How kombucha improved my overall health

Written by Gabby, Founder of Happy Brew Kombucha

My First kombucha experience

This time last year, I was visiting my family in New Zealand when I came across this peculiar drink that seemed to have taken over the supermarkets and local farmer markets wherever I went. After hearing about it, and now seeing it, I had to try it myself! Packed with suitcase, a new life inspiration and my first SCOBY gifted by my dad, I headed home to the Philippines!

So what does kombucha taste like?

At first, it tasted a little weird- it was tangy and fizzy, not too sweet but I enjoyed it. It was different than what my palate was expecting but with every sip it became addictive!

Fortunately, it turns out, my family brews it at home! My dad has brewed it for over a decade for his friends and family so I was intrigued so and asked him how he made it. After he showed me his favorite recipe, it became a love affair and I started doing my own research at the same time.

I was so delighted when I learned about a myriad of health benefits that this wonder drink boasts! It tastes good AND makes you feel better? Hell yeah, I am in!

Discover why kombucha is a popular choice for those seeking a healthy alternative to soda

So...What in the world is Kombucha?

Well, kombucha is basically sweet fermented tea (You can use black tea, green tea and herbal teas) that is made healthy with the help of a living Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast or better known as a SCOBY.

To the SCOBY we add our freshly brewed tea of choice and some sugar (don't worry, the sugar is not for us! It is actually to feed the SCOBY during the fermentation process that slowly converts the sugars into healthy probiotics!). After around 10 days, the sweetness is subdued a little and becomes a beautiful balance of sweet and tartness that is naturally carbonated! So if you are concerned about the sugar intake, don't be!

This is the SCOBY and is solely responsible to convert the sweet tea sugars into beneficial bacteria and healthy acids

The first recorded use of kombucha goes way back 221 BC in China where it was known as "The Tea of Immortality".

The health benefits of kombucha

Kombucha tea, when made the authentic, unpasteurized way may offer a wide range of health benefits like probiotics (for improved gut and mental health), cancer risk prevention, it helps lowering the risk of infection and lowering cholesterol.

Furthermore it improves liver health, the green tea used can help with weight loss, type 2 diabetes management and even clearing of acne and pimples when used topically as beauty products!

There are other benefits claimed by kombucha drinkers, but some do not have sufficient scientific back ups, however, I believe it's about time we fund proper research into it so that more people can benefit from this magic elixir.

How kombucha helped me personally

When I started incorporating kombucha to my diet, I noticed a significant improvement to my overall health. Prior, I used to be severely constipated, unable to have regular bowel movements but that changed once I made kombucha part of my regular diet.

Also, I feel it has strengthened my immune system because I used to get sick a lot (allergic and non-allergic rhinitis and flu) but ever since I made kombucha a part of my healthier lifestyle, I only caught the flu once in a span of three months, which to me is a huge deal and I recovered within two days, another record broken!

Happy Brew Kombucha making healthy taste good

A healthier alternative to soda

The best of all, kombucha helps me with curbing my soda cravings! Sometimes I crave the refreshing effervescence of soda, especially after running errands around a hot and sticky Manila but the higher sugar content of soda puts me off. Luckily, kombucha is naturally lightly carbonated, and I love knowing it so much lower in sugar and calories that I can drink it guilt free!

Kombucha makes a refreshing alternative to soda

It is the age of fermentation

Thanks to my dad, I began taking up a new hobby of home-brewing that slowly has developed into a blossoming business! At Happy Brew Kombucha we love what we do and seeing all the positive feedback and reviews, it warms my heart! Thank you!

Kombucha is starting to trend more and more in Manila and the Philippines and we know that soon, it will be up to the same levels as it already is in Australia and the USA.

It's the age of fermentation, henny! Maybe next time I'll be posting about making my own sauerkraut and kimchi too, who knows?!

And wait till I tell you how kombucha helped me with my outbreak of zits and pimples!