Kombucha drink

[VeggieMel]

Hi everyone,

I recenlty discovered Synergy Kombucha drink. I really like the taste, especially Guava Goddess. I was wondering about people's experiences with this beverage. Have you noticed any health benefits? Also, do you think it's genuinely raw? Thanks for your feedback.

[Cranberry]

I am drininking Guava Goddess right now. First one I have had though. Tastes great. Don't know the results yet.

[Amberly]

I have had Guava Goddess and Grape. :)

[merfie]

I have had all the flavors, but the Grape is my favorite, probably because the fermented part tastes more like wine, the others are a bit odd to me.

anyway, i was drinking several a week about 3 months ago and noticed one change, my candida came back...this may not have had anything to do with the drink, it may have been all the halloween candy i had before that time...but it did spur me into a better diet, awareness of my sugar intake and love of fermented foods (wine, cheese, mushrooms, etc.)

it may have pulled necessary healing elements to the surface, cleansing my body...

i'll probably start drinking the grape again, just maybe not so intensely.

[Svadhyaya]

Everyone at work is addicted to Kombucha.
But I, unfortunately, hate it.
All the flavors.

I wish I liked it, but good heavens, I think it's horrible.

[aleigh]

I love it because it makes me feel energized and I know it's good for my digestive system.. alcohol-y taste and all.
It's odd but maybe an acquired taste?

I drink: trilogy (ginger, lemon, raspberry), gingerberry (ginger, blueberry), and ginger.

Yes, there's a pattern there for a reason!

I don't know how I feel about the orange one.. I forget what it's called but I had a fun incident with it exploding on me once while driving. I pulled over hysterically laughing and sopping wet.

[cassidy]

I'm addicted to the stuff! I have one every morning. I've noticed that it is a bit of an appetite suppresant (sp?). I love the energy and little "buzz" I get from it.
I think it is deffinantly good for you!
My favorite is the green one, trilogy and cranberry.
MMMMMMMMMMMMM... I look forward to this every morning!

[VeggieMel]

Yes, I definitely agree that it's an appetite supressant which is a nice PLUS.

Merfie, I'm curious, how did you know your candida came back? What were your symptoms?

[Nini]

I say WAHOO to the Grape!! I drink it quite often.

[Snowshue]

I am only 13 days raw and Synergy has gotten me through the tough times that is for sure!

[SeaGrass7]

i also enjoy it. i have read that most people only need a few ounces. the container Synergy comes in is no small serving. i usually drink mine in two days.

i got a kombucha starter today and will soon be making my own. Has anyone else tried that?

[cassidy]

Oooo... Seagrass, will you let us know how it turns out? I wonder if it is as delicious as the Synergy?
I just got into a buyers club at the HFS just so I could purchase Synergy Kombucha in bulk......... but, if I make my own.. that would be SO great! I'm planning on ordering 4 cases next week :eek: ! I'm so addicted... I swear, it's like a drug!
You'll have to keep us informed!

[shine72]

Where have you guys been getting these? None of the stores near me carry it. I'm moving to Atlanta in a few months, but even the Whole Foods store in Maryland that I used to go to didn't have it the last time I went raw. TIA!

Sunshine :D

[aleigh]

Where have you guys been getting these? None of the stores near me carry it. I'm moving to Atlanta in a few months, but even the Whole Foods store in Maryland that I used to go to didn't have it the last time I went raw. TIA!

Sunshine :D

here ya go!
http://www.gtskombucha.com/wheretobuy.html

[cassidy]

You may be able to ask the HF store if they can order some for you?

[VeggieMel]

The Whole Foods by me carries Synergy Kombucha. Maybe they have it, or maybe they will order it if you request.

[shine72]

Thanks everyone! I went to the website, and they had my local HFS listed! But when I called they said they don't carry it, but they can special order it. So, i'm going to Maryland, where I'll try it, and then I guess I'll pick out the flavor from there. Anyone have suggestions on favorite flavors? Cause I have to buy it buy the case, and only have room for one, so I have to make my choice count! TIA!

Sunshine :D

[VeggieMel]

Guava Goddess is so, so delicious, and I think my second favorite would be citrus.

