Kombucha

Summer Fancy Food Show

Functional beverages must balance consumer, environmental benefits with price

07-Jul-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The functional beverage category is growing at a rapid clip as consumers look for fast, easy ways to support their on-the-go lifestyles and their health, but not all ingredients, products and platforms are created equally and the segment faces significant...

Health-Ade CMO says kombucha “is here to stay,” ready for growth

30-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With a new can format and marketing campaign geared towards younger consumers, Health-Ade is looking to grow its brand and expand its base by tapping into occasions and capitalizing on greater consumer awareness of gut health, Health-Ade CMO Charlotte...

Can prebiotics and probiotics beverages grow together? Brew Dr. CEO says yes

24-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Oregon-based organic kombucha brand Brew Dr. is going "a little bit bolder, a little bit bigger" with its new branding and flavors as the company looks to expand household penetration amidst a growing competitive landscape in the functional...

Study: kombucha flattens postprandial glycemic and insulin response

20-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

When kombucha is consumed with a high-GI meal there is a clinically significant reduction in postprandial glycemic and insulin index (GI and II) response, when compared with water, according to new research.

GUEST ARTICLE: Outdated law should be changed to support post-pandemic job growth in kombucha industry

14-Sep-2021 By Hannah Crum, president, Kombucha Brewers International

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on the US economy, but one industry that has continued to see growth-- and even increased demand, with the renewed interest in health brought on by the crisis-- is kombucha.

First Bev acquires controlling stake of Health-Ade and names new CEO

18-Aug-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

First Bev has acquired a controlling stake in kombucha brand Health-Ade with additional investment from Manna Tree and Vail. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Aussie brand Remedy Drinks brings zero-sugar kombucha stateside

09-Jul-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As the #1 selling brand in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and the fourth largest kombucha company globally, producing more than 90 million cans per year, Remedy Drinks is seeking to replicate its success in the US market where it says consumers are...

GT Dave backs The Kombucha Act: ‘Legislators understand the logic behind updating the law’

21-May-2021 By Elaine Watson

Once the ABV of kombucha exceeds 0.5%, it’s classified as an alcoholic beverage. The KOMBUCHA Act would raise that threshold to 1.25% ABV, enabling brands to sell ‘authentic’ raw kombucha using traditional methods without becoming subject to federal alcohol...

‘We learned a lot of lessons…’ GT’s Living Foods discontinues Dream Catcher CBD line

21-May-2021 By Elaine Watson

Kombucha market leader GT’s Living Foods has withdrawn its CBD-infused Dream Catcher functional beverage line, with founder GT Dave acknowledging that regulatory uncertainty and a slightly confused consumer proposition both played a role.

KOMBUCHA Act reintroduced in Congress: ‘There’s no reason why kombucha brewers and sellers should get taxed like beer’

25-Mar-2021 By Elaine Watson

The ABV threshold at which kombucha switches from a non-alcoholic beverage to what is effectively 'beer' for tax purposes is currently set at 0.5%. The KOMBUCHA Act, reintroduced to Congress by Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Senator...

Wild Tonic taps into growth opportunities within kombucha: 'We're helping the category continue to grow'

24-Feb-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha (fermented from honey and green tea instead of traditional cane sugar and black tea) is banking on several growth trends in the kombucha category this year including its refreshed slim cans and expanding line of hard kombucha.

Are tax rules impacting kombucha in need of a revamp? KOMBUCHA Act to be reintroduced in Congress

10-Feb-2021 By Elaine Watson

The ABV threshold at which kombucha switches from a non-alcoholic beverage to what is effectively 'beer' for tax purposes is currently set at 0.5%. The KOMBUCHA Act, set to be reintroduced to Congress this session, provided the right tax vehicle...

Kombucha sales are still growing, but velocities are declining, reports SPINS

21-Sep-2020 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of refrigerated kombucha and other fermented beverages edged up 2.4% to $703.2m in measured channels* in the year to July 12, 2020, with dollar sales up 5.1% in the conventional (MULO) channel but down -6.1% in the natural channel, delegates...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Better Booch expands nationally entering new Whole Foods regions, sees 320% growth of canned kombucha line

17-Aug-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Better Booch has grown from a Southern California kombucha brand with a cult following to distribution at over 2,000 retail locations including new partnerships with Whole Foods Southern Pacific, Southwest and Northern California regions.

