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That first sip of kombucha—tangy, fizzy, and refreshing—can be a wake-up call for your taste buds. If you’ve also fallen for its unique flavour and the promise of a happier gut, you might wonder: Are there other fermented drinks like kombucha out there? You’re in luck!
The world of fermented beverages is vast and exciting, offering many delicious options. While kombucha might be the most popular of these, it's time to venture beyond and discover new bottles. From the soothing tones of Jun tea to the sweet notes of water kefir, this blog will introduce you to a delectable range of fermented drinks similar to kombucha. Buckle up to find your new favourite drink that ticks all the right boxes!
What is a fermented drink?
A fermented drink is a beverage produced through the action of microorganisms—bacteria, yeast, or fungi—on a food or beverage. Think of it as a tiny, bustling community of microscopic helpers transforming the original ingredients into something entirely new.
This transformation occurs due to fermentation. It's a natural process in which microorganisms consume sugars and other compounds in the base ingredient, producing various byproducts, such as organic acids, gases (which contribute to bubbles), and alcohol (in certain cases). These byproducts give fermented drinks their unique and often complex flavours. The fermentation process also introduces numerous beneficial compounds, including probiotics, which have a range of health benefits.
Fermentation is an ancient practice. Humans have been fermenting foods and drinks for millennia, dating back to the earliest civilizations. From kombucha in ancient China to kefir in the Caucasus Mountains, fermentation has been deeply intertwined with cultural traditions around the globe and has played a vital role in food preservation.
Now that you've brushed up on fermentation history, let's see the perks that keep people sipping!
Benefits of fermented drinks
You might think fermentation is about creating that delightful fizz or giving a tangy kick to your beverage. But a whole world of benefits is hiding behind that bubbly surface, many of which you might not even be aware of. Fermented drinks are nutritional powerhouses packed with goodness for your body. Let's look at the surprising perks of these ancient beverages:
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Preservation: Long before refrigeration, fermentation was crucial for preserving food and drinks. By creating an environment inhospitable to harmful bacteria, fermentation helped keep food fresh for longer periods.
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Probiotic qualities: Fermented drinks are renowned for their rich probiotic content. These live and beneficial bacteria support a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.
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Easier digestion: Fermentation can make some foods easier to digest. The microorganisms break down complex compounds like lactose (in dairy) or gluten (in grains), making them less likely to cause digestive discomfort for sensitive individuals.
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Improved bioavailability of nutrients: Fermentation improves the bioavailability of nutrients. It breaks down food substances, allowing the body to absorb nutrients more efficiently. This can enhance the nutritional value of the food or drink.
Watch the video below to get more clarity on how fermented foods and beverages benefit your health.
Curious about the drink that sparked this whole craze? Let's take a closer look at kombucha itself.
Kombucha: The OG of fermented drinks
Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage made by culturing sweet black tea with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). This process has been around for over 2,000 years, with its origins tracing back to the Far East.
When the SCOBY is added to the tea, it triggers fermentation by converting sugars into various compounds that contribute to kombucha's characteristic taste and purported health benefits.
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Health benefits: Kombucha contains probiotics, those friendly bacteria that support a healthy gut. It also boasts antioxidants from the tea, which can help protect your cells from damage and reduce inflammation associated with chronic diseases. With its abundance of B vitamins and organic acids, kombucha is also touted for its detoxifying properties.
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Distinct flavour: Beyond the health perks, kombucha simply tastes good! Its characteristic tartness, balanced with a touch of sweetness and refreshing fizziness, makes it a delicious and satisfying alternative to sugary drinks. Its complex flavour evolves in the mouth, making you come back for more.
If kombucha's your jam, wait till you meet these other fabulous fermented friends!
Fermented drinks similar to kombucha
When you think of probiotic-rich fermented drinks, kombucha probably comes to mind. While kombucha is a fantastic choice, it's just the tip of the iceberg! More delicious and gut-friendly fermented beverages are waiting to be discovered. Let's explore beyond your beloved kombucha and celebrate the joy of fermented goodness!
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Jun tea
Jun tea is often compared to kombucha, but its distinct characteristics make it a unique and delightful drink. Dubbed the 'champagne of kombucha,' Jun tea is a delicate and effervescent fermented tea beverage originating from Tibet.
Jun tea brews with honey and green tea instead of cane sugar and black tea, making it softer and less sour than traditional kombucha. The fermentation process involves a Jun SCOBY, specifically adapted to thrive on honey's unique sugars. This alternative method produces a beverage rich in probiotics and antioxidants, offering potential health benefits.