[rande]

i LOVE kombucha!! makes me feel all tingly :)

[Elizabeth]

I love this stuff! It is so nice to be able to get a ready made drink that is good for you and Raw! I had the strawberry and bought a grape and another strawberry for later. I think I am going to get a case in a week or so. I wish I could get a mix or match case..lol..I think I will ask at my hfs if I can still get the case discount and mix it up. :p

Soemone posted that they were going to make their own. How did that go?? Please..let us know..:D

[mershwista]

Oh I do love Kombucha...great way to make sure you have good intestinal flora. I started making my own because I am just not willing to pay $3 a bottle for the stuff.

[Meowzr]

I really like it, especially the grape, guava and synergy. I've noticed that it helps keep digestive processes moving. It curbs my appetite and if I am having a sugar craving, drinking kombucha takes care of it. Now... if I could figure out how to make it on my own...

[Morn]

I am not crazy about any of the flavors I have tried. I think it is an acquired taste that grows on you. The first time I drank one it made my stomach hurt. Maybe I just haven't tried a flavor I really liked. Also they are expensive as others have noted.

[WannaBraw]

I love Kombucha, Grape, Guava Goddess, and Mango are favorites but I like all flavors. One time though I got a little drunk, I think it was heavily fermented. :p

[VeggieMel]

I get a little high from it. I love it!!

[misslinda]

Synergy Gingerale is my fave.:)

[codajess]

I get G.T.'s Kombucha. I'd love to drink a bottle daily, or at least half a bottle. The taste is something I have to be in the mood for & I can never drink that much.

Here's a question, which of the 2 proper ways to say it, do you say kombucha?

[mershwista]

I love Kombucha, Grape, Guava Goddess, and Mango are favorites but I like all flavors. One time though I got a little drunk, I think it was heavily fermented. :p

There must have been something wrong with your kombucha if you truly were drunk and not just imagining that you might and thereby manifesting the symptoms of it...the alcohol content of those drinks is extremely low. Otherwise they would be carding us to buy them, and that is not the case.

[NFrawRUNNER]

I AM ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED TO THEM LIKE A JUNKIE! I "allow" myself one a day and have more if not feeling well or after my evening sauna I often have one and sleep like a baby. For me it's a special "soda/wine/malt" kind of treat....It works wherever I need it at the time. After a long run I feel it in my legs and neck...At night it warms my tummy and seems to relax and replenish me post sauna. I am going to learn how to make it from a worker at our hfs who makes his own and will have a "baby" one for me soon! That will be cool as they are quite expensive....my one daily indulgence!!!:p

[Elizabeth]

HI NFrawRUNNER. I am in Binghamton, NY..where are you?


FYI..whoever asked about pronunciation...on the bottle it says to pronounce it kom-BOO'-cha, with the accent on the middle syllable.

As for the intoxicating effects..LOL...I am on my 7th day of a juice fast and when I had some the first time two days ago, I got a little buzz, probably from a fast-induced increased sensitivity to the combo of the small amt. of alcohol and the (relatively few)carbs. I tried the grape, the strawberry and the mango. I like the grape and strawberry best so far. I was thinking of trying the ginger, since I used to love vernors..lol..and after MissLinda's vote of confidence for it, I think I will have to get some on Mon. My hfs that carries them is closed on Sunday.

I love having them in the fridge, but found out that to get the 10 % case discount, I have to get a case of all the same flavor. I prefer a variety..yumm..:p

I think I can tell a difference when I drink them..they seem to satisfy me..although they do not have that many calories..maybe it is the fizziness..which I do love.

[Stina]

Did you notice how many people mention being addicted to them? I don't want to be dependent on anything. That was my objection to coffee. I know, I'm a party pooper! But I was reading a book on growing kombucha and it said that it's inappropriate for alcoholics in recovery but gave no explanation. I know they're technically alcohol-free or are supposed to be if fermented correctly, but I suspect the sugars mimic alcohol. I don't drink 'em 'cause I just don't want to feel wired off of anything. I asked my naturopathic doctor friend about them and he said he didn't think they were good for most blood types. ? don't know, but if they float your boat, I am happy for you!

[VeggieMel]

They wouldn't be appropriate for alcoholics because there is a small alcohol content due to fermentation. I get a tiny high from drinking Kombucha, but I'm not worried about becoming addicted. I wonder if people who say they are "addicted" are exagerating.

