Kombucha Botanica

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Made with a blend of 95 percent kombucha and 5 percent fruit juice, Kombucha Botanica is one of the most mellow tasting kombuchas that we’ve come across. The key reason for this is its lower lactic acid content, which is something that typically gives kombucha its sour flavor (there seem to be divided camps on whether this adds functional benefit). Either way, this product contains live probiotic content, which is why it must be kept refrigerated. The pineapple ginger variety is quite easy to drink, with a mild fermented tea flavor and a subtle splash of pineapple and sweetness. All in all, it’s a very easy and enjoyable product to drink. Packaging is a 12 oz. amber glass bottle, which looks like a craft soda product more than a kombucha. Nevertheless, the label is clean and wholesome looking, with an easily identifiable color scheme to differentiate the flavors. Typically, we recommend that fruit flavored beverages use images of fruit to help appeal to the senses, but in the case of this product (where the fruit flavor is very subtle), we don’t think that this would make sense. Overall, a very nice tasting product that’s a good starting point for those who are not yet familiar with kombucha. Reviewed on: 4/26/2011

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Compared with the other ginger enhanced flavors of Kombucha Botanica, this is the only one where the ginger actually takes center stage. Fortunately, this results in something that’s very enjoyable, with a flavor that’s not too far off from a ginger beer. The spice of the ginger is a really nice complement to the lightly fermented kombucha flavor, while the addition of a touch of sugar helps satisfy the sweet tooth. The tulsi (an herbal ingredient) is somewhat hard to pick out from the mix, especially as the ginger and kombucha flavors take over your palate as you make your way through the bottle. We don’t think that’s a bad thing – the flavors that you do taste are quite enjoyable and can hold their own. Packaging and branding are the same as the other Kombucha Botanica flavors, which is to say that the 12 oz. glass bottle is clean and appealing. We really wouldn’t change a thing about it. Reviewed on: 4/26/2011

Product Type:Tea: Kombucha; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Building on a flavor that’s similar to Pineapple Ginger (since this flavor has both pineapple and ginger in it), Hibiscus Island has a decent amount of hibiscus flavor and also a reddish tint to the liquid. The flavor is slightly spiced, which offers some balance to the lightly fermented flavor of the kombucha. The hibiscus adds a floral note, which adds another level of complexity to the mix. It’s lightly sweetened with sugar to the tune of 9g of sugar and 52 calories per bottle. For us, it’s just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy the senses. Packaging is clean and earthy looking, with a look that should fit well with the natural retailers that it’s likely to be sold in. Overall, while this flavor builds upon the base of their Pineapple Ginger flavor, we think that they’ve done a nice job of creating something that’s different enough to the point where we think it can stand on its own. Reviewed on: 4/26/2011