A beginners guide to kombucha

wellness

I’ll admit, when I first heard of Kombucha several years ago, it came bogged with some serious hipster connotations, an exotic flavour available in the very small niche of specialist cafes that catered to a palate that I wasn’t entirely sure I possessed. I hastily chalked it up as a passing trend, but it has been a few years since it first stepped into the spotlight, and it is still here making big waves vying for its place in your local supermarket. Irrespective of whether it is plain and unflavoured or muddled with hints of lavender, cinnamon or ginger- I have grown to love it (a lot). I read the other day that coffee giant Starbucks has also jumped aboard the Kombucha train, and for good reason.

We know pretty well now that gut health is central to feeling good, less inflammation, better digestion and improved wellbeing. A healthy gut means less inflammation and Kombucha brings you one step closer to that. This sparkling beverage is bursting at the seams with vitamins, probiotics and antioxidants that are good for overall wellbeing. It contains enzymes that boost the metabolism, immune system, and improve your digestion. Tart, pungent, slightly sweet, and low in calories, this beverage is the perfect elixir to boost your mood and energy and improve gut health in the process.

Kombucha is made from a base of green or black tea, add to that white sugar which has been fermented with SCOBY or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast for about a week or two and you get a probiotic tea beverage known for its fantastic gut healing properties. A stand out attribute of the drink one usually gets to hear about is its flavour, which is often described as quirky, peculiar, an acquired taste; well, all of that comes from the long fermentation period which takes the fruity sour notes and deepens them into a mild vinegary taste. In fact, due to this elaborate process, there is also a certain level of alcohol content in the beverage but its less than 0.5 percent.

Benefits. Kombucha is known as an adaptogen in the sense that it brings the body, and especially the gut, to a state of homeostasis. What this essentially means is that it doesn’t address a particular ailment rather it balances the body so that it can heal itself. Because of the combination of caffeine and B vitamins, it naturally boosts the body’s energy levels and in addition to that its iron-rich properties also go a long way in improving the flow of oxygen in blood-boosting the immune system. However, regular ‘booch’ drinkers recommend that you consume this beverage regularly to reap the benefits. People who drink it often, report better digestion, reduced belly bloat, sustained energy and less bingeing in the afternoon.

Who shouldn’t drink Kombucha? Despite its nearly negligible alcohol content its best for pregnant and those breastfeeding to abstain from consuming the beverage as well as those who have histamine intolerance or candida.

While Kombucha is very widely available in Bali, Thailand, Paris, Berlin and even sold on tap in some countries; my favourite people have started a company of their own in Delhi. Established by sisters, Ariella and Rebekah Blank, Atmosphere Kombucha is an authentic & a tasty probiotic drink that comes in a variety of yummy flavours. The sisters are certified nutritionists and very passionate about clean eating and healthy living. They make the kombucha themselves while experimenting with fresh seasonal fruits and herbs to infuse with their healthy, probiotic tea. Growing up in the lush green Himalayas, surrounded by fresh air and positivity, they are excited to bring parts of that stress-free mindset & clean lifestyle to the busy city of New Delhi by creating a healthy ‘Atmosphere’ for their customers. While Kombucha is their main business, you can see them holding space at seminars and workshops and covering topics like intermittent fasting, hormone health and even adrenal fatigue. Their approach is intuitive, gentle and simple and this is why the brand and duo have earned themselves a loyal fan following.

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A post shared by Atmosphere Health Studio (@atmosphere.in) on Sep 5, 2018 at 9:00pm PDT

Atmosphere Kombucha is a tea that has been fermented with a SCOBY and is full of probiotics and digestive enzymes. Low in calories and sugar while tasting sweet and slightly tangy, kombucha aids digestion, boosts metabolism and bolsters the immune system. A powerhouse of energizing B vitamins, acetic acid and antioxidants, Atmosphere kombucha is an all-around happiness tonic. Available in a range of flavours like mango, lime and mint, ginger- a little birdie tells me they might be experimenting with guava in the near future.

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A post shared by Atmosphere Health Studio (@atmosphere.in) on Aug 28, 2018 at 10:10pm PDT

Verdict- I love how strong and fizzy the ginger one is- which, incidentally happens to be my favourite. I don’t find it cloyingly sweet and I also find that it is less pungent than the others making it more palatable and easy to consume regularly. My fridge will almost always have a bottle or two of their kombucha and I find it particularly beneficial when I have been travelling a fair bit or eating out a lot. I tend to have at least two bottles a week and I find that regular consumption of kombucha suits me just fine.

They stock at The Gourmet Store, Nature’s Soul, Fab Cafe and Greenr Cafe. For order inquiries, please call 81261 65269 or email at [email protected] or DM at https://www.instagram.com/atmosphere.in/ .

Photo Credits- Sean Tuckey https://www.instagram.com/seantux/

Disclaimer- while Kombucha suits most people just fine. People with histamine intolerance, bacterial overgrowth and candida don’t do very well with fermented foods and beverages. If you have or have had a history with any of these things, please consult your physician before you go onto to consume it. Pregnant women and those breastfeeding should also avoid the fizzy beverage.