[Elizabeth]

I agree, that might be something for people who have a history of drinking problems to keep in mind...but, in this context, I believe people are using the term "addicted," in a non-technical way.., as in "I like it very much." :-) The drinks are actually good for us...I do not think there any need to fear something just because some people like it a lot.

I think that the positive feelings I am experiencing,from juicing, rawing, etc., and maybe the feelings of others, are difficult to describe without using language that is easily misunderstood. For most people eating a SAD diet, feelings of euphoria or bliss are associated with unnatural, altered states. When eating healthfully, juice fasting etc...the blissfull states experienced can seem suspicious to some people, I think, partly because, in order to induce them in someone living unhealthfully, drugs or alcohol would have to be incolved....

I do not believe, with all of the regulation of alcohol, that the kombucha would be for sale in the juice cooler if there was a significant alcohol content. True, who knows the psychological/emotional effect of even tasting the fermented flavor for someone who has/had a drinking problem? But, fermented and cultured products have been part of traditional diets likely as long as people have been preparing food...and they are connected to definite health benefits. How fabulous that they can actually taste good and be Raw...and that we can feel their health-giving properties even as we drink them...

Best...:)

[NFrawRUNNER]

very well said Elizabeth and so much kinder than what I was going to say! Yes, saying we're "addicted" to kombucha is just an expression! Relax people!:rolleyes:

[Frecs]

I love them...even if they are a luxury item.

As for health benefits noted: one of the main things I noticed is that my food is getting digested better -- no pieces of lettuce coming out the other end (TMI, I know, sorry!). This tells me that I was deficient in intestinal flora in my colon where the tougher fibers are digested by intestinal flora. The Kombucha has remedied that situation quite nicely and tastes good to-boot! :D

[Zuri]

I've only had about two bottles of kombucha by GT so I can't say too much about it. I did contact GT and his employees to find out just how raw the product is. I don't believe the juice is raw and they never answered that question specifically like I asked. Hope this helps. Here are their responses via cut and paste:

"Hello. Thanks for the email. :)

Our Kombucha is cultured using organic green tea, organic black tea and evaporated cane juice. These three ingredients are not used for flavor purposes but as nutrients for the enzymes and probiotics. Therefore they are converted or dissolved during the fermentation leaving only trace amounts of caffeine and "sugars" in the final product. You can rest assured that you are not drinking just sweetened
tea.

I hope that helps,

Wendy :)"


"All of our ingredients are raw and unpasteurized. We add the fruit juices at the time of bottling.

I hope that helps,

GT :)"

[Elizabeth]

I love them...even if they are a luxury item.

As for health benefits noted: one of the main things I noticed is that my food is getting digested better -- no pieces of lettuce coming out the other end (TMI, I know, sorry!). This tells me that I was deficient in intestinal flora in my colon where the tougher fibers are digested by intestinal flora. The Kombucha has remedied that situation quite nicely and tastes good to-boot! :D


LOL...possibly TMI, but good to know, though. ;)
WOW!!!! 137 lbs. so fabulous.. Congratulations!!

[Amberly]

Some are 100% raw and some are 95 (?)% I think it is the Synergy ones that are 95%.

[okorolina40]

HI - I am seeing this thread and wondering if the benefits are similar to the rejuvelac drink. What are the differences between these and should I be drinking both?

Thanks


RawNaija

[sethm]

I've made it Kumbucha before and its a little work. You can actually buy a mushroom online and have it delivered. I bought one a while back from a healthfood lady in Florida but after making my first batch i started feeling really woozy and almost a vertigo feeling so I tossed it. I think I might try it again though. I just found these gt kumbucha drinks yesterday at whole foods market and the first one I drank (citrus flavor) just exploded in my mouth. It was soooo tart but once I had my first gulp it brought back that kumbucha flavor I used to love. Its a weird tast almost vinagerie like but it can be addicting. I drank two bottles yesterday just because all Ive really had to drink for the last 9 days has been water. If anyone has a mushroom they would like to sell let me know... $3 bucks a bottle wont last for me...
Sethm

[sethm]

http://www.happyherbalist.com/brewing_kombucha.htm

[Live Free]

I have been making kombucha tea for about 2 months. I love it, I just dont get the bubbles like I do with the ones I buy in the store.

