Does kombucha have alcohol? It’s a common question among peopleadm fermented?
Kombucha is a fermented tea that comes from a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, called a SCOBY. It's said to have originated in China in 221 BC, and the Japanese call it "The Tea of Immortality," which may be exaggerating, but still on the right track, thanks to kombucha’s many health benefits.
Kombucha is not traditionally considered alcoholic, but it can contain trace amounts of alcohol. However, many people are concerned about the alcohol content in kombucha.
By definition, any beverage that contains ethanol would technically be alcoholic. Many brands of kombucha contain less than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). To consume an amount of alcohol equivalent to that found in one beer, it is necessary to drink 10 to 12 bottles of kombucha. This is a consideration when determining how often you should drink kombucha.
In this article, we'll let you know everything you need to know about kombucha alcohol content, what's in kombucha, and if you can get drunk from it.
A Little Bit of Alcohol is Expected in Kombucha:
Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that contains trace amounts of alcohol. The amount of alcohol present in kombucha varies based on the type of tea used and the length of time the fermentation process takes. In general, kombucha typically has between0.5 and 1.0% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Before we jump to the main discussion of kombucha and alcohol, let's first lay down the groundwork with a better understanding of the kombucha process:
- The tea is brewed with sugar, and the sugar ferments into alcohol.
- OurKombucha SCOBY makes it super easy to brew your own kombucha at home.
- You can make kombucha anytime by following ahomemade kombucha recipe. There isn’t a specific kombucha season or anything like that.
- Kombucha can be flavored with fruit juices, herbs, and other ingredients.
The Health Benefits of Homemade Kombucha:
There are many health benefits of kombucha tea:
Its high concentration of probiotics is what gives this beverage its health benefits. The bacteria and yeast in kombucha are known to strengthen the healthy bacteria in our digestive system and promote digestion. Kombucha helps improve nutrient absorption and prevent ulcers. Drinking a glass of kombucha after a meal can help you digest those heavy fats or proteins!
It's full of probiotics, which are "good" bacteria that help the body fight off other harmful bacteria.
Kombucha also has an immune-boosting effect, which means it can help boost your body's ability to fight off infections and other illnesses.
With homemade kombucha, you have complete control over the type of tea used, the amount of sugar added, and the type and quantity of fruit used in making your brew. Homemade kombucha is free from the preservatives, colorings, and artificial sweeteners in many commercial brands.
Kids, Kombucha, and Alcohol
Kombucha is also a perfectly appropriate drink for kids. The bacteria and yeast feast on sugars in the tea, producing probiotics and antioxidants. Many parents worry that because kombucha has alcohol, it is off-limits for kids, but in reality, the amount of alcohol in kombucha is so small it's almost undetectable.
Kombucha is a great beverage for kids. It's full of probiotics that support healthy digestion, which is especially important for kids who are still developing.
What about the alcohol content? Kombucha’s alcohol content is around 0.5%, which means that while there may be some alcohol in a glass of kombucha, it's unlikely to have much effect on your kids. However, if you’re still concerned about it,you can always water down their kombucha with a little water, fruit juice, or even ice!
Just make sure you're using a safe home-brewed batch, meaning it was brewed in sanitary conditions, using safe equipment and clean hands; and as long as your child is healthy and their immune system is strong, they should be fine drinking kombucha.
Kombucha Vs. Water Kefir:
Kombucha and kefir are both fermented beverages, but they're made in different ways. Kombucha is brewed from green or black tea, sugar, and a "SCOBY" (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). It's also sometimes referred to as a "mushroom" because it kinda looks like one.
Water kefir is made from sugar water and is similar to kombucha, but the fermentation process is different since kefir grains are a different mix of organisms that do not feed on tea leaves.
Both have probiotic benefits—they're filled with good bacteria that help improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the body. But there are some differences between them.
For instance, kombucha has more antioxidants than kefir does, because it's brewed from tea leaves, rather than just sugar water.
Kefir has more sugar than kombucha, so if you're watching your sugar intake, you might want to go with kombucha instead, since it has less sugar. But this also makes kombucha a little more tart than most water kefir.
To better understand the differences between kombucha and water kefir, read our article “Water Kefir Vs. Kombucha.”
In a nutshell, both kefir and kombucha contain bacteria that can aid digestion, but each beverage has different strains of bacteria and varying amounts of enzymes and acids. Both are great for hydrating and imparting a probiotic, health-boosting factor to the body.
Takeaway: Is Kombucha Alcoholic?
The fermentation process does create alcohol, but the alcohol content is too low to consider kombucha an alcoholic beverage. Kombucha and alcohol are both fermented products, but this is where their similarities end. Kombucha contains just 0.5 to 1.0% alcohol, while an average beer has anywhere from 5%-15% alcohol content.
Kombucha is generally safe for anyone to drink. You can make your own kombucha drink at home with akombucha kit.
