Kombucha is a fermented drink with its main ingredients as tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria. It’s most commonly consumed for its health benefits. Other juices and sugar are often added for extra flavor. Generally, kombucha tastes acidic and tart.
The flavor can depend on how the bacteria and yeast ferment, though. If they absorb most of the sugar, it will taste more tart. If the bacteria and yeast consume less, your kombucha will be sweeter. During the fermentation process, probiotics are formed so you don’t get a very smooth drinking experience with kombucha.
While it may be the most popular, kombucha is not the only probiotic health drink out there. There are some feasible alternatives that are just as tasty and good for you. These include Rejuvelac, Tepache, Kvass, fermented vegetable juice, water kefir, and ginger ale.
1. Rejuvelac
Rejuvelac is mainly made from wheat berries and other grains like quinoa or rye. The grains are left to ferment for a few days and then the drink is ready to be consumed. Like kombucha, rejuvelac can be made from home. However, you’re likely to get a more tasteful result from the store.Rejuvelac can be expected to have a citrusy flavor and it is fizzy. Drinking it cold is the most refreshing.
You can drink it as is or add in fruit juice of your choice for some extra flavor. Like kombucha, it’s known as a health drink. Rejuvelac gives your body more digestive enzymes, minerals, and many vitamins, especially B, C, and E. It’s a great way for people who don’t eat meat to get Vitamin B12.
2. Tepache
Tepache’s main ingredient is pineapples, normally the rind or peels of the fruit. It is a Mexican fermented drink that’s seasoned with cinnamon. It can also be sweetened with brown sugar, or a cube of unrefined cane sugar.
3. Kvass
Kvass is made from rye bread, which gives it a dark, coffee-looking color. It’s a traditional fermented drink from Slavic and Baltic European people. Its taste is earthy and malty like the bread. Kvass is often flavored with strawberries, raspberries, or herbs like mint.
The appearance of kvass is slightly cloudy from the bread used to make it. It’s light brown in color and has a sweet and sour taste. In addition to berries and herbs, kvass is also flavored with honey.
4. Fermented Vegetable Juice
Fermented vegetable juice is created by fermenting vegetables in water and then straining out the solid vegetables. Commonly it’s made using beetroot, but of course can be made with any vegetable one chooses. It’s popular in many countries because of the health benefits.
Fermented vegetable juices are packed with vitamins and good bacteria that the human body needs. They make for an especially good pick-me-up when you’re feeling drained of energy and lethargic.
5. Water Kefir
While water kefir exists, so does regular kefir. The main difference between the two is that water kefir does not contain any dairy. Water kefir is a carbonated beverage made from sugar water and water kefir grains. The combination of the two forms a grainy culture of bacteria and yeast.
The sugar water content in water kefir does decrease as it ages. The drink can also be made with coconut water which can give it a smoother flavor. Sugar is important because it provides the nutrients necessary to grains as they ferment. A popular flavoring for water kefir is lemon juice, but any type of flavoring can be added.
6. Ginger Ale
Homemade ginger ale has many more probiotics than store-bought ginger ale. It can be made at home simply with fresh ginger, water, and sugar. If most of us are familiar with any drink on this list, it’s ginger ale. Many people enjoy its flavor but it also has health benefits. Ginger ale can manage migraines, arthritis, nausea, and help aid digestion.
Its carbonation is comparable to soda, but instead of being sweet and sugary, ginger ale tastes more citrus-y. The flavor of ginger ale is mellow and it is essentially a ginger-flavored soft drink.
Final Thoughts
Kombucha is a widely available and massively popular acidic health drink. It’s made by fermenting yeast and bacteria, which forms probiotics. It can have many flavor add-ins. In addition to kombucha, there are many drinks made from a similar fermentation process that also have similar health benefits. Check out these drinks if you like kombucha but want to switch things up.