Is there alcohol in Kombucha?

Kombucha is a soft drink and a healthy and very tasty one but, Yes there is a tiny small amount. Everything depends on the process of fermentation and the way the producer makes the Kombucha.

Usually anything which is fermented, usually turns into a something which can contain traces of alcohol.  But, this doesn’t make it an alcoholic beverage!

So, How much alcohol is there then?

Some soft drinks and juice naturally contain trace amounts of alcohol, and we don’t even think about it. Orange juice, sparkling apple juice, ginger beer to name some examples.

Alcohol is a natural byproduct of fermentation so, as with any fermented drink, Kombucha does contain little alcohol. As a general guide, kombucha alcohol levels can range from 0.2 to 1.2%, depending on production and ingredients.

What about home brewed kombucha vs commercial brewed Kombucha?

Home brew Kombucha is not reliable, because it is not a controlled environment and many people don’t know exactly what they are doing.
This is where it can get tricky.  Homebrewers may use higher temperatures,than in commercial breweries to try to ensure any harmful bacteria is eliminated and this can cause the alcohol level to rise. They may also ferment longer to get a fizzer result, which can also have the effect of making a boozy brew.  That’s not to say homebrewed is not for you, it just has to be managed properly.

Commercial brewers (even small batch ones), ensure that temperatures are accurately controlled and timing is everything. Here at Kombucha by Laurent, it is very controlled.

Kombucha by Laurent, we brew with only the finest organic teas with no added fruits or flavourings in our drinks which helps to keep the sugar, and hence the fermentation and alcohol stable and very low.