Author: KBI Admin

Meet Our Members – Aquela Kombucha (Portugal)

Maria Lima, Aquela Kombucha, Portugal Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I discovered kombucha in Bali, in 2017, on a month-long trip in the island of gods, by recommendation of a friend. It was love at first sip! Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? Like most of my fellow brewers, I […]

Thursday, 23rd December 2021

Maria Lima, Aquela Kombucha, Portugal

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I discovered kombucha in Bali, in 2017, on a month-long trip in the island of gods, by recommendation of a friend. It was love at first sip!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Like most of my fellow brewers, I started to brew at home and the organic demand I had made me take it seriously and think of it as a possible business venture. My goal has always been to produce and sell kombucha that I love – raw, alive and delicious!

 

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I love the Health-Ade Power Greens!

 

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I am an academically trained architect, but I worked in fashion production most of my career.

 

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Everything has a solution.

Meet Our Members – Luna Booch (CA)

Kellie Moffatt, Luna Booch, Long Beach, Ca Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I first discovered kombucha about 3 years ago when I was looking for probiotics to improve my digestion. I went to Whole Foods and purchased a few brands. I liked everything I tried, and I knew kombucha was something I was […]

Thursday, 16th December 2021

Kellie Moffatt, Luna Booch, Long Beach, Ca

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I first discovered kombucha about 3 years ago when I was looking for probiotics to improve my digestion. I went to Whole Foods and purchased a few brands. I liked everything I tried, and I knew kombucha was something I was going to continue to drink.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

On my birthday, which also happens to be National Kombucha day, my mom suggested that we make kombucha together. She gave me one of her scobys to begin the brewing process. After making and trying it for the first time, I realized how homemade kombucha can be far more flavorful than store-bought. Also, since kombucha has physical health benefits, I felt that I could also add a unique spiritual health element to it with my interest in the moon and astrology.

 

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I love GT’s Rose Berry. I love anything with Rose!

 

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

My current career is working as an Associate Product Line Manager for a licensee for a well-known sporting equipment company. I specifically work with Run, Train, and Yoga products. To sum up, I do all the behind the scenes product stuff before it launches at retail. My goal is to make Luna booch my full-time career within the next several years.

 

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“The only thing constant in life is change.” This saying is a constant reminder for me to be adaptable to the constant change in life. This saying has also become a crucial element of my business as I base my flavors around the changing energy of the phases of the moon throughout the lunar cycle.

 

Meet Our Members – Hippie Kombucha (Australia)

Rob Whyte, Hippie Kombucha, Australia Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I tried my first Kombucha in 2013 at a local Fremantle Restaurant, and was unlike anything I’d ever tried. I came back specifically a few times just for this, it was unlabeled and served sparkling from a 1L bottle with our meal. Q: […]

Thursday, 9th December 2021

Rob Whyte, Hippie Kombucha, Australia

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I tried my first Kombucha in 2013 at a local Fremantle Restaurant, and was unlike anything I’d ever tried. I came back specifically a few times just for this, it was unlabeled and served sparkling from a 1L bottle with our meal.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

It’s such a fulfilling industry, both from a personal & health perspective.  I wanted to take my skills of managing & growing business, into an industry that I was actually passionate about, and enjoyed being a part of daily.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I guess you always crave what you can’t have, and I really loved GT’s Original when I was over in the US. It was my go to for a couple of weeks, and has no doubt had some impact on our own brewing style.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Financial Consulting for 25 years, until Kombucha found me, and dragged me away from an unfulfilling industry.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

I borrowed this one from the late Wayne Dyer a number of years ago, and to this day it still resonates strongly, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.

