 to 3 weeks, depending upon the recipe and producer.
10. Typically stored in glass bottles that have 2 servings at 16 ounces for each bottle.
11. Many brands are taking after Kombucha and including more nutritional benefits to their drinks like adding fiber rich options.
12. You can make it yourself, but beware of contamination of other bacteria in the fermentation process.
