The Kombucha Khronicles

The+Kombucha+Khronicles

Tegan Heswall, Staff Writer

Kombucha, also known as mushroom tea or fermented tea, has skyrocketed in popularity since the early 2000s. Aminos, polyphenols, probiotics, and enzymes found in these drinks are beneficial to not only your gut health but your overall health as a whole. According to Medical News Today, kombucha may also aid with liver health, type II diabetes management, decreased infection risk, and heart disease. Made with a variety of floral, fruity, spicy, herbal, and tart flavors, kombucha is a drink that can be enjoyed by all.

GT’s Synergy Lemonade Raw KombuchaBought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

8.5/10

From the first sip, I thought I bought actual lemonade. I had to double-check the label, and it is, in fact, kombucha! This is an excellent choice for beginner kombucha drinkers, as some of them can be a bit strong. It isn’t as sweet as I thought it would be, but that’s sometimes a good thing.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

GT’s Synergy Strawberry Serenity Raw Kombucha Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

9/10

Fruity flavors are inviting to new consumers of kombucha, hence it’s high rating. It has a nice tart taste, but not sour enough to turn someone away from it.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

GT’s Synergy Lavender Love Raw Kombucha

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

5/10

This was a flavor that I had my friend, who had never had kombucha try. Her reaction said it all: “*cough* This is just flavored apple cider vinegar!” Even though I disagree with this opinion, I can’t say that this was my favorite flavor. It has a sweet, light taste, but you can pinpoint the lavender more in the smell than the taste.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

GT’s Synergy Pomegranate Raw Kombucha

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

8/10

Pomegranate can sometimes have an overwhelming flavor when added into different types of foods and drinks, but GT’s knows how to balance it out with a slight floral taste.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

KeVita Blackberry Hops Master Brew Kombucha

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.29

4/10

This was not my favorite flavor. Hints of blackberry were present, but not enough to label it as “blackberry flavored”.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

Health-Ade Plus – Happy

Flavors: Orange and Vanilla

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $4.29

7/10

At first sip, this bottle didn’t offer the punch of flavor I had expected. With orange being such a pungent ingredient, I thought that this kombucha would offer more of a diverse taste with the added bit of vanilla.

Health-Ade Plus – Calm

Flavors: Lavender, Vanilla, and Passion Flower

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $4.29

7/10

This was a solid choice of flavors for kombucha, but similar to the Health-Ade Plus – Happy above, the overall flavor was lacking.

Health-Ade Tropical Punch Kombucha 

Bought at Trader Joe’s

Flavors: Pineapple, Mango, and Orange

Retail Price: $2.99

8/10

Tropical punch is a great beginner kombucha flavor. With more of a fruity taste, it is sweet and similar to soda.

Dr. Brew Clear Mind Kombucha 

Dr. Brew Clear Mind Kombucha

Flavors: Rosemary, Mint, Sage, and Mint

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $2.99

9/10

If you enjoy more of an herbal taste in drinks, this bottle is for you. While the brand offers additional flavors, Clear Mind will give you the most refreshing taste of kombucha in my opinion.

GT’s Synergy Guava Goddess

Flavors: Guava

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

6/10

Guava Goodness is overall a solid flavor, but it doesn’t hit the spots like some of the others. It is a bit bland, but when looking for a bottle that isn’t too overwhelming, this would be a perfect choice.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅

GT’s Synergy Watermelon Wonder

Flavors: Watermelon

Bought at Whole Foods

Retail Price: $3.49

3/10

Was extremely disappointed with this flavor. With watermelon being a generally enjoyable flavor to many, this does not keep the pattern consistent.

NO ADDED SUGAR ✅