If you've noticed kombucha showing up on more menus and grocery shelves lately, you're not alone. But what actually is it, and why do people drink it?
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea. It starts with sweetened black or green tea, which is then fermented using a SCOBY (a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). Over days to weeks, the culture consumes most of the sugar and produces natural carbonation, along with organic acids and live probiotic cultures.
The result is a tangy, lightly fizzy drink with far less sugar than the tea it started as.
What's Actually In It?
- Live probiotic cultures from the fermentation process
- Organic acids like acetic acid, which give kombucha its signature tang
- Natural carbonation, a byproduct of fermentation rather than added CO2
- Residual tea compounds, including antioxidants from the original tea leaves
At RYZE, our kombucha is brewed locally in the UAE from a green and black tea base, with no added sugar and no added carbonation. Every bit of fizz comes from the fermentation itself.
How Is Kombucha Made?
- Brew a batch of sweetened tea
- Add a SCOBY and let it ferment for several days to weeks
- Strain and flavour with real fruit, herbs, or spices
- Bottle and allow a short secondary fermentation to build natural carbonation
Why People Drink It
Kombucha is popular as a lower-sugar alternative to soda, and as a way to include naturally fermented foods in a diet. Many people simply enjoy the tangy, refreshing taste as a change from sugary sodas or juices.
Curious to try it? RYZE kombucha comes in 5 flavours, from Apple Cinnamon to Mango Peach, all brewed locally in the UAE.
Shop all RYZE kombucha flavours
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak with a healthcare professional.