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Flavour: Jun tea boasts a lighter, more delicate, and slightly sweeter flavour profile than kombucha. Many describe it as having a more floral or effervescent quality, making it a refreshing alternative.
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Alcohol content: Jun tea has a slightly higher alcohol content than kombucha (up to 2% compared to 0.5% in commercial kombucha).
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Serving suggestion: For the best experience, enjoy Jun tea chilled on its own. Its lighter flavour pairs well with lighter meals and can even be used as a cocktail mixer.
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Water kefir
Hailing from Mexico, water kefir, or tibicos, is another fantastic fermented beverage, offering a lighter and sweeter alternative to kombucha. It's incredibly versatile and easy to customise, making it a great choice for those new to the world of fermented drinks.
Water kefir is crafted by fermenting sugar water with water kefir grains (not actual grains, but a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). It is often infused with fruits or herbs, adding another layer of flavour.
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Fermentation duration: It takes about 24-48 hours to ferment, which is quicker than kombucha fermentation (typically lasts between 7-21 days).
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Caffeine sensitivity: Water kefir can be a good option for those who are sensitive to the caffeine found in tea-based kombucha.
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Serving suggestion: You can enjoy water kefir as it is, flavour it with fruit juice and herbs, or use it as a base for smoothies, adding a probiotic boost to your blended creations!
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Rejuvelac
Rejuvelac is a unique fermented beverage made from grains, such as wheat, oat, barley, or rye, offering a different flavour profile than kombucha and water kefir. Its roots trace back to the Middle East. Though it's a less widely known drink, it is appreciated for its digestive enzymes and probiotic benefits. Rejuvelac is made by soaking grains in water and then allowing them to ferment.
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Flavour: It has a distinct flavour, often described as slightly tangy and nutty. It's not as sweet or fizzy as kombucha but offers a subtle and refreshing taste.
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Serving suggestion: Rejuvelac is best served cold. It can also be added to smoothies, salads, or broths for a nutritional boost or used as a starter culture for other fermented foods.
The versatility of Rejuvelac makes it a favourite among health-conscious consumers looking for novel drinks.
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Tepache
Tepache is a refreshing and flavourful fermented drink hailing from Mexico. It's a delicious way to use pineapple rinds that would otherwise go to waste, showcasing the ingenuity of traditional fermentation practices.
Fermented from pineapple rinds, brown sugar, and cinnamon, Tepache has a burst of bold, exotic tastes that can rival ginger beer. Beyond probiotic benefits, this drink contains bromelain from the pineapple, which may have anti-inflammatory properties.
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Flavour: Tepache offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavours. The pineapple provides a tropical sweetness, while the fermentation process adds a tangy depth, and the cinnamon contributes a warm, spicy note.
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Serving suggestions: Tepache is best enjoyed chilled, often with a squeeze of lime to enhance its refreshing qualities.
Tepache is a fantastic alternative to sugary drinks and a delicious way to experience a taste of Mexican tradition.
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Kvass
Kvass is a traditional Slavic beverage with a rich history and a distinctive flavour profile. It's a refreshing and nourishing drink that's deeply rooted in Eastern European cultures. It is made by soaking rye bread in water and letting it ferment, creating a drink rich in probiotics and B vitamins.
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Flavour: Kvass is characterised by its earthy, slightly sour flavour. It carries a unique, bread-like taste, a testament to its primary ingredient.
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Variation of kvass: Beet kvass, a popular variation, adds an earthy sweetness and vibrant colour, along with the added antioxidants from beets.
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Serving suggestion: Kvass is perfect for a hot day or as an accompaniment to a meal. Enjoy it chilled for a robust, hearty taste that connects you to Eastern European traditions.
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Boza
Boza is a unique and nourishing fermented grain beverage popular in Turkey. It is made by cooking grains (typically millet or barley) and fermenting them, resulting in a drink packed with probiotics and nutrients from the grains.
It's thick and creamy (therefore, also called a fermented milkshake) and is considered a winter drink because of its warmth and nourishment to the body.
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Flavour: Boza offers a delightful balance of sweet and slightly sour flavours. It's a richer, more substantial drink than many other fermented beverages.
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Serving suggestion: Boza is best enjoyed chilled, often as a snack or dessert. Its creamy texture and sweet-sour taste make it a satisfying and culturally unique treat.
