G.T.'s Kombucha: A wonder food?

March 14, 5:12 PMOrganic Food ExaminerNatalie Rotunda

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An ad I saw recently clicked right away. I'd recently seen G.T.'s Kombucha (say kom-boo-cha) Tea---they call it Synergy---in our organic food co-op's cooler section. The ad hailed the drink as a probiotic that may not only aid the immune system but the digestive system, as well. I bought two of the 16-oz. bottles. I couldn't resist the ones named Guava Goddess and Cosmic Cranberry; six other flavors await future purchases. Though I'd decided to buy the drinks, I read the label and the information sold me further. The attractively-labeled glass bottle touts the claims that Kombucha supports anti-aging, healthy skin and hair, liver function, and body alkalinity; there are several other benefits.

Kombucha has been around a while, since the Tsin Dynasty (221 B.C.), so it's credibility as a health-promoting drink has passed the test of time, in my opinion. G.T.'s Dave started bottling his Kombucha in 1995. Previous to that, his mother beat breast cancer by drinking kombucha tea. By the way, kombucha goes by a couple of other names, such as Manchurian Tea, Tea Kvass, and others.

Once I arrived home from the co-op, I was anxious to try my discovery. I removed the clear plastic strip surrounding the screw-off lid, then I gently shook the bottle and poured about 2 ounces into a glass. Well, in all honesty, I don't love the taste as much as I love the health benefits; it tastes a little vinegary. I did notice that I felt better not long after I drained my glass, though.

Because the bottle is glass, it's easy to see strands floating in the liquid. I checked the label, and saw that Dave had removed any fears those strands might cause to new consumers. They're no cause for alarm, it turns out, and the strands are actually good for a person. They simply mean that the drink is living and active.

A couple of other points to pass along: Small amounts of caffeine hang around after the culturing process ends, but they're in small amounts that vary from handmade batch-to handmade batch. Most people don't even realize the the caffeine remnants are present.

Kombucha is a raw food, meaning that it isn't heated in any way. Raw foods are much better for us, whether they're fruits, veggies...or kombucha, which is perfectly safe to consume even though it hasn't undergone processing or pasteurizing. The reason: Cultures are grown in water, not soil, and that essentially removes possibilities for contamination.

It's important to know that, for those of us who seek alkaline, not acidic, foods and beverages, this is one great way to go. G.T.'s calls their product a wonder food---and with good reason. Check out their site to find where a store that carries it.