365 Days of Tea - Day 24: GT's Kombucha Trilogy.

I'm not gonna lie, kombucha is really strange at first. What I tired before was really just straight kombucha, this other one has fruit juices in it. Also slight site update, but I did add a donation button to my side bar, this isn't because I'm desperate, its moreso just to raise more fund to buy more tea, and bring more content to the blog. Its not a pity party.

Also if companies actually sent me packages, I should be getting them soon.

Teavana sent me a $25 gift card, which was, extremely awesome, but I don't know which teas to get. If you read this look at teavana's website and give me some ideas!

It looks pretty much the same, minus the colorful graphics on the bottle. It also states "Reawaken, rebirth, repurpose, redefine." I wonder if its going to bring me back to life if I died. KOMBUCHA ZOMBIES? 

Smell - It carries and strong vinegar tastes, which might be off-setting for some, but it isn't actually so bad. Its more like the smell of a strong pickle that doesn't have any dill in it. Its a bit lighter than the other one.

Taste - To my surprise, this one doesn't taste nearly as vinegary. It contains fruit juices this time, raspberry, lemon and ginger, so that probably off-sets the vinegar taste. Its very carbonated, which is nice since, I'm a recovering soda-addict and now that I no longer crave the sugar, or calories, I just miss the bubbles.

Overall - I'll admit that kombucha is gut wrenching the first time you experience. I mean there is actually flowing brown stuff in it, and it smells pretty off-putting for a drink. Honestly though, its extremely good for you and the taste grows on you, but I wouldn't recommend any original flavor's. This whole body is only 60 calories, and loaded with stuff thats good for your body. I think it's pretty freaking sweet.

365 Days of Tea - Day 20: GT's Kombucha.

I've been hearing about a tea product called Kombucha for a while now, and apparently there are actual bars they sell nothing but kombucha.

Kombucha is an interesting product, and the first I've ever heard of its kind. Its a lightly fermented sweetened black tea, that's produced with bacteria and yeast. Naturally it is carbonated, and alcoholic. (According to my research it usually contains .5%, but there are some with more or less) It also contains probiotics which are bacteria that assist the stomach with digestion as well as several other functions. Though, the one issue I'm seeing with kombucha is that if the product is made in less than sanitary conditions, you can get extremely sick, or worse. The liquid itself is a little strange because it looks like there are strains of stuff in the tea, which is just the probiotics. I wont post a photograph because its extremely unpleasing to look at.

Smell - It smells like a very weak vinegar with a hint of beer. Its honestly kind of nerve-wrecking your first time experiencing it because its not often I'd want to drink something that completely overwhelms my sense of smell.

Taste - Its hard to explain, but it doesn't taste like tea in anyway shape, or form. Its more like a hard cider, or beer with a vinegar-y a follow-up. Its interesting because at first I thought it was rather foul, but I kept trying to give it a chance, and I can say now that, even though, in words it doesn't sound all the great. Its drinkable.

Overall - Although my research has concluded that you're better off getting probiotics from yogurt because its lower risk of getting sick, if you try kombucha and generally like the taste, then its pretty good for you. Be forewarned though, that a bad batch could lead to serious illness or worse. Flavor-wise, its quite strange, but can be enjoyable in small amounts.

(2 and a half out of 5 tea leaves.)

Can be found at your local healthfood store.