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Toddy
Toddy is a fermented beverage made from the sap of various palm trees. It's a traditional drink found in many tropical regions around the world, offering a taste of local culture and traditions. The sap is collected and then fermented, resulting in a drink that varies significantly in flavour and alcohol content depending on the region and the specific fermentation process used.
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Flavour: The flavour of toddy can range from sweet and mild to more tart and alcoholic. The specific type of palm sap used and the length of fermentation play a significant role in the final taste.
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Regional variations: Toddy goes by many names, including palm wine and tuba, and each region has its unique way of preparing and enjoying it. These variations often reflect local preferences and traditions.
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Serving suggestions: Toddy can be consumed fresh, shortly after tapping, or allowed to ferment further. It is often an integral part of local celebrations and social gatherings.
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Cider
Cider, specifically hard cider, is a fermented beverage made from apple juice. It's popular in many cultures with a history of apple cultivation, offering a refreshing and flavourful alternative to other alcoholic beverages. Apple juice is fermented with yeast, transforming the sugars into alcohol and creating a delightful drink.
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Flavour: Cider delivers a similar tangy experience to kombucha, thanks to the presence of acetic acid, but with a distinct apple flavour. The taste can vary considerably depending on the apple varieties used and the fermentation process, ranging from dry and crisp to sweet and fruity.
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Serving suggestions: Cider is best enjoyed chilled. It's a versatile drink that pairs well with various foods and is a popular choice for social gatherings.
While it contains some apple antioxidants, it's important to remember that cider is primarily an alcoholic beverage.
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Lacto-fermented ginger ale
Lacto-fermented ginger ale is a naturally fizzy and flavourful beverage, offering a spicy kick and a dose of probiotics. It's a refreshing and healthy alternative to commercially produced ginger ales, which are often loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients.
This unique beverage is made through lacto-fermentation, where ginger, sugar, and a starter culture (such as whey or a previous batch of ginger ale) are combined and allowed to ferment. This process creates natural carbonation and introduces beneficial bacteria.
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Flavour: Lacto-fermented ginger ale boasts a robust and spicy ginger flavour, naturally carbonated through fermentation. It's a vibrant and invigorating drink with a pleasant tang.
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Benefits: Lacto-fermented ginger ale offers the benefits of probiotics, supporting gut health. It also contains ginger, which is known for its various health properties, including anti-inflammatory effects and aiding digestion.
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Serving suggestions: Lacto-fermented ginger ale is a refreshing pick-me-up. It also makes a fantastic mixer in cocktails or mocktails, adding a spicy and probiotic-rich boost to your favourite drinks.
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Fermented vegetable juice
Fermented vegetable juice is a concentrated and potent beverage packed with flavour and beneficial probiotics. It's a traditional way of preserving vegetables and utilising their nutritional power. Examples include sauerkraut juice (from fermented cabbage), beet kvass (from fermented beets), and other juices made from fermented carrots, cucumbers, or a mix of vegetables.
The process involves fermenting vegetables with salt and sometimes spices, allowing the naturally occurring bacteria to create lactic acid and preserve the vegetables (and their juices).
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Flavour: Fermented vegetable juices offer a complex flavour profile, typically described as salty, tangy, and earthy. The specific taste will depend on the vegetable(s) used in the fermentation process. For instance, sauerkraut juice is tangy and salty, while beet kvass offers an earthy sweetness alongside the tang.
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Benefits: Fermented vegetable juices are a great source of probiotics, promoting gut health. They also retain the nutrients present in the original vegetables, offering a concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals.
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Serving suggestions: Due to their concentrated flavour and potency, fermented vegetable juices are best enjoyed in small amounts. They are often consumed as a tonic, a shot of gut-friendly goodness, or added to other beverages like smoothies or soups for flavour and probiotic boost.
Exploring fermented drinks like kombucha opens the door to a world of exciting tastes and potential health benefits. These fermented beverages are more than a passing trend; they represent a vibrant fusion of ancient traditions and modern health awareness. With so many delicious options beyond kombucha, you will surely find a new favourite.
For those eager to venture out, consider starting with The Good Bug's range of fermented beverages. Their water kefir and kombucha are carefully crafted, prioritising health without compromising taste. Visit our website to discover the magic of probiotics and raise your glass to new experiences!
References
https://fulfoods.com/blogs/the-ful-scoop/drinks-like-kombucha
https://www.kayak.co.in/news/fermented-drinks/
https://www.oculyze.net/what-other-fermented-drinks-like-kombucha-are-there/
