What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea (black or green), sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast called a SCOBY.
During fermentation, the sugar is transformed into organic acids, carbon dioxide, and probiotics, creating a fizzy drink with a slightly vinegary taste.
It’s often marketed as a healthy alternative to soda, packed with beneficial bacteria, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
But are its health benefits really backed by science?¹

The ancient roots of kombucha
Kombucha is believed to have originated in Manchuria, in northeastern China, around 220–221 BCE, during the Qin dynasty.
Known as chájūn, or “longevity tea,” it was used in traditional Chinese medicine for its supposed effects on digestion and life energy (qi).²