kombucha

noun

kom·​bu·​cha ˌkäm-ˈbü-chə  -shə 

plural kombuchas

1

: a somewhat effervescent fermented beverage prepared by fermenting black or green tea with sugar

Black or green tea, sugar, bacteria, yeast and often fruit. These are the main ingredients that make kombucha, a fermented drink that is brewed—similarly to craft beer—and served cold with a traditionally sweet and sour taste.

—Carlos Rico

The rise in kombucha's popularity is part of a larger trend in "probiotic" foods containing bacteria, which some studies suggest benefit digestion and boost the immune system.

—Malia Wollan

The first study on the content of kombuchas found large differences in the chemical and microbial profiles of kombuchas, but all for the good.

—Marlise Riffel

Hard kombucha doesn't necessarily mean booze was added; producers intentionally ferment the tea longer to increase the alcohol content.

—Dawn MacKeen

2

: a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts which results from the fermentation process that produces kombucha : SCOBY

This tea's namesake ingredient, kombucha, is a mixed culture of yeasts and bacteria …

—Self Healing

Examples of kombucha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That led him to start brewing kombucha in his own kitchen. —Andrew Watman, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Plus, there’s a rotating selection of other crafts, plus ciders, kombuchas, housemade sodas, and other non-alcoholic options. —Laura Barrero, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea originally opened in 2016 and offers a variety of both local and national coffees, teas and kombuchas at locations in Chicago, Minneapolis and Dallas. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024

The New School Sour tastes more like a kombucha than a beer, but is delicious nonetheless. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2024

The 2,000-square-foot airport location is designed to showcase Novo’s signature beverage bar that will feature many beers and kombuchas on tap. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2023

Hard kombuchas differ from regular varieties in sugar, starter culture, and tea proportions. —Anthea Levi, Health, 14 Aug. 2023

Order this: Try a twist on a classic ice cream float — a kombucha float with Better kombucha or Harvest Roots kombucha. —Shauna Stuart | [e-mail], al, 26 June 2023

To drink there are kombuchas, hard seltzer cocktails made with fresh tropical fruit purées, wines and beer. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably misapplication of Japanese konbucha, kobucha "tea made from kelp," from kobu, konbu "kelp" + cha "tea"

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

kombucha

noun

kom·​bu·​cha ˌkäm-ˈbü-shə  -chə 

: a gelatinous mass of symbiotic bacteria (as Acetobacter xylinum) and yeasts (as of the genera Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces) grown to produce a fermented beverage held to confer health benefits

also : the beverage prepared by fermenting kombucha with black tea and sugar