With its red-orange color and a soft blob floating around, you are probably thinking, what does kombucha taste like? Your curiosity about its taste is probably a mix of both wonder and hesitance due to the suspicious-looking SCOBY and floaters.
Before you buy your first bottle of kombucha, let us give you a preview of what to expect on your first sip. Who knows you might become a booch advocate once its unique taste pleases your taste buds!
Q: What does kombucha taste like?
Kombucha is sour, a little bit sweet, and fragrant. It is a fizzy drink that resembles a sour beer. At first sip, its unique taste will pique your curiosity to drink more. Its distinct tanginess feels refreshing that comes with a hint of earthy taste. It’s complex, isn’t it?
Oftentimes, drinking kombucha is not love at first sight for most people. You will know more about the intricacy of its flavor the longer you drink it. Sooner or later, you’ll realize that it has grown on you. Here’s a more descriptive analysis of what kombucha tastes like:
- Texture: The consistency of kombucha is light and fizzy. It’s not as thick and bubbly as soda. It contains some floaters that are safe to consume. They are the yeast residue after the fermentation process.
- Color: The color of kombucha may change depending on its flavor. Without any fruit flavor, the color of kombucha ranges from light yellow to deep orange. Flavored kombucha on the other hand can be blue, green, or violet.
Factors that affect the taste of kombucha
Kombucha is a product of mid-fermentation. So, the best time to drink kombucha is when it’s freshly made or within 6 to 8 months. What’s the hurry, you might ask. Well, it’s because any changes in the following factors can alter its taste:
Fermentation duration
If you are wondering how long kombucha lasts, you probably saw the expiration date on its label. Technically, kombucha does not expire. It only turns into vinegar when fermented for 6 to 10 weeks.
The ideal fermentation duration to achieve the sweet & tart flavor of kombucha is three weeks, where the first two weeks are for the first fermentation and the last week for the second fermentation.
Ingredients
A typical kombucha is made of black tea or green tea and sugar. Most booch lovers and manufacturers creatively add some twist to the flavor of the brew by adding some fruits and herbs in it like ginger, lemon, cucumber, and other refreshing fruits.
Different kombucha brands like GT and Suja offer several kombucha flavors that suit the different preferences of their customers. These include Synergy Enlightened Mystic Mango and Suja Organic Pineapple Passion Fruit Kombucha.
Temperature
Temperature greatly affects the fermentation process of kombucha. Warm temperatures between 60 ℉ to 85 ℉ will resume the fermentation of kombucha and make it taste closely the same as vinegar. The bottles will also explode due to the carbonation buildup in the container.
On the other hand, if kombucha is placed in a cooler environment during the first fermentation, it will taste sweeter but weak. It will not develop the distinct kick you’ll find in properly brewed booches. The beneficial bacteria will also fail to propagate well which reduces the probiotic benefit in kombucha.
What are the kombucha flavors you can choose from?
There are already a ton of kombucha flavors created by several kombucha brands. If you check the kombucha variants online or in brick-and-mortar stores, you will notice that they are grouped into two categories. These include:
| Single-Flavored Kombucha | |
|---|---|
| Lemon 🍋🍋🍋 | Watermelon 🍉🍉🍉 |
| Peach 🍑🍑🍑 | Blueberry 🫐🫐🫐 |
| Apple 🍎🍎🍎 | Carrot 🥕🥕🥕 |
Acai  | Cranberry  |
Acerola  | Coconut 🥥🥥🥥 |
Almond  | Ginger  |
| Pineapple 🍍🍍🍍 | Kiwi 🥝🥝🥝 |
Blackberry  | Mint 🌿🌿🌿 |
| Mixed-flavored Kombucha | |
|---|---|
| Lemon ginger🍋 | Rosemary grape 🌿🍇 |
| Ginger pepper 🌶️ | Pumpkin spice  |
| Blackberry vanilla | Pineapple basil 🍍🌿 |
Apple cinnamon 🍎 | Blueberry banana 🫐🍌 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does kombucha taste so weird?
Depending on your definition of weird, kombucha is unique in the sense that it is a fizzy drink with a sour and subtle sweet taste. Mature kombucha has a stronger taste which some people prefer due to its increased alcohol and vinegar content.
Is kombucha an acquired taste?
Yes, the first sip doesn’t usually make an accurate impression of kombucha’s flavor. Only with a few sips before you can unleash its unique charm with its tart and subtle sweetness.
Is drinking kombucha good for you?
Kombucha is good for you since it is a perfect low-carb alternative to sugary drinks like soda. However, it’s not for everyone. People with weak immune systems should not consume kombucha since it is unpasteurized and contains caffeine and alcohol.
Does kombucha make you poop?
There is no scientific evidence proving that kombucha can make you poop. It is a probiotic that aids in digestion and helps improve gut health. However, it may not have the same laxative effect as drinking a cup of tea or coffee.
What does watermelon kombucha taste like?
Watermelon kombucha tastes similar to watermelon juice but with a hint of a complementing sour kick. It has a stronger but refreshing fruity flavor and less on the tangy part. Homebrewing watermelon kombucha can be challenging. It is best to try store-bought booch like Health-Ade Watermelon and GT’s Synergy Watermelon Wonder.
What does bad kombucha taste like?
You’ll know that kombucha has gone bad from the get-go through an off-putting odor and overly tart taste. You may try to taste it to be sure, but if you see some fuzzy white molds on top, it’s better to throw it out than be sick.
