I remember my first time (drinking kombucha..)

Nathan Hague

Kombucha Drinking Tips for Newbies

Are you a newcomer to the world of probiotic drinks and wondering what to expect the first time you drink kombucha? If so, you’re not alone! Kombucha is an effervescent (bubbly!), slightly-sweet, slightly sour and totally delicious drink that has gained huge popularity in the last few years especially. It’s rich in probiotics, organic acids, and antioxidants, making it a perfect healthy alternative to soft drinks and juices – and something different for when you’re wanting a non-alcoholic drink at a party or gathering, for example.

I’m Nate, and I’m the Master Brewer for our kombucha Phuket brand “KombuchaWOW!”, and I remember how I totally fell for the drink the first time I tasted it – I had zero idea what to expect. I actually remember how it looked like a mini-science experiment in my Brothers’ London apartment! He really had to convince me drink that tart but delicious first glass, and I’m glad I did!

So in this article, I’ll share my tips and insights to help you make the most of your first time you drink kombucha – a ‘kombucha for beginners’ or a ‘newcomer guide’, if you will!

Kombucha: An Acquired Taste

Getting started, look; The taste of kombucha may seem weird – like drinking a tangy and fruity apple cider vinegar – but don’t let that discourage you. Kombucha has come a long way since it first hit the market more than a decade ago. Today, there are so many tasty flavours to choose from that you’re sure to find one that suits you. We have 5 kombucha flavours for example, and our apple pie kombucha is a great beginners tips start.

Kombucha is a live cultured product that’s made by fermenting tea, raw organic sugar, and water with SCOBY, an acronym that stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. The fermentation process makes the drink naturally fizzy, and then different flavours are added by us to enhance the taste – although a lot of people like plain unflavoured kombucha as they might already be drinking and used to apple cider vinegar.

When you take your first sip of kombucha, you’ll experience an exhilarating, tangy and tart fruity flavour that’s all sorts of refreshing. It may take a little time to get used to the taste, but trust me, it’s worth it. Kombucha tastes like health, but in a good way.

Kombucha Origins

Many people think of kombucha as a Chinese tea. Others consider it to be a Japanese drink from the fact a Korean doctor called “Dr Kombu” gave a fermented brew to a Japanese Emperor, where the fermentation of this tea (“ocha”) then helped the Emperor with their health issues. Cool story, but what we do know for sure, is that kombucha has been around for about 2000 years and made its way to us from China through Russia and Eastern Europe.

Companies like us here at KombuchaWOW! have simply taken the exact same recipe and added our own flavours such as mixed berry, mango passionfruit and apple pie to the live cultures (SCOBY). It’s these little microscopic critters that give you benefits like immune support and digestive health.

What to Expect the First Time You Drink Booch

So, what should you expect the first time you pop the top and suck one down? Here are my suggestions for you getting started with my beginner tips!

Start with a flavour that suits your taste buds. If you’re not sure where to begin, try KombuchaWOW! Mango Passionfruit – it’s the ideal kombucha for beginners in my opinion.

First up? Know it’s going to have sour notes. All good kombucha should be slightly sour as it’s the acetic acid and other organic acids that are the same ones found in vinegar. No sourness? Yeah, it’s not a good kombucha.

Secondly, make sure it’s ice cold. No, really – trust me. An excellent health tonic it may be – but even I can’t stand room-temperature kombucha, and I drink it and make this wellness tonic on a daily basis! Remember: Ice cold. Make it happen.

Now it’s cold, go ahead and give it a good old sniff before you take a sip – 80% of how something tastes comes from its aroma and smell^(PDF) (this is the same as trying a wine for the first time when the cork is opened)

Take that first exhilarating sip and let it linger in your mouth for a moment. This will allow you to savour the flavour, acidity – and the fizzy sensation!

Now you’ve had your first sip – obviously you’re now hooked, right? And congratulations! You’ve joined the legions of us who have a smug alternative to crappy sodas and boring beers!

Trust me, you’ll be back for more. Once you get used to the taste, you’ll find yourself drinking kombucha daily like many of us do.

The Health Benefits of Kombucha

Obviously there’s a bit of bias when I say KombuchaWOW is a great drink choice for those looking to enjoy the health benefits of kombucha, but I know our booch is brimming with live cultures, organic acids, and antioxidants, all of which are really good for you and your health and your gut health too.

• Live Cultures: Kombucha is rich in live cultures, which are beneficial bacteria and yeast that aid in digestion, boost immunity, and promote overall health and wellbeing.
• Organic Acids: The organic acids in kombucha have a positive effect on digestion, helping to break down food and promote healthy gut bacteria. These acids also have a detoxifying effect, helping to remove harmful substances from the body. Kombucha is also rich in antioxidants, which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals racing around your body.

As I always recommend to anyone, it’s important to choose a high-quality, organic kombucha that’s made from natural ingredients. KombuchaWOW! is one of the best Thailand kombucha brands thanks to our commitment to using only the finest ingredients and our long, slow 30 day brewing process.

This 30-day long aged brewing process ensures that all of the sugar is converted into healthy organic acids, leaving no sugar behind. This means that you can enjoy the delicious taste of KombuchaWOW! as a low-calorie carbonated drink – no worrying about consuming excess sugar (a fizzy wellness tonic in a bottle, know what I mean?)

End Thoughts

The first time you drink kombucha can be a little daunting – especially if you’re drinking home-made kombucha because it can look like a weird science experiment! But the taste and health benefits are totally worth it. This delicious, effervescent, probiotic drink is packed with health benefits and is an excellent alternative to sugary drinks like soda, or calorie-laden beer. By choosing a high-quality Thai kombucha brand like KombuchaWOW!, you can know you’re getting the best possible product and the most health benefits.

So go right ahead, neck a mouthful and experience the refreshing, tangy taste of kombucha for the first time. Let me know how you find it!