REAL Kombucha Review: Summertime means it’s time for (non-alcoholic) fizz!

As soon as the weather is warmer and balmy evenings beckon, many of us will start thinking of sun-filled days and lazy brunches, lunches, and BBQs in the garden. And often, especially if it’s a celebration, opening a bottle of fizz adds to the occasion. But what if you don’t drink? Well, now is the time to discover the delights of non-alcoholic fizz! Especially REAL non-alcoholic Kombucha fizz!

I do enjoy a glass of fizz so was very happy to oblige when asked to try REAL Kombucha. And I was not disappointed! So often non-alcoholic versions of drinks, whether that’s beer, wine or spirits, don’t live up to the hype. But this certainly did.

But importantly, let’s put this into perspective. Kombucha is not just an alternative to champagne, prosecco or cava, whatever your fizz of choice is. It is a unique beverage category that is alcohol-free and provides great health properties because of the fermentation process.

REAL Kombucha is made by naturally fermenting loose-leaf teas. Yes, Kombucha isn’t made from grapes. It is actually a non-alcoholic sparkling tea!

Now, many of you may be tea drinkers. Personally, I don’t like the stuff! I never drink black tea although will occasionally drink green tea because of the health benefits.

So, rest assured, these drinks do not taste like tea!!

REAL Kombucha offers two varieties of sparkling tea: Royal Flush and Dry Dragon. Both have quite delicate flavours and I loved them both, although Royal Flush was my preference

REAL Royal Flush Kombucha

This is made from first flush Darjeeling tea from India which is known as The Champagne of Teas. The website describes the taste as developing, once fermented, into  “fruity notes of rhubarb, gooseberry, white peach and a touch of blackcurrant. Like a diamond cut from its raw stone.” How poetic!

I think Royal Flush, like the reputation in India of the tea from which it fermented, provides a great champagne alternative. Both the teas are very quaffable at any time, but Royal Flush has a more robust, edgy flavour that also works brilliantly with spicy foods such as a chilli stir fry or a Thai curry.

REAL Kombucha Dry Dragon

This is made from green tea from Hangzhou, Zheijiang province and ranks as one of the finest teas in China.

This as described as “very mellow, sweet and rounded in taste, the tea after fermentation produces citrus notes of sweet lemons and grapefruit, but with a delicate leafy undertone.” It really is a non-alcoholic sparkling fizz that you could happily crack open at just about any time – without the guilt!

Health Benefits of Kombucha

The REAL website does claim any health benefits for their sparking Kombucha teas, but these are some of the benefits that other health websites such as Healthline and the Mayo clinic extol.

• A potential source of probiotics. Many people are aware of a trend of including fermented foods in their diet as the process forms gut-friendly bacteria known as probiotics. However, it is important that any fermented products are made in the most stringent of hygienic conditions, which is certainly the case with REAL Kombucha.
• Contains antioxidants to fight free radicals that can damage the cells in our bodies.
• May reduce heart disease because it is thought it protects the bad LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation which may contribute to heart disease.
• May help manage Type 2 Diabetes because it helps to stabilise blood sugar levels.

Whatever your reason for drinking REAL non-alcoholic kombucha fizz, it has a big thumbs up from me!