I was told that people should work their way up to 8oz or more I would assume it would be fine per day.
I could drink the whole batch in one day and it would have no affect on me.

My friend said that the first time she tried it, she felt whoozy too. Like after drink an alcoholic drink. She asked me if I drink because my tolerance is so high and I told her no I do not drink.

So I would just work your way up..

[TanjaJo]

I'd love to find it for $3.00/bottle. Right now, I'm paying $4.95 a bottle from the health food store. So I limit myself to 3 bottles/week (not to mention having to drive almost 25 miles to get it). Mango and Cranberry are what she had and I like the mango the best. I'd like to try making it myself because I really do like it. I saw something on e-bay and didn't check into it closely, but it looked like it was some sort of a starter for kombucha? Anyone else see that?

[luna99]

if this is the drink I think it is.. make sure you don't shake it up!!! our car stank of alcohol for a long time!

ps, I didn't even like the drink! :cool:

[mershwista]

A kombucha starter kit sounds legit...basically it's probably going to contain a weird-looking mushroom. You can make kombucha off of that or off of existing live-culture kombucha. I admire your persistence to be driving 25 miles and paying $5/bottle, though...lol

[learningrawways]

Thanks for posting that link aleigh, here it turns out in at all our health food stores, though I have tried looking for it in those stores and didn't see it. Maybe I just went at the wrong times.

Alanna

[Rawkinlocs]

I just bought a bottle of this (rasberry) from the co-op. First taste was like, "It's okay...kinda like vinegar" but then after a few more sips, I like it now. One question though, there's something floating around in it...is this normal? Is it like the "mother" found in apple cider vinegar?

[Veganforlife]

Yep, that's the "mother" in it. Just shake it up and enjoy. It's good stuff!

[Rawzula]

I've never drank Kombucha tea at all:eek:

Must find a HFS that sells them!

[RainbowAngel]

I Think it's heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

When i drink it i feel great too!

Thanks.

[learningrawways]

I finally tried some--got a couple of bottles (expensive at $3.99 a bottle) of the gingerberry. I liked it and it gave me fuzzy burps lol. I gave some to my husband, he liked it too and he said it gave him a feeling of well being. I've had a cold for the last week and that night I had lots of energy. My daughter tried it and she didn't like it AT ALL--she said it was bitter and had to make herself drink it. I didn't think it tasted bitter at all, there was a slight different taste but heck, I really liked it and will definitely drink it again. Alanna

[Rawkinlocs]

Yep, that's the "mother" in it. Just shake it up and enjoy. It's good stuff!

Thanks Veganforlife! :)

[misslinda]

I just bought a bottle of this (rasberry) from the co-op. First taste was like, "It's okay...kinda like vinegar" but then after a few more sips, I like it now. One question though, there's something floating around in it...is this normal? Is it like the "mother" found in apple cider vinegar?


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rawkie, I hate that thing.........I remember when one time, I freaked out when that "thing" touched my lips..............my sis freaks out tooo. I never ingest it. :p

[JGex]

The amount of alcohol as a result of the fermentation is negligible, hardly enough to get anyone high even if you drink the whole bottle.

There was a discussion about this on another raw board and it was determined that the bottled or even homemade may not be entirely raw.

Personally, that is not an issue for me. I like it. I believe there are some health benefits from it. I will continue to drink it.

[misslinda]

JGex, even the floater thingy? :)

[JGex]

JGex, even the floater thingy? :)

MissLinda, the first time I drank one, I inadvertantly drank the floater thingy.... had that "moment" where I wondered if I was going to upchuck, then realized it was only a mental issue. I used to eat raw oysters, so a little slimey mushroom ain't nuttin!

[Rawkinlocs]

LOL! Yeah Linda and JGex, I think I would have had a hissy FIT if I had drank that floater thingy - I actually removed it from my beverage or else I would not be able to really drink it - I know it's all mental...but that floaty stuff looks GROSS!