What is an ‘authentic’ kombucha? KBI publishes long-awaited code of practice, proposes industry seal

14-Jul-2020 By Elaine Watson

After years of debate - and a wave of lawsuits - over what kombucha is and how it is made, trade association Kombucha Brewers International (KBI) has released a code of practice outlining quality standards it claims will help “protect the integrity of...

Fun and functionality? Health-Ade bids for slice of $35bn soda market, with launch of Health-Ade Booch Pop

29-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

Health-Ade – the fastest-growing brand in the $1bn kombucha market – is hoping to capture a slice of the $35bn soda category with the launch of Health-Ade Booch Pop, a sparkling organic beverage made with a base of kombucha and cold pressed juice, unlocking...

KeVita unveils new look as brand owner PepsiCo seeks to shine in 'crowded' - and slowing - kombucha category

10-Mar-2020 By Elaine Watson

KeVita has unveiled a new look for its kombuchas, sparkling probiotic drinks and apple cider vinegar tonics that brand owner PepsiCo says will help it better stand out on shelf as sales slow in the kombucha category.

Humm breaks new ground in the kombucha category with zero sugar, shelf-stable line

26-Feb-2020 By Elaine Watson

Humm Kombucha is tapping into consumer demand for low and no sugar options in the beverage aisle with the launch of an industry first: shelf-stable, zero sugar kombucha that it hopes will attract new consumers into the category.

Brew Dr Kombucha targeted in second lawsuit over levels of 'probiotic bacteria'

06-Nov-2019 By Elaine Watson

Brew Dr Kombucha has been targeted for the second time in a proposed class action lawsuit alleging discrepancies between the amount of beneficial bacteria stated on pack and the amount found in the bottle.

Court approves $4m settlement with Health-Ade over sugar, alcohol levels in kombucha

25-Oct-2019 By Elaine Watson

An agreement whereby Health-Ade will pay out almost $4m to settle two lawsuits alleging discrepancies between the sugar and alcohol levels in its kombucha and those stated on pack has been approved by a California court. The firm has also agreed to make...

GT’s Living Foods launches easy-to-drink Aqua Kefir targeting wider consumer audience

07-Oct-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

GT’s Living Foods is going after the non-kombucha drinker with its newly-launched aqua kefir line, a variety of fermented beverages with a less acidic taste profile than kombucha.

KBI enlists consultant to review proposed kombucha standard of identity

27-Aug-2019 By Elaine Watson

Kombucha Brewers International (KBI), has contracted with EAS Consulting Group independent consultant April Kates to review a proposed standard of identity for kombucha designed to help preserve the integrity of the category as it grows.

Better Booch raises $2.5m entering new outlets and channels this year: 'I think this industry has a long way to go before it reaches its peak'

26-Jun-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Better Booch has closed a $2.5m seed round led by venture arm Crush Ventures and hired Josh Rosinsky -- formerly with SIPP eco beverage co. -- as its VP of sales to launch a direct-to-consumer business and expand into new outlets.

Aqua ViTea: The kombucha industry has not dealt with its alcohol problem

24-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

Raising the threshold above which kombucha would be classified as an alcoholic beverage from 0.5% to 1.25% abv, is not the way to deal with the industry’s alcohol problem, says Vermont-based kombucha brand Aqua ViTea, which utilizes spinning cone technology...

What's an 'authentic' kombucha? Let the market decide, say Rowdy Mermaid and Camellia Grove

07-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

Trade association Kombucha Brewers International (KBI) wants lawmakers to raise the threshold above which kombucha would be classified as an alcoholic beverage from 0.5% to 1.25% abv, and is gearing up to publish a standard of identity for ‘authentic’...

GT Dave backs kombucha standard of identity: 'I hope this will encourage people to take the high road'

01-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

Defining what kombucha is – and just as importantly, what it isn’t – is mission critical if industry pioneers are to preserve the integrity of the category as more brands enter the segment, argues GT Dave, founder of market leader GT’s Living Foods.