 

Meet Our Members – Hoochy Booch Kombucha (Canada)

Kristin Zerbin, Hoochy Booch Kombucha, Canada Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I discovered Kombucha back in 2013 while I was working as a meditation teacher at Chopra Yoga. I saw a bottle on the shelf and gave it a shake (classic kombucha mistake) and it exploded on me at the store. It didn’t […]

Thursday, 9th December 2021

Kristin Zerbin, Hoochy Booch Kombucha, Canada

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I discovered Kombucha back in 2013 while I was working as a meditation teacher at Chopra Yoga. I saw a bottle on the shelf and gave it a shake (classic kombucha mistake) and it exploded on me at the store. It didn’t deter me from drinking it though.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I started drinking Kombucha out of a need to heal my gut. After a long trip abroad I came home and my gut was just off. I went to the doctor and they found “nothing wrong with me” and offered me anti-depressants. I then took it upon myself to heal myself. I changed my diet and lifestyle but it wasn’t until I found & started drinking Kombucha that I truly started to feel better.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Wow, tough one for sure. I love unique flavours or something that is not too sweet. I’d say either lavender or hibiscus profiles would be my favourite. Or turmeric. I like my ‘booch more on the drier side.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I’m a Jill of all trades, so to speak. I am trained as a doula and makeup artist, I’ve also dabbled in meditation and selling raw treats. I love anything that allows my creativity to shine through so now I do some product creation for other companies and more recently dabbling into herbs and women’s health.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Everything is figure-out-able – Marie Forleo. It’s true right? You eventually can figure it all out if you allow for enough patience + creativity.

Meet Our Members – Kombucha Vallesana (Mexico)

Alejandro Himmelbauer, Kombucha Vallesana, Mexico Q: When did you first discover kombucha? 5 years ago. I had been having digestive problems for more than a year, tried allopathic treatments, homeopathy, acupuncture, nothing worked. My wife discovered kombucha in a ferments course, she brought home some of this vinegary drink and it changed my life forever. […]

Thursday, 2nd December 2021

Alejandro Himmelbauer, Kombucha Vallesana, Mexico

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

5 years ago.

I had been having digestive problems for more than a year, tried allopathic treatments, homeopathy, acupuncture, nothing worked. My wife discovered kombucha in a ferments course, she brought home some of this vinegary drink and it changed my life forever. My digestive issues improved within the first week of drinking it. Who would have imagined five years later I would be making kombucha for a living? 🙂

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

When I started brewing kombucha, I never thought about making a company. I just wanted to have my own fresh kombucha. At the time, I was working in Mexico City, driving home to my wife and 2 kids in Valle de Bravo (a small town near Mexico City) for the weekends. I guess making kombucha just made a lot of sense. I could move to Valle de Bravo with my family, I could share this wonderful elixir with more people and hopefully it will leave a good impression to my kids of how a company can be started with a glass jar in your own kitchen.

 

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Hola Kombucha (A small brand in Merida near Cancun) has a wonderful blend: Lime, ginger and aloe vera.

 

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Audio Engineer

 

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

No hay mal que por bien no venga. Similar to: Every cloud has a silver lining.

Meet Our Members – Kulture Kombucha Martha’s Vineyard (MA)

Nina Gordon, Kulture Kombucha Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Haven, MA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? The first time I tried kombucha I hated it. Now I know it was possibly stored unrefrigerated, because it was bitter and over-carbonated, tasted awful, so I avoided it for about 7 years. Then in 2011, a friend was […]

Monday, 29th November 2021

Nina Gordon, Kulture Kombucha Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Haven, MA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

The first time I tried kombucha I hated it. Now I know it was possibly stored unrefrigerated, because it was bitter and over-carbonated, tasted awful, so I avoided it for about 7 years. Then in 2011, a friend was staying in my house for a little over a month before moving to Brazil and starting a kombucha company there. I watched his scoby growing on my kitchen counter and reaching out with tentacles in horror and fascination, but because I trusted him I gave kombucha another taste and it was delicious! The next year another friend forced me to take a scoby, and I’ve been brewing kombucha nonstop since then.

 

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Kulture Club MV was originally formed as an informal tasting gathering in 2016. I was excited about kombucha and wanted to spread the word, gave away scobys with the hope that my friends would make fun flavors so we could all get back together and taste, like a kombucha potluck. However, I was the only one who ever brought kombucha, and everyone kept asking to buy some from me. Even when I said I wasn’t selling but sometimes shared with friends who came over, money would just appear on the counter when they left, so I decided I better get proper. I first got licensed for retail in 2017 to brew out of a shared commercial kitchen, and quickly realized I needed my own bigger space to include wholesale in 2018. Fortunately, I was temporarily working private duty caregiving as a nurse for one 48h shift per week, which gave me 5 days/week and the money to develop my kombucha business before the summer season.

