What is kombucha?
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Kombucha is slightly effervescent, refreshing tea based drink. Originating from Asia, the history of kombucha dates back more than 2000 years. Its main ingredients are tea and sugar which are fermented with yeast and bacteria. The origin of the name, Kombucha, is uncertain. One legend says a Korean doctor named Kombu brought it to Japan in 414 AD after which kombucha was regularly carried and enjoyed by the samurai. Sure enough, it sounds like a legend, but then again the samurai were an interesting bunch. We watched the Last Samurai again but didn't see Tom sipping kombucha. They did enjoy tea though. That's always good. People should drink more tea.
What is SCOBY?
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Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast, SCOBY is the mother of kombucha. All the yeast and bacteria contained in the mother convert tea, sugar and water into kombucha. Essentially, the floating pellicle you see on top of a kombucha vessel is what is called a "SCOBY".
Why does kombucha contain sugar?
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Sugar is what feeds the scoby. Often the kombucha mother doesn't eat up all the sugar leaving some residual sugar behind. The Good Guys kombucha has less than 5 g of sugar / 100ml while fruit juices and sodas often have 10 - 20 g of sugar / 100ml. In kombucha sugar is not added as a sweetener but for start the fermentation which results in healthy end products, such as organic acids and good bacteria.
Does kombucha contain alcohol?
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Through fermentation some of the sugar converts to alcohol, and alcohol then converts to vinegar. Trace amounts of alcohol is present in kombucha as a result of natural fermentation. The Good Guys kombucha has less than 0.5 % alcohol upon bottling.
Does kombucha contain caffeine?
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Yes, The Good Guys kombucha contains caffeine because it is made by fermenting tea (or coffee). The amount of caffeine is less than 8.6mg per 100ml. However, the Harmony Range is considered caffeine free with less than 1.5mg of caffeine per 100ml.
Why does The Good Guys kombucha need to be stored refrigerated?
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Our kombucha in glass bottles can get little bit wild if it stays in ambient temperature for too long. That is because it contains living yeast which may active in warm temperature, causing more than the desired level of bubbles in the kombucha. When it comes to The Good Guys glass bottled kombucha - store it in refrigerator.
Our kombucha in cans may well be stored at ambient temperature due to gentle heat treatment which removes the yeasts. All the good bacteria are still present in the kombucha. In fact, each can has 2 billion living probiotics ready to make your gut feel great.
Can you enjoy kombucha during pregnancy?
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Just to be on the safe side with alcohol (<0.5%), we don't recommend kombucha during pregnancy.
How much kombucha should I drink per day?
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We recommend starting with baby steps. The effects of kombucha are individual - some fall in love with the taste, while others notice that it helps with digestion and overall gut health. It's a good idea to listen to your body and adjust your drinking behaviour accordingly. A bottle per day is a good start. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy kombucha. What feels good inside is the right way for you. Trust your gut feeling!
Is there added carbonation in The Good Guys kombucha?
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The Good Guys kombucha has both naturally occurring carbonation and slight added carbonation so that our brew is more consistently fizzy. That also means we can ferment longer, get residual sugars as low as possible, and minimize the amount of alcohol in the bottle.
Is kombucha vegan?
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Yes, The Good Guys kombucha is vegan.
Honey is used when making Jun kombucha, but currently we do not sell Jun kombucha in bottles.
Is The Good Guys kombucha certified organic?
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Yes it is! Majority of our kombucha are certified organic. Peace and love!
Our sugar-free kombucha is made with 99% certified organic ingredients but it's not certified organic due to the sweetener (steviol glycoside) used.
Can I make kombucha at home?
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Of course you can! And you should because having a never-ending supply of kombucha at home is more fun than watering plants. Our Kombucha Starter Kit includes everything you need to brew your first 3 liter batch of kombucha, including easy-to-follow instructions + Kombucha Academy video instructions to help you through every step. Let your creativity flow with brewing and flavouring kombucha with all your favourite herbs, fruits, and other ingredients. We are here to help you succeed, so get in touch on social media or at hello@thegoodguys.fi. We are here for you!
Help! I have problem with home brewing, where what can I do?
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