Fans of the fizzy fermented tea known as kombucha had few options locally to enjoy their favorite probiotic beverage — which tastes vaguely or pungently of vinegar depending on how long it's brewed.
It's Only Natural Market in Middletown now carries the antioxidant-rich Vermont-based Aqua Vitea Kombucha on tap in original flavor, ginger and elderberry. Customers can pour themselves 16-oz ($3.29) or 24-oz ($4.49) cups or a 64-oz refill ($9.99) or, purchase small glass bottle ($.99) or a 64-oz growler ($4.99) and refill them when needed.
It's on ecofriendly and money saving option for folks who love the simple beverage made from tea, sugar, water and what's known as a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast).
The scoby, often called a mushroom or "mother," is a living organism that like a sourdough starter can be reused for subsequent batches of Kombucha or shared with others.
According to Aqua Vitea, Kombucha has been "revered for centuries for its life-enhancing qualities."
During fermentation, the sugar and tea nutrients are converted into vitamins, enzymes, organic acids and probiotics.
It's Only Natural also sells GT's Organic Raw Kombucha in the refrigerated section in flavored like hibiscus and multi-green. You'll save about 80 cents per 16-oz bottle if you buy it on tap.
And you can reuse your glass containers indefinitely, something that besides the cost, prompted me to start brewing mine at home before ION got fresh Kombucha on tap.
My cashier told me the self-serve draught has been very popular with customers and the taste is noticeably better than The refrigerated variety.
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