 

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

I really enjoyed a specialty flavor that included moringa by Pilot kombucha that I bought at a fermentation festival in Brooklyn. I didn’t know what moringa was at the time and I’m still not sure if that was the dominant flavor, but I like to try new combinations. My favorite regular flavor produced by another brand is the one with lemongrass by NessAlla. I’ve got to admit it’s because the flavor profile is most like one of my own. Favorite flavors of my own kombucha is anything paired with rosa rugosa when it’s blooming on island. I really should try more flavors by other brands.

 

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I am/have been a fine artist, mother, house painting contractor, gardener, personal assistant, nurse, art gallery director, in that order and often concurrently, with repeats, and recently added professional beekeeper by chance. This spring I helped vaccinate in the community for Covid-19, but have to stop taking shifts now that kombucha season is in full swing here. Kombucha has become my main focus, since my kids are grown and it pays the bills while maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle, but have loved everything I do, even the hard parts.

 

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Because you’ve got guts!

Meet Our Members – The Good Reverend Kombucha Co (VA)

Brent Henderson, The Good Reverend Kombucha Co, Warrenton, VA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? 2010. My wife used to have lots of pain associated with digestive issues and a friend shared a jar with us believing it might help. It did. From the very first time that she drank it, it completely relieved […]

Thursday, 11th November 2021

Brent Henderson, The Good Reverend Kombucha Co, Warrenton, VA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

2010. My wife used to have lots of pain associated with digestive issues and a friend shared a jar with us believing it might help. It did. From the very first time that she drank it, it completely relieved all her pain. I’ve been making it ever since.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I believe that kombucha is good for humanity. I wanted to be a part of something that gives people something that tastes amazing yet has countless benefits to their overall health, immunity, and energy.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Coconut Lime by Humm

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I was a reverend in what seems like another life! Strangely enough I feel like I am benefiting humanity more in my current capacity than I was before.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Question everything.

CBD Legalization in California and Its Impact on Kombucha Brewers

After a long-awaited decision in the state legislature, California is finally joining 20 other states that have legalized the sale of CBD in dietary supplements, foods, beverages and cosmetics under AB45.  Non-Californians may assume that it was already legal in California, since recreational THC has been legal in the state since 2016. CBD has also […]

Tuesday, 9th November 2021

After a long-awaited decision in the state legislature, California is finally joining 20 other states that have legalized the sale of CBD in dietary supplements, foods, beverages and cosmetics under AB45. 

Non-Californians may assume that it was already legal in California, since recreational THC has been legal in the state since 2016. CBD has also become legalized in states which are generally thought of as less cannabis-friendly than California. However, CBD has existed in legal limbo in California until now. 

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike THC, it is non-intoxicating.

What does CBD legalization mean for kombucha brewers?

Due to the legal gray area that exists regarding CBD, it has already been found in baked goods, water, coffee, supplements, lip balm, and countless other consumables for years. Even some kombucha brands such as GT’s have adopted CBD into their flavor repertoire. 

Now that the law has taken effect, more brands will be able to confidently produce and market CBD kombucha in grocery stores and cafes throughout California. It is only  a matter of time before we see CBD-infused kombucha becoming much more prevalent on shelves. 

Is the delta-8 strain legal in California?

The delta-8 strain of cannabis is excluded from the legalization of CBD sales under AB45, and the Department of Public Health also has the authority to restrict other cannabinoids based on their intoxicating effect. Likewise, the details behind how CBD products will be regulated and taxed are yet to come. This is expected to take several months. 