Laird Superfood 'pushing hard' into corporate offices and food service with on-tap kombucha

26-Apr-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Laird Superfood has entered the kombucha category -- not just because it's a market with consistently strong sales growth, said co-founder and CEO Paul Hodge -- but because the company wants to offer consumers the same type of products that its founder...

'We're not trying to keep anyone out of the market'

What is an ‘authentic’ kombucha? KBI gears up to publish definition

22-Apr-2019 By Elaine Watson

As a wave of lawsuits has brought the debate over what kombucha is and how it is made into sharper focus, trade association Kombucha Brewers International (KBI) is putting the finishing touches on a standard it claims will help preserve the integrity...

Highlights from Kombuchakon 2019

Kombucha and fermented beverage sales are up 21%, but velocities are down, says SPINS

20-Apr-2019 By Elaine Watson

US retail sales of refrigerated kombucha and other fermented beverages (including hard kombucha) were up 21% to $728.8m in measured channels* in the year to February 24, 2019 driven by strong distribution gains. However, velocities were down fairly sharply,...

WATCH: Bare Bucha and Stout Tanks unveil radical new approach to controlling alcohol in kombucha

20-Apr-2019 By Elaine Watson

A novel approach to brewing kombucha in stackable rectangular trays could help dramatically speed up the fermentation process and keep alcohol levels consistently below 0.5% abv, solving a major technical challenge for the industry, according to kombucha...

Revive Kombucha expands category with shelf-stable sparkling line in cans: 'This is a Red Pill moment'

19-Mar-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Revive Kombucha is taking a direct shot at the center aisle carbonated soft drink (CSD) consumer with a shelf-stable sparkling kombucha in 12-ounce cans that contains less sugar (5g) and lower calories (20 calories) than its raw refrigerated kombucha....

Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha raises $3.5m, plans move into cans

18-Feb-2019 By Elaine Watson

Boulder-based organic kombucha brand Rowdy Mermaid – which has carved out a distinct niche in the category with its herb and botanical infused beverages - has raised $3.5m in a Series A round, led by KarpReilly and supported by high profile investors...

KÖE organic kombucha: ‘We’ve created the easiest drinking kombucha on the market’

25-Jan-2019 By Elaine Watson

The kombucha category continues to chalk up double-digit growth, but not everyone likes the sour, vinegary taste associated with the fermented tea beverage, says the firm behind KÖE organic kombucha, billed as an “easy drinking” brand serving as a “bridge...

Coca-Cola enters kombucha category with acquisition of Organic and Raw Trading Co

19-Sep-2018 By Rachel Arthur

The Coca-Cola Company has acquired Australia's Organic & Raw Trading Co., which is the producer of the MOJO brand of naturally fermented, live culture, organic kombucha beverages.

Health Ade and Humm kombucha lawsuits to proceed (in part); case vs Rowdy Mermaid tossed

14-Sep-2018 By Elaine Watson

Attempts by top kombucha brands to dismiss lawsuits challenging their alcohol and sugar labeling have had mixed success, with two judges in the central district of California allowing false advertising cases filed by a rival to proceed (in part), but...

Do consumers expect kombucha to contain live organisms? Court gives green light to lawsuit

21-Aug-2018 By Elaine Watson

Do consumers expect products labeled as ‘kombucha’ to contain live organisms, even if they don’t make any claims to this effect? Maybe, according to a court filing in a case that could have broader ramifications for the burgeoning category going forward,...

Starbucks enters the kombucha category via Evolution Fresh brand

08-Aug-2018 By Elaine Watson

Starbucks is entering the fast-growing kombucha category with a new line of organic products under its Evolution Fresh brand.

Humm Kombucha grew sales by 125% in 2017: ‘The kombucha category is exploding’

06-Aug-2018 By Elaine Watson

Sales at Humm Kombucha surged by 125% in 2017, say its co-founders, who are developing a production facility in Roanoke Virginia three times the size of their current 40,000sq ft facility in Bend, Oregon, and claim to have developed a patent-pending process...

Health-Ade Kombucha CEO: ‘We’re building a plane and flying it full speed at the same time’

03-Aug-2018 By Elaine Watson

In the early days, the economics of making organic kombucha – by hand – were not for the faint of heart, recalls Health-Ade co-founder Daina Trout during a tour of the company’s production facility in Torrance, CA, with FoodNavigator-USA. “We were making...