Bucha

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 16 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Of the Bucha flavors, this one is the best, with an extremely pleasant grapefruit flavor providing the base flavor for the drink. It does a nice job of complementing the fermented flavor of the kombucha that's inside the bottle, by both enhancing the strength of the overall flavor and by cutting the bitterness that's naturally present in kombucha. Like the other flavors, this raw beverage contains probiotic microorganisms inside, which is, for consumers in the know, one of the main selling points of the product. From a packaging perspective, this is again one of the better flavors, with a visual appearance that quickly whets the palate. Images of fruit combined with a clean front panel make this a product that should definitely sell well. However, we're not totally crazy about the bottle shape — it's something that has been used for carbonated beverages in the past and, therefore, might send the wrong message about this product. Still, this is one of the best tasting kombucha products that we've sampled to date.Reviewed on: 11/15/2010

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 16 oz Glass
BevNET Review: This was our least favorite of the Bucha Live Kombucha flavors. It's one of those drinks that starts off on the wrong foot and fails to recover, with a foul smelling aroma of fermentation and roses (have you ever left flowers in a vase too long?). Inside the bottle, the flavor is off balance, with the rose flavor enhancing the flavor of the fermentation rather than suppressing it. With several other flavors of the Bucha line having better formulations, we can't imagine why a consumer would choose this flavor over the others.Reviewed on: 11/15/2010

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 16 oz Glass
BevNET Review: We've had chai with kombucha before, but this one seems like it has missed the mark slightly. While there's a decent tasting chai flavor to the product, there simply isn't enough of it. This not only lets the fermented kombucha flavor overpower it, but it also makes the bitter fermented flavor more pronounced. Giving the drink more of the chai would definitely help in a big way. Packaging is good, at least in theory, although there's something about the look of the product that says "cream soda." Some of that is the effect of the color of the liquid, which looks very much like a soda from afar, but also the shape of the bottle and design of the label, which again feel like something that is more appropriate for a carbonated soft drink. We're not quite sure which of these elements they should change, but we're certain that the current look of the product is at odds with the healthy intentions of Bucha. Overall, this flavor definitely needs work.Reviewed on: 11/15/2010

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 16 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Guava Mango is one of the better flavors of the Bucha line up, thanks to the selection of two fruit flavors that pair nicely with their raw kombucha base. The kombucha flavor and content seem to be rather mild compared to kombucha flavors pre Summer 2010, so to that end, the base flavor doesn't completely take center stage. As a result, the fruit flavors are more important than they might have been in a stronger brew. Fortunately, the addition of two tropical fruit flavors give the drink a subtle fruitiness that's lightly tart and enjoyable. Aside from the shape of the bottle, which makes the product feel like a sparkling juice or soda, we think that they've done a nice job with the look of the label. It's extremely easy to read, whets the appetite, and is appealing to the eye. Overall, a job well done by Bucha.Reviewed on: 11/15/2010

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 16 oz Glass
BevNET Review: For people who want live, raw kombucha but can't tolerate the pungent flavor of some of the other brands that are out there, Bucha Blood Orange might be what you've been waiting for. This variety has only trace amounts of fizz, which is also a good thing as far as mainstream appeal is concerned, and utilizes a sugar and erythritol sweetener blend. It's a fairly pleasant drinking experience, with mellow notes of fermented kombucha flavor, a decent hit of fruit flavor (we're not sure that it tastes like blood orange, but it's good nonetheless), and some floral notes to the finish. Improving the fruit flavor would be good (the product seems to rely on orange peel exclusively), but otherwise we like it a lot. On the outside, they've chosen a 16 oz. bottle that looks appropriate for this type of product. While it has a slightly plain look to it in comparison to some of the more exotic and earthy designs of the competition, we doubt that anyone will be confused about what's inside the bottle. Overall, this is one of the more drinkable raw kombucha beverages that we've sampled, but the packaging could definitely be improved. Reviewed on: 11/15/2010