JGex, I was looking at a website on how that stuff is made and no, I don't think it's "truly" raw either due to the process of making the actual tea for the kombucha...but it does become a LIVING food due to the fermentation process...similar to the nama shoyu that uses cooked soybeans, but then during fermentation it becomes living. I have no qualms about drinking it either - except for that floater! ;)

[misslinda]

LOL, I kid you not, my sis and I scream when it touches our lips.....

OYsters? I always thought of it as PHLEGM :D

Rawkie did you mean you visited their website or Kombucha tea making in general?

[Rawkinlocs]

Well, I went to their website first and from there, was lead to another website about actually making kombucha. I don't know if the Synergy folks use the exact same procedure or not, though.

[JGex]

LOL! Yeah Linda and JGex, I think I would have had a hissy FIT if I had drank that floater thingy - I actually removed it from my beverage or else I would not be able to really drink it - I know it's all mental...but that floaty stuff looks GROSS!

JGex, I was looking at a website on how that stuff is made and no, I don't think it's "truly" raw either due to the process of making the actual tea for the kombucha...but it does become a LIVING food due to the fermentation process...similar to the nama shoyu that uses cooked soybeans, but then during fermentation it becomes living. I have no qualms about drinking it either - except for that floater! ;)

Yes... that's what I was trying to say!

I'm laughing about the "floater" thing.... let's just say we use use the term for something else entirely!

:o

[JGex]

LOL, I kid you not, my sis and I scream when it touches our lips.....

OYsters? I always thought of it as PHLEGM :D

Rawkie did you mean you visited their website or Kombucha tea making in general?

They are a little like a lung biscuit..... but they sure taste good. I wouldn't touch 'em now because of the water pollution.

:eek:

[Veganforlife]

Blech!!!! :eek: :p

[misslinda]

They are a little like a lung biscuit..... but they sure taste good. I wouldn't touch 'em now because of the water pollution.

:eek:


OOPS, I was referring to the floater thingy.........it's someone's phelgm :)

[Green Life]

I have tried it for the first time and the last (famous last words, LOL!)

It tastes really wrong! Something about it is carbonated and strong at the same time.

It's horrible in my opionion.

It really does a number on my stomach. Makes it feel like my tummie is going to explode.

Has anyone else experianced this?

[JGex]

OOPS, I was referring to the floater thingy.........it's someone's phelgm :)

Whoops! I misunderstood.... but, yeah, same sort of sensation..... ;)

[mershwista]

I have tried it for the first time and the last (famous last words, LOL!)

It tastes really wrong! Something about it is carbonated and strong at the same time.

It's horrible in my opionion.

It really does a number on my stomach. Makes it feel like my tummie is going to explode.

Has anyone else experianced this?

Sorry it does that to you :(

But I guess just like anything else, kombucha isn't going to be everyone's favorite. It can take a while to get used to fermented foods, though. My guess is you'd probably be equally wavery about trying raw saurkraut, fermented nut cheese, or rejuvelac drinks.

[tinystrawberry]

i am currently addicted to Kombucha. I LOVE MYSTIC MANGO! and Divine Grape
I wish I had one right now and I'm thinking of asking my mom to bring THREE home for me. :D :D :D

[mershwista]

The mango one was the first one I ever bought, and it is still my favorite, even though I have tried many of the flavors by now.

Tinystrawberry, do your parents support your raw food diet? I know whenever I visit my dad's house he gets weirded out even by the idea that I'm vegan.

[Elizabeth]

It goes down so smooth...LOL...;)

My favorite flavours are the grape, strawberry, mango and guava. I like them best when I am all raw or fasting. When I have "cooked food palate" they do not taste so good to me...


:D

[hypnocmt]

Well, when you can't get the worm from the tequila bottle, you settle for Kombucha floaters. lol

[mershwista]

Well, when you can't get the worm from the tequila bottle, you settle for Kombucha floaters. lol

True, true...that makes me laugh :p

Personally I find even the slimy kombucha floaters more appetizing than a worm anyday...

