Kombucha (Fermented Tea)
Kombucha
About
Kombucha is a fizzy, tangy fermented tea made by brewing sweetened black or green tea and fermenting it with a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). The culture consumes most of the sugar during fermentation, producing a lightly sour, effervescent drink with trace amounts of caffeine and organic acids. Kombucha also naturally contains a small amount of alcohol as a fermentation by-product; an FDA investigation reported by the CDC found levels ranging from 0.7% to 1.3% ABV, which is why it is generally not recommended for pregnant women. It has grown into a popular homebrew and small-batch commercial drink among Nairobi's health and fitness crowd, though it is not yet part of Kenya's traditional food composition data.
Sourced from the USDA FoodData Central: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 2710509, Food Code 92306920 - Tea, Kombucha. Values per 100g/ml. Contains approximately 11mg caffeine per 100g., reviewed by our nutrition team.
About
Kombucha is a fizzy, tangy fermented tea made by brewing sweetened black or green tea and fermenting it with a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). The culture consumes most of the sugar during fermentation, producing a lightly sour, effervescent drink with trace amounts of caffeine and organic acids. Kombucha also naturally contains a small amount of alcohol as a fermentation by-product; an FDA investigation reported by the CDC found levels ranging from 0.7% to 1.3% ABV, which is why it is generally not recommended for pregnant women. It has grown into a popular homebrew and small-batch commercial drink among Nairobi's health and fitness crowd, though it is not yet part of Kenya's traditional food composition data.
Sourced from the USDA FoodData Central: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 2710509, Food Code 92306920 - Tea, Kombucha. Values per 100g/ml. Contains approximately 11mg caffeine per 100g., reviewed by our nutrition team.
Nutrition Facts
*Source: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 2710509, Food Code 92306920 - Tea, Kombucha. Values per 100g/ml. Contains approximately 11mg caffeine per 100g.
*data cleaned & organised by Fit Savanna
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Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a glass of kombucha?
A standard 240ml bottle of plain kombucha contains around 38 kcal, while a 355ml bottle comes to about 57 kcal. This is based on 16 kcal per 100ml, using USDA figures rather than the KFCT since kombucha is not a traditional Kenyan food.
Does kombucha have caffeine?
Yes, but only a small amount. Kombucha is brewed from tea, so it carries roughly 11mg of caffeine per 100ml, meaning a 240ml bottle has about 26mg - far less than a cup of coffee, which typically has 80 to 100mg.
Is kombucha good for weight loss or gut health?
Kombucha is low in calories at 16 kcal per 100ml and contains live cultures from fermentation, which some people find helpful for digestion. It is not a magic fix, and shop-bought or oversweetened batches can carry more sugar and calories than home-brewed versions, so it is worth checking the label or fermenting it fully at home.
Is kombucha safe to drink every day?
Moderate daily amounts are generally fine for most healthy adults, but kombucha is fermented and contains trace alcohol, caffeine and acids, so it is worth introducing gradually. People who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or sensitive to caffeine should check with a doctor before drinking it regularly.
Does kombucha contain alcohol?
Yes. Kombucha naturally contains a small amount of alcohol as a by-product of fermentation. An FDA investigation reported by the CDC found alcohol content ranging from 0.7% to 1.3% ABV, though homebrewed batches can vary depending on fermentation time, temperature and sugar levels. This is one of the main reasons kombucha is generally not recommended during pregnancy, alongside the theorised presence of blood-thinning compounds that may form in response to consumption.