DRINK DIFFERENT | Made with ❤️ in Phuket
Where Do They Sell Kombucha In Thailand
Good Kombucha In Thailand Is Everywhere!
Now whether you live here in Phuket (where we are!), OR you live elsewhere in Thailand, OR if you’re a Visitor here: You’re thirsty and you want know where the nearest place to buy a bottle of your favourite kombucha drink. But where do they sell kombucha in Thailand?
Well, luckily both your thirst and your gut are going to be happy when you know that kombucha has EXPLODED in popularity here and as a result – you can find some amazing kombucha all over the place!
Warning 1: Alcohol Levels In Thailand Kombucha!
It’s not always been so easy to buy kombucha in Thailand though! And technically, it’s still an illegal drink to produce! This is because of Thailand’s draconian brewing laws that haven’t been updated to cope with new naturally-fermented drinks like kombucha.
Basically, when you brew kombucha in a traditional way, then you’re going to end up with alcohol in there. This can be controlled by commercial kombucha brewers like us, but if you’re looking to buy a few bottles of local brewer’s booch? Well, you’re going to need to understand that with the tropical temperatures here in Thailand, this means kombucha brews VERY quickly. While this is great to get our booch more quickly, it does also mean that you might be drinking a kombucha that can have an alcohol level of 4% ABV or more!
This is the same alcohol level as a beer, so you’re not going to be drinking a halal product, and you certainly don’t want to be drinking if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding!
Warning 2: Weed and THC and CBD in Thailand Kombucha!
Further, now with marijuana being made legal in Thailand, it means some really interesting THC-infused kombuchas as starting to appear. Please note that as of June 2022 when writing this article, that there exists NO commercial license to be able to sell weed kombucha or ANY drink in a retail shop like 7-11, and with little to no labelling on the bottles from artisanal brewers, you can’t be sure of the potency of the THC levels.
Absolutely you should try them, but just be careful if you’re going to be driving is all! Thailand usually mistakenly confused and mis-labels THC products as CBD at the moment, and vice versa.
It’s very confusing for you – especially if you’re wanting to avoid THC effects – or you want to be refreshed and then drive!
You can find these weed-infused local brews in Facebook groups or on Lazada, but you won’t find them in the main convenience stores or grocery stores. (Yet!)
Choosing The Right Kombucha
So here in Thailand, you’re going to generally going to find a very sour booch, or a very sweet one. Very few brews will be carbonated if you buy through Facebook or Lazada, unless they are commercial kombucha Manufacturers like us here at KombuchaWOW. If you like a non-carbonated kombucha though, then you’re going to be spoilt for choice!
Quite a few hotels are now quickly catching up to the popularity of kombucha with their Guests, although its still quite rare to find them selling cans or bottles of kombucha. Progressive early adopters like the Marriott Renaissance in Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, are leading the way in creating kombucha cocktails and providing kombucha as a healthy alternative to the usual beers, coffees and sodas. Expect to see kombucha on tap in the near future.
It’s also because of this dramatic rise in demand of kombucha, that companies like us here at KombuchaWOW are thriving: If you’re like me, you don’t want artificial flavours, or yet another energy drink or sugar-laden fruit juices. Water is ideal, but that’s hardly exciting for when you’re perhaps on holiday – or want a post-workout drink or an afternoon pick-me-up, right?
Kombucha fits this scenario nicely, as its made with simple and natural ingredients.
Read The Labels!
I’ve already talked about the THC and alcohol levels in craft kombucha, but where you’re looking in a grocery store in Thailand (or more likely, a 7-11!), then you have to read the label on the bottle or can of booch.
All kombucha from all brands starts as tea, sugar, water and a SCOBY. However, it’s from this simple start, that a brand’s kombucha can be totally different to what you’re expecting it to be. As a rule, any kombucha you find NOT in a refrigerator is going to be pasteurised. This means all the beneficial probiotics and microbes in the drink have been killed dead in order for the fermentation to be completely stopped so they can safely put on shop shelves at room temperature.
Don’t buy this. Or maybe do – but you’re going to experience at best, a soda that’s sour, and to worst case; Just a really sad disgusting dead-flavoured drink of disappointment. Harsh, but most definitely fair!
If the label says “raw kombucha”, then you’ve lucked in.
You can also check the Manufacturers’ websites for more details on their kombucha. They’ll publish their details there, although if you’re a Foreigner here, your results may vary as the sites might not have an English version (google translate works ok though!)
Packaging: Don’t Do Plastic!
Most Thailand kombucha is sold in glass bottles (like our KombuchaWOW brand). You’ll also find cans in the refrigerated section of Thai grocery stores too. Whenever you ask, “where do they sell kombucha in Thailand?” – just remember: It always in either grocery stores like Villa Market or 7-11!
However, as always – be an environmental consumer too! I can’t begin to tell you how many Thailand kombucha brands STILL use plastic bottles in this day and age.
Their booch might be ok, but them using plastic certainly isn’t. Please consider other brands that at least offer their kombucha in a bottle or a can, and you know, save a turtle or ten!
Another way: Online!
And no, we’re not talking about buying through Facebook groups (although that is an option). I’m talking more about being able to buy on a website where you enter your delivery details, pay using bank transfer or credit card and then you get your booch delivered. Or, maybe you click, pay and collect yourself from the kombucha brewery.
Naturally, KombuchaWOW has an online store that you can do exactly the above!
We’ve even got a store locator for you to use, to find the nearest stockist of our KombuchaWOW to you!
OK, well that was a look at where do they sell kombucha in Thailand. It’s a lot easier than its ever been to buy throughout the country – and we’re hoping that soon the Thai brewing laws change so we can start to work on our hard kombucha line. Having a probiotic “healthy” alcoholic kombucha is something a lot of people want, but can’t have for a while longer.
As always, you can ask me any questions you have on KombuchaWOW or kombucha in general! You can find me hanging out on our socials at Facebook, Instagram or our TikTok page (when I’m not in our Phuket kombucha brewery!)
And if you post a photo of yourself with our kombucha? Tag it with #kombuchawow – we’ll see it! And if we like it? Keep an eye on your inbox for freebies 😉
Booch on my dudes and babes!
Nate