[rawsurfer]

When I drank the stuff it tasted alright, quite different, so I kept on drinking it. I started to feel a familiar sensation coming over me (even though I hadn't drank in almost 3 months) and looked on the back and lo and behold it had alcohol in it. now i didnt sleep the night before...somtimes i get insomnia. but ya i got a buzz and i didnt enjoy it. i am used to having so much energy now and the buzz just brought me down and desensetized me from my body, which i dont like. when i was eating SAD that buzz would give me extra energy, but its a whole differnt story now.

i dont know why they dont card you for buying it when it has .5 % alc and they card you for odouls and it has the same... i duno. i was reading someones post that said you should work your way up to larger doses... dont you think it is possible that is to develop a tolerance for the small amount of alcohol... this in turn will slow ur metabolism.

im not trying to criticize but that is my experience and thoughts. by all means do what you want but do yourself a favor and look for the real reason you love the drink so much. and think about the kids that try it and dont like it. seems similar to how alcohol tasted bad when we were little but we acquired a taste for it. did you or do you enjoy the taste of alcohol? that could be why you enjoy the kombucha so much.

just thoughts. i am not judging anyone... this side of the discussion wasnt really presented though so i figured i would give you my 2 cents... or more like 25 sory about the long post.
peace:D

[tinystrawberry]

Mershwista ; My mom supports me 100%
My dad doesn't know much about it ( i don't see him much, i live with my mom) but i've told him that I'm only eating raw and he said "that sounds tough, yer crazy" but i think he supports me too.

dads are weirder about it i think (most of the time anyway..) :p

[tinystrawberry]

Elizabeth - THEre's strawberry kombucha????

[queenb]

I've made Kombucha tea for about a year now and it tastes great and has many health benefits. However, the Kombucha tea I make doesn't come out carbonated, well very slightly carbonated, and doesn't have any sort of fruity flavor. They must add that at the end of the process when they bottle it. I have also heard that the Kombucha tea will taste different depending on the mushroom starter that you use. I ordered my starter online and have been really happy about it. I have about 4 baby mushrooms if anyone is interested in making their own kombucha. It is really fun and seems milder to me than the store bought stuff, which I also love. Each batch usually takes about 3 weeks to ferment though, so if you have a Kombucha habit you will have to take that into consideration. Don't want to run out now do we!

I just realized that this thread is kind of old so I hope you guys get this message...

[RawNubian]

I just had this tea last night after my run, the mango one and I loved it! I like the carbonation, tastes like a fruit spritzer!
I know people already mentioned the price...$3.99 a bottle is a little pricey for me but I used to buy Naked and Odwalla juices for that price so I should probably get over it.
Anyway, I can't wait to try more flavors! I love that fermented taste!

[rawsurfer]

after being raw for 3 somthing months and being drug and alcohol free since new years day, when i drank kombucha for the first time i thought it was something i ate that made me feel bad. i had a total buzz, and i did not enjoy the feeling at all. coming from being in total awareness of everything to a woozy state really caught me off guard and upset me. i looked on the back of the bottle and sure enough "this product may contain up to .5% alc due to fermentation). i must add the disclaimer here that i had not slept well the night before (the last insomnia i have had since going raw! hooray!), but still, it felt as if i had drank at least half a beer. i did about 15 more test trials of the stuff just to make sure; i love the taste sooo much, and i just love carbonation). call it a placebo effect for all you law of attraction nutters out there (ha kidding im one of em!), but i just couldnt drink half a bottle without getting that feeling. it was like my brain stopped working, and i wasnt myself. i decided i have had enough. if i want to get my flora, i will get it from rejuvelac, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, and unwashed veggies from my aunts organic garden. plus, although i could be wrong, rejuvelac has the entire spectrum of essential intestinal flora, while kombucha has only 2 types of bacteria.

also, the makers even say start small and work your way up to a full bottle. i interpret that as give your body some time to develop a tolerance to the alcohol. i am not judging, please understand that. i just feel this side of the story isnt really said too much in this forum, and i believe (according to fact as well) that any amount of alcohol cant be good for you. i like my fruit better.

sorry for disturbing the peace.

