Where To Buy Kombucha? Every Store Detailed

Kombucha is more than just a healthy source of live probiotics; the drink is also rich in antioxidants and energy-boosting caffeine that gets infused to the final brew after the tea leaves steeping process. 

However, home-brewed kombucha takes on average 7 to 14 days to fully ferment. This time constraint can only be bypassed by buying bottled kombucha. So, which kombucha brand or type should you go for? Where should you buy it? To answer these questions, we first have to look into some considerations before purchasing kombucha.

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• Considerations Before Buying Kombucha

• Top 10 USA Kombucha Brands and Where To Buy

• Types Of Kombucha and Where To Buy

• Where To Buy Kombucha In Bulk

• 5 Common Place Where You Will Find Kombucha To Buy

• FAQs

Considerations Before Buying Kombucha

Raw vs. Pasteurized 

There are two primary kombucha varieties: pasteurized and raw/unpasteurized kombucha. The difference being that raw/unpasteurized kombucha has not undergone any heat treatment. 

As a result, unpasteurized kombucha still contains natural amounts of probiotics. The bacteria and yeast culture in raw kombucha are still alive, and this can pose some problems, especially to anyone with weakened immune systems such as pregnant women, immunosuppressant patients as well as AIDS patients. On the other hand, this natural culture is what makes kombucha beneficial to the digestive system as it helps in restoring the natural balance in the gut bio.

Pasteurized kombucha refers to any kombucha brew which has undergone heat treatment before bottling for preservation purposes. While most companies that pasteurize their kombucha also do add probiotics afterward, the brew is never the same as raw kombucha. This is because it lacks the natural balance of bacteria and yeast culture, and as a result, it offers no probiotic benefits at all.  

Flavor

While kombucha only relies on sugar and tea leaves as the primary ingredients during the first ferment, it's still possible to infuse the drink with secondary flavors. 

This takes place during the second ferment whereby a flavoring ingredient gets infused with the unpasteurized kombucha in an anaerobic fermentation process that generally takes 3 to 5 days. While this process usually results in additional sugar content in the final brew, it also makes the drink more effervescent.

Most kombucha bottling firms offer a wide range of flavors and kombucha blends. Make sure you pick the flavors that you are most comfortable with, alternatively you can blend the flavored kombucha to come up with unique combinations with unique taste notes.

Price

Kombucha prices range from affordable to absurd depending on the type of flavor and primary ingredients used as well as other marketing gimmicks. It's therefore essential to note that when it comes to raw kombucha, most expensive doesn't necessarily translate to the best quality. Instead, go through customer reviews and determine the best price point for the type of brew you want.

Sugar Content

While kombucha does require sugar as a primary ingredient, the majority of the sugar content does get broken down by the yeast culture during fermentation to form alcohol and carbon dioxide. However, during the second ferment, more sugar gets added to increase the carbon dioxide content, which makes the drink fizzier. 

If you are planning on cutting down your sugar intake, then it's recommendable to avoid flavored kombucha varieties and to instead go for unpasteurized brands with less than 5g of sugar per serving.

Alcohol Content

Kombucha gets its alcohol content from the breakdown of sugar by the yeast culture; this results in around 0.5 to 1.5% alcohol content in raw/unpasteurized kombucha. Typically, the alcohol produced by the yeast culture is usually much higher. Still, most of it gets broken down to acetic acid by the alcohol fixing bacteria culture in the brew. 

After bottling, the alcohol content may increase substantially by up to 1% extra with hard kombucha having a much higher alcohol content of around 5%.

Caffeine Content

Kombucha that's been prepared using Camellia Sinensis tea leaves contains caffeine content of up to 15 mg per 16 oz serving. The caffeine molecules get infused into the freshly brewed tea during the steeping process. 

During the fermentation stage, the culture feeds on most of the caffeine leaving around 20% of the original content. While caffeine has its benefits when it comes to staying alert and increasing metabolism, it can have adverse effects, especially on caffeine-sensitive people and children, leading to insomnia. 

You can always opt for kombucha that's been brewed using decaffeinated tea leaves or with other caffeine-free alternatives such as rooibos tea.

Probiotic Content

Various brands contain varying amounts of probiotic content, depending on the brewing and bottling process. 

The best option is to always stick to natural amounts of probiotic content, so avoid brands that contain enriched and added probiotic content. These are almost always pasteurized kombucha brews that don't offer any actual probiotic benefits as the added cultures can never be in symbiotic balance.

Top 10 USA Kombucha Brands and Where To Buy

Types Of Kombucha and Where To Buy

Cheapest

Best Tasting

Raw Kombucha

Small Batch Kombucha

Commercial Brands

Where To Buy Kombucha In Bulk

Costco

Costco offers more than just single bottle kombucha; the stores do also stock up on cases of kombucha. This makes it much easier to purchase kombucha in bulk, but you will have to check in with the nearest branch to see if they are currently stocking up on kombucha and the specific varieties that are in stock.

Kombucha On Tap

Most kombucha on tap establishments will always have bulk kombucha either in cases or kombucha kegs. These vary in size and style, so you will have to look around to identify the best fit for your specific needs.

Walmart

Walmart does stock up on just about any other kombucha brand. The chain stores also occasionally offer kombucha in bulk, either in cases or custom keg containers.

5 Common Place Where You Will Find Kombucha To Buy

Amazon

Amazon has the most extensive collection of brands on sale. These range in terms of flavors, volume, and price. A quick search on the site reveals hundreds of kombucha products on sale, and the prices offered are often much more affordable compared to physical stores. You can also buy in bulk, and the kombucha will be shipped in no time. However, you will have to be careful with international brands, which might not be subject to the stringent FDA guidelines that local brewers have to abide by.

Local Cafes

With the increased popularity, it's now common to find raw and flavored kombucha in most cafes. Some of these cafes even offer kombucha on tap, allowing them to buy the brew in bulk kegs and sell small servings on the go. Other cafes have adopted the homebrewing culture whereby they will brew the kombucha inhouse and add the most on-demand flavors.

Direct From The Site

Most kombucha brewing companies operate their websites with online stores. This makes it much easier to obtain just the right kind of drink as per your needs. While these online stores might take a bit longer to ship compared to Amazon, they do offer bulk purchases. Also, be on the lookout for promotions, which are more common on individual brewer sites.

Grocery Stores

Bottled kombucha can be found in most grocery stores, especially chain stores that are focused on healthy living. This eliminates having to wait for an online purchase to get shipped. Alternatively, you can ask your favorite grocery store to start stocking up on kombucha.

Restaurants

Most restaurants stock up on bottled kombucha with a few offering in-house brewed kombucha. This makes it much easier to enjoy your favorite brew without the hassle of having to find a store or buying online. Restaurants also generally serve single servings, which are much cheaper than having to buy an entire bottle of kombucha.

FAQs

Which kombucha is the best to buy?

Raw, unflavored kombucha is the best kombucha variety to buy due to its natural probiotic balance and low sugar content.

Can you buy kombucha online?

Yes, most online stores such as Amazon and individual brewer sites do offer online kombucha sales, which will be delivered right to your door without having to leave the house.

Can you buy kombucha if you're under 21?

No, most brands are non-alcoholic, but you will require to be over 21 years to purchase and consume hard kombucha.

How much kombucha should I drink daily?

FDA recommends limiting your kombucha intake to 4 oz per serving three times a day for a total of 12 oz daily.

Can kombucha kill you?

Kombucha is prone to toxicity and contamination if not brewed under the right conditions, and this can lead to fatal cases of poisoning and infection.

Interested in learning more about kombucha? 
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