WHAT IS KOMBUCHA?

Kombucha is a carbonated, fermented tea drink made from black and green tea, sugar, and yeast and bacterial cultures. The yeasts and bacteria enter the kombucha in the form of a scoby (Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeast, also called tea or kombucha fungus) or as a liquid starter culture. During fermentation, the active microorganisms convert the sugar into organic acids, giving the kombucha its characteristic sour taste.

HOW IS BOUCHE KOMBUCHA MADE?

The basic principle of kombucha is fermentation, in which the sugar dissolved in the tea extract is first converted into alcohol by the yeast and then converted into acetic and lactic acid by the bacteria.

We make kombucha by fermenting four basic ingredients: filtered water, black and green tea, beet sugar and our liquid starter culture. The starter culture is kombucha in concentrated form, consisting of the first four ingredients. For the fermentation of the kombucha, it goes into closed stainless steel fermentation tanks together with freshly brewed tea and other beet sugar. The batch is fermented until it has the desired acidity. Through daily checks and taste tests we can determine the right time for bottling.

WHAT IS A SCOBY?

A scoby is a gelatinous structure made up of yeast and bacterial cultures whose main function is to protect the kombucha from external influences (e.g. mold spores and foreign yeasts from the air). It gets its structure from the bacteria that form layers of cellulose on the surface. The Scoby stands for Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeast and is also colloquially called tea mushroom or kombucha mushroom. Strictly speaking, it is not a fungus, but rather a symbiotic network of active microorganisms. These ensure that the sugar is first converted into alcohol during fermentation and finally into acetic and lactic acids.

HOW LONG DOES KOMBUCHA LAST?

The best before date on each bottle indicates the exact date until which the kombucha can be kept cool and unopened. If stored in a cool place without interruption, it can be enjoyed for longer than if left unrefrigerated. If stored not refrigerated, increased carbon dioxide and possibly small amounts of alcohol develop; This is particularly true of kombucha, which contains fructose.

What the best-before date already says in the name: The product has a shelf life of at least until this day, which means that it is very likely completely safe to drink even after the date has passed. Please trust your senses and do not throw away unopened food. As long as you open the kombucha after the best-before date has expired and it smells, looks and tastes good, there is nothing wrong with consuming it. As a rule, kombucha does not spoil after the best-before date, it just becomes more acidic. However, after a very long period of storage, the acid content can be so high that it simply no longer tastes good.

HOW SHOULD KOMBUCHA STORE?

We recommend storing our kombucha in the refrigerator at +4 °C to +9 °C. Cool storage interrupts the fermentation process, meaning the yeasts and bacteria contained in the kombucha slow down their activity and prevent the kombucha from becoming more acidic and changing its taste.

If stored in the refrigerator, the kombucha is definitely still edible even after the best-before date has expired, see also “How long does kombucha last?” .

IS KOMBUCHA VEGAN?

Yes, our kombucha is 100% vegan. Our products all contain ingredients of plant origin and are therefore suitable for a vegan diet.

IS BOUCHE ORGANIC CERTIFIED?

We attach great importance to the quality of the products we use and have had organic certification since 2020. When available and sensible, we always prefer organic products to conventional goods; However, if we are convinced that an ingredient is not available in organic quality, we switch to conventional products.

All of our products that are certified organic have the organic label on the label and are therefore immediately recognizable as 'organic'. Products that do not yet have an organic label (such as the LEMONDROP variety) also contain organic ingredients, apart from the aromatic hops used, which are identified as such in the ingredients on the label.

CAN PREGNANT WOMEN DRINK KOMBUCHA SAFELY?

During the fermentation of kombucha, the yeasts produce small amounts of alcohol, most of which are converted by the bacteria into acetic and lactic acids. BOUCHE's kombucha always has an alcohol content of less than 0.5% vol. However, an alcohol content of 0.0% vol. cannot be guaranteed.

In addition, black and green tea contain caffeine, which is not recommended to be consumed in large quantities during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should check with their doctor whether they can drink kombucha and whether it is safe for them and their child.

DOES KOMBUCHA CONTAIN ALCOHOL?

Fermentation naturally creates a small amount of alcohol in the kombucha of less than 0.5% vol. This amount is comparable to the alcohol content of other fermented foods such as sourdough bread or sauerkraut.

Drinks that contain less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume are considered alcohol-free in Germany.

IS OUR KOMBUCHA PASTEURIZED?

Our kombucha is not pasteurized because we want to preserve the live yeast and bacteria in the kombucha. These microorganisms are important for the flavor profile of the kombucha.

IS OUR KOMBUCHA RAW?

Raw means that a product is completely untreated and unfiltered. Because we filter out a small proportion of the yeasts from the kombucha before bottling, our kombucha is not raw. We believe that a certain amount of filtration is necessary to keep yeast sediment to a minimum, as this will keep ethanol formation to a minimum (less than 0.5% vol). Of course, without having to compromise on taste, after all, the yeasts are essential for the body and taste of the kombucha.

DOES YOUR KOMBUCHA CONTAIN PRESERVATIVES?

Our kombucha contains no added substances, neither colors, flavors nor preservatives. The acetic acids produced in kombucha during the fermentation process naturally extend its shelf life without the need to add any additives.

HOW MUCH DEPOSIT IS ON THE BOTTLES AND WHERE CAN I RETURN THEM?

The deposit for all our bottles is 0.25 euros. Returns can be made to all supermarkets that sell disposable glass deposits (e.g. LIDL). Supermarkets with a sales area of ​​over 200 square meters are obliged to take back any glass deposits, even if they do not stock the product themselves.