peace

[RawChicky]

after being raw for 3 somthing months and being drug and alcohol free since new years day, when i drank kombucha for the first time i thought it was something i ate that made me feel bad. i had a total buzz, and i did not enjoy the feeling at all. coming from being in total awareness of everything to a woozy state really caught me off guard and upset me. i looked on the back of the bottle and sure enough "this product may contain up to .5% alc due to fermentation). i must add the disclaimer here that i had not slept well the night before (the last insomnia i have had since going raw! hooray!), but still, it felt as if i had drank at least half a beer. i did about 15 more test trials of the stuff just to make sure; i love the taste sooo much, and i just love carbonation). call it a placebo effect for all you law of attraction nutters out there (ha kidding im one of em!), but i just couldnt drink half a bottle without getting that feeling. it was like my brain stopped working, and i wasnt myself. i decided i have had enough. if i want to get my flora, i will get it from rejuvelac, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, and unwashed veggies from my aunts organic garden. plus, although i could be wrong, rejuvelac has the entire spectrum of essential intestinal flora, while kombucha has only 2 types of bacteria.

also, the makers even say start small and work your way up to a full bottle. i interpret that as give your body some time to develop a tolerance to the alcohol. i am not judging, please understand that. i just feel this side of the story isnt really said too much in this forum, and i believe (according to fact as well) that any amount of alcohol cant be good for you. i like my fruit better.

sorry for disturbing the peace.

peace



I have never had alcohol before, and after drinking the kombucha tea, I did feel totally out of it and weird. Seems like an awful small amount of alcohol to have an affect, but something made me feel totally messed up. I could also smell alcohol on my breath!

[xinmywayx]

I like the Citrus and Guava flavors. I admit that the stringy slimey stuff in the Citrus is a bit of a turn off for me. I know it won't hurt me and I am sure it is good for me but aI just cant get past the slime texture! Other than that I love the bubbly taste, a good stand in for soda for me =) My friends think it is horrible stuff!

[Zuri]

I ain't feeling kombucha or that buzz I felt from it. At first as I drank it I thought, oh wow, I can feel the energy in my body! Haha, then I figured out it was the alcohol. I can say I did try it though. I have two bottles sittin' in my 'fridge that I wish I could give away but nobody I know drinks it, hehe.

[MorningRuby]

Hey all :)

This lady I used to work with gave me the mushroom to make kamboocha for myself a long time ago. I don't have it anymore and would love to start drinking the tea again. Does anyone know where I can buy the tea or the mushroom (preferably the mushroom b/c while it's expensive at first, it lasts forever b/c a new baby mushroom grows from the older one so you have endless amounts of kamboocha!!!) Please let me know. :)

[queenb]

Morning Ruby-
I have a mushroom I can send to you. Actually I think I have like 5 baby mushrooms and they made nice mild Kombucha for me. So email me your info and I'll send you one or more if you want them. They are just sitting there being neglected at my mom's house in CT and here I am in FL wishing for some of my dynamite homebrew! I wanted to bring them with me in the car when I drove down here but there wasn't any room and we were leary of a spill. Didn't want to drive 1300 miles with a 4 year old and a car that smells like booze! Ya know what I mean? :o

[Naiad]

I like the Grape and Gingerberry the best :)

[SchoolOfRAWk]

I brew many many MANY gallons at all times.

I love it. I feel better on it. Thicker hair, more energy, just better health in general.

I brew because I cannot afford my Synergy habit. lol! I love grape and STRAWBERRY and trilogy. Mango, too. I would never kick any of them out of my fridge, though. lol!

[SchoolOfRAWk]

The alcohol content is like the same that is in raw kraut.... barely any. I think the fermentation makes it FEEL like alcohol because it's warm and relaxing.

Also, in Europe the therapuetic dose is 1 - 2 quarts a day. I started out at that amount and was fine. I drank more sometimes.

[queenb]

SchoolofRawk-
Does your homemade Kombucha smell/taste more like cider vinegar than the Synergy brands? Mine does and isn't really carbonated. How long do you let it ferment for? Have you ever tried using honey to start it? Some people say it's ok to use it and some say not to. Seems like everyone has their own way of doing it...

[SchoolOfRAWk]

No, don't use honey. That is never advised, honestly. It will not brew right.

I used organic cane sugar... now I use regular white sugar!! Shocking, but it works best for me and the culture eats the sugar, not me! :-)

I brew mine from 10days/2weeks to one month. In the summer, it brews faster.

Tartness/vinegary taste is high priority for me, so I brew it longer/stronger. Synergy brews a long time, too. ;-) In warmth. My friend just harvested some almost 2 month old K and it is STRONG!!!! Whoah! Good, though.

