Japanese legends say that samurai drank a fermented, bubbly tea. Although it was already known a century ago, the boom of this drink in our country is relatively recent. In fact, it began to be sold around 2010, although in the United States it had already been established on the market for years.
What is kombucha?
Judith Montaña, National Procurement Support for ALDI’s Non-Alcoholic Beverages category, explains that “Kombucha is a drink made from the fermentation of a sweetened infusion of green or black tea. This sugar is almost entirely consumed during fermentation. A group of yeasts and bacteria known as “scoby” are involved in this process.”
In addition to the scoby, to make kombucha you need what is known as a starter. In this case, it is more kombucha that is sufficiently fermented and rich in organic acids. Typically, you have 20% starter and the remaining 80% unfermented beverage.
The scoby, very hard-working microorganisms
The scoby is the set of mother microorganisms of kombucha, that is, a symbiotic culture of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. The term symbiotic refers to the fact that they help each other to obtain food, in a similar way to the bacteria that make yogurt.
Within this group of hard-working microorganisms we find bacteria such as Acetobacterium pasteurianus, A acetis, A xylinum, Glucanobacter oxydansamong others, and yeasts such as Saccharomyces species, Zygosaccharomyces kombuchaensis, Torulopsis sp., or Komagataeibacter xylinusamong others, which transform the sugar in the tea infusion into organic acids and carbon dioxide.
The term “scoby” is actually an acronym for Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast. Physically, it has a gelatinous biofilm texture with a cellulose base. The scoby is initially located in the air that remains inside the jar or container where the kombucha is made. As time passes and fermentation progresses, the scoby grows, accumulates more acidic compounds, such as gluconic acid, and improves the flavor of the drink.
Characteristic flavor and multiple colors
Kombucha has a very distinctive flavour. “Due to its fermentation, it can evoke the taste of beer. It is a combination of sweet, acidic and slightly vinegary flavours, although the organoleptic qualities of the final product depend, among other things, on the type of tea used, the flavour added or the remaining sugars,” says Montaña.
At the point of sale, there are usually bottles of kombucha in different colors. “It depends on the ingredients used. The type of tea or the other ingredients that are infused modify the initial color of the product. They will be pink if they contain red fruits or yellowish if they are lemon or ginger.”
How to preserve kombucha
Despite its appearance as a soft drink, it is not just another refreshing drink, but a food with living microorganisms. If we open a bottle and do not consume it in one sitting, we must store it in the refrigerator. “We can keep it open and refrigerated for up to a week. This way it will retain all its flavour, quality and effervescence,” adds the ALDI expert.
If it is sealed, it must be kept cold to preserve the microorganisms and prevent fermentation from continuing. This also preserves food safety and prevents the risk of food poisoning.
Benefits of Kombucha: What They Say and What the Evidence Says
The legend of the samurai is almost as extensive as the legend of the supposed properties of kombucha. As it is still a very new food, almost all the information comes from the manufacturers and it is common to find some superfood claims that do not always have the necessary scientific evidence. Let’s take a closer look at each of these claims.
Detoxifying properties
Bubbles are said to have benefits for the immune system and even detoxifying superpowersDieticians and nutritionists never tire of repeating that in our body this task of detoxification or elimination of toxins is almost exclusively the responsibility of the liver and kidneys. They are the ones who detoxify, that is, they are responsible for helping to excrete harmful substances from our body, either through feces or urine.
Antioxidant
As often happens, the results of a study are extrapolated without scientific rigor. study in laboratory mice to humans. Obviously, even if it is observed that the ‘antioxidant compounds generated during fermentation’ can protect the liver from damage caused by certain drugs, it would need to be tested in humans to reach such a conclusion.
Reduce blood sugar levels
Again, this supposed property is based on a study with mice and is not extrapolable to humans.
Probiotics good for constipation
Some studies They dissect the type of probiotic strains present in kombucha. From this, they extrapolate possible improvements in the intestinal microbiome, such as a lower risk of dysbiosis. However, although there may potentially be some association, it is necessary for this cause-effect relationship to be evaluated in humans.
Energy drink
Finally, some advertising claims categorize it as a sugar-free energy drink. In fact, if there is one thing that characterizes energy drinks, it is the presence of high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants, something that does not occur in kombucha. Therefore, it cannot be considered an energy drink.
Alternative to sugary soft drinks
What is a benefit is that it can be a Alternative to soft drinks traditional, whether carbonated or not. Although it may contain a certain amount of sugar remaining from fermentation, not in vain is it sold refrigerated to control this process, its contribution is minimal.
Vegan and suitable for celiacs
Originally a tea infusion, kombucha is suitable for vegans.
Regarding the presence of gluten, the recommendation for people with celiac disease is to always check the allergen declaration on the label to see if there are traces of that allergen.
The ALDI Council
Kombucha can provide an interesting alternative to other carbonated and sugary drinks, but remember that the healthiest drink and the one that should predominate in your diet is water.
Judith Mountain. Support for National Purchases – Non-Alcoholic Beverages at ALDI.