The background on the legalization of CBD in California

Although recreational THC has been legal in California since 2016, CBD lagged behind until now. The Farm Bill of 2018 removed CBD from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substance Act, however it’s still restricted under the FD&C Act for the use of supplements and food additives. Still, most states have declared CBD legal in varying degrees, many allowing for its use in food and supplements. In some cases, CBD laws are simply not being enforced. The reason why California’s CBD policy trailed their THC policy is unknown, but some speculate that marijuana growers lobbied against it. Another challenge is the fact that any molecule that has been researched as a drug by the FDA cannot be used as a dietary supplement, and CBD has been researched and approved by the FDA in the drug Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures. Although CBD regulation remains unclear on a national level, the passage of AB45 removes much of the risk of selling CBD products in California.

Where can I learn more about cannabis kombucha?

Kombucha Brewers International hosts an annual conference, called KombuchaKon, dedicated to commercial Kombucha brewing and cannabis has been a hot topic in recent years. For more information on how to properly label your kombucha, check out the Kombucha Code of Practice. 

 

Meet Our Members – Loudmouth Beverages (PA)

Strickland Warfel, Loudmouth Beverages, Denver, PA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Living in the great state of Arizona!  A great hipster friend of mine who wore beanies in the summer, rode fixie, and liked smoking a pipe in the eve, shared a scoby with me. With that, I made Kombucha for about 4-5 […]

Thursday, 4th November 2021

Strickland Warfel, Loudmouth Beverages, Denver, PA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Living in the great state of Arizona!  A great hipster friend of mine who wore beanies in the summer, rode fixie, and liked smoking a pipe in the eve, shared a scoby with me. With that, I made Kombucha for about 4-5 months and just about couldn’t stand the stuff.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I want to be a part of the cultural shift of people choosing better health. I also love the craft along with good food.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

So this is tough to answer for me because I don’t drink buch from other brands very often.  If I reach for something I didn’t brew, it’s probably butterfly lime by Hex Ferments out of Baltimore.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Shed Hauler/Installer and Draftsman

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Life is to short for fear and too long for regret

Meet Our Members – Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea (MI)

Tarek & Rachel Kanaan, Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea, Ypsilanti, MI   Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Tarek:  I first tried it in 2006, in San Francisco on Haight street.  It was at a market and I was a raw-foodist at the time.  I saw a GTs Trilogy with the word ‘RAW’ on […]

Thursday, 28th October 2021

Tarek & Rachel Kanaan, Unity Vibration Living Kombucha Tea, Ypsilanti, MI

 

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Tarek:  I first tried it in 2006, in San Francisco on Haight street.  It was at a market and I was a raw-foodist at the time.  I saw a GTs Trilogy with the word ‘RAW’ on it and I HAD to try it.  I wasn’t drinking alcohol at the time, and I remember I feeling a little buzzed when I drank it.  My life hasn’t been the same since!

Rachel:  That question has two answers!  I received a SCOBY in 2005 from a friend who is a Weston Price Head.  It sat in my kitchen for almost a year before Tarek and I actually used it.  I tasted very strong homebrew through the same friend but really fell in love with it when I met Tarek and he introduced me to GT’s in 2006.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Tarek:  Because Rachel suggested it after we had been consuming too much GT Dave’s (which we love! – we were buying it by the case).  I also had experience brewing wine and beer with wild edible plants and LOVED it!  I immediately thought she was crazy for suggesting the idea and said no way.  Then I reconsidered and we started thinking about it and brewing kombucha on our own.  We noticed we had a knack for making the stuff, so we kept on going!

Rachel:  Because I knew intuitively we needed to do it.  It was so joyful and fun – such a creative endeavor!  Tarek and I where endlessly creating in our early days. And… with a recession in 2008 there was little work in either of our fields so it helped push us over the edge.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

Tarek:  GTs Trilogy (gotta go with the OG, baby) and Bhudda’s Brew Pineapple Super Greens.

Rachel:  Always love GT’s Synergy <.5% Divine Grape and Raspberry.  Simple but so beautiful!

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Tarek:  Automotive Engineer, Health Food store Cashier, Clinical Social Worker/Therapist/Program Coordinator.

Rachel:  I was a massage therapist/shamanic practitioner and an early childhood educator in Waldorf Schools.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Tarek:  Expect the Best!

Rachel:  “It’s a very good day”- Esther Hicks and
“The mind is everything, what you think you become.” Buddha