Fizz is overrated. Synergy is not fizzy once you drink it and set it in the fridge. Mine is fizzy when I pour it off. After I refrigerate it, it isn't always. Still a bit 'bubbly' and way good.

[queenb]

SchoolofRawk-
Thanks for the info. I just thought I might be letting it ferment too long and that is why it was vinegary. Now I know that it is just blessed powerful!
Peace.

[Naiad]

I'd love to start brewing my own, but, I'm nervous I'd do it wrong :o

I need to find a class to teach me how or maybe a Youtube :p

[emarti03]

Does anyone else feel the little bit of alcohol that's in kombucha? Everytime I drink it, I can feel the alcohol running through the muscles in my legs and arms. I'm not saying its a bad thing, just curious.

[VeggieMel]

I can definitely feel it. I hardly ever drink alcohol, so I think I'm a lightweight.

[MorningRuby]

Morning Ruby-
I have a mushroom I can send to you. Actually I think I have like 5 baby mushrooms and they made nice mild Kombucha for me. So email me your info and I'll send you one or more if you want them. They are just sitting there being neglected at my mom's house in CT and here I am in FL wishing for some of my dynamite homebrew! I wanted to bring them with me in the car when I drove down here but there wasn't any room and we were leary of a spill. Didn't want to drive 1300 miles with a 4 year old and a car that smells like booze! Ya know what I mean? :o


Hunny, you rock! I would appreciate that sooo much, I can't even tell you. I'll email you my info...my email is morningruby@gmail.com.

[MorningRuby]

When I used to brew it, it was always VERY apple- vinegary tasting but I just assumed that was how it was supposed to be. I LOVED the benefits of drinking it though. Tons of energy all day long, my hair grew like crazy...and maybe this is TMI but my sexual energy was up the wall! I loved it. For 2 yrs or so now I've had a problem with no motivation to play which earlier was alright, but I'm recently married now and I want to be close with my husband! Just curious too, has anyone else experienced that side effect?????

[NifteThrifte]

My girlfriend and I just bought our first bottles of kombucha! She got the strawberry one and I got the ginger one ( I was craving gingerale). First of all, I didn't expect them to be bubbly so I shook mine, rather hard. Ginger kombucha all over my lap. Smells and looked like I was drunk and pissed my pants. Haha, I didn't like the ginger one too much, the strawberry is good but I would love to try the grape one, wine sounds splendid!

[Kate H]

I love the grape, cranberry and one other which name escapes me at the moment. Downside is the price, upside is they are like a zingy soda. No sugars added at all as far as I could tell but I'm not looking at a label right now.

They get real fizzy which makes shaking them and then opening them difficult.

Someone mentioned candida and fermented foods in the same sentence---do fermented foods contribute to or help eradicate candida?

[SchoolOfRAWk]

fermented foods aren't anti-fungal, they build the probiotics that prevent candida and maintain a natural balance. They are an essential part of the protocol, to treat and protect against it.

the GRAPE and STRAWBERRY are my favorite. And Trilogy! Mango is good too.

I know people who get horny from wheatgrass, so I don't doubt it. Kombucha recharges EVERYthing, I guess. It's pure energy. :-)

[Dimond]

Tried the 100% raw formula today. Didn't like the taste because I stopped drinking soda years ago. I'm reminded of how disgusting soda is. I haven't had alcohol in years and normally could easily get drunk on very little. Drank the whole bottle in 3 servings within a 2 hr period on an empty stomach. Didn't feel any different. Figured being 100% raw for so long that it would affect me.

[RawSweetie]

Hi all~

My sister (age 40) shared with me that she and her husband (46) are both suffering lately from serious heartburn. My sister is vegetarian SAD and my BIL is omnivore SAD. Does anyone have experience with kombucha being helpful?

Or another suggestion? I'm all ears. They are under alot of stress right now and I think that's exacerbating/causing the heartburn.

Thanks!

[walnutty]

Just shake it up and enjoy. It's good stuff!

NO!

Never, never, never shake it up! I made that mistake ONCE and once is enough. It will go everywhere! :eek:


p.s. The "Strawberry Serenity" is my favorite!

p.s.s. I also find that it suppresses appetite...