*This is not a sponsored post, but I kind of wish it was…*
Over the weekend, my boyfriend and I took a trip to Target. It was there that I decided 2019 will be the year I finally try kombucha.
If you haven’t heard of kombucha before, Wikipedia calls it
a fermented, slightly alcoholic, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly intended as a functional beverage for its supposed health benefits. Sometimes the beverage is called kombucha tea to distinguish the name from the kombucha culture of bacteria and yeast.
So, who knows how accurate all of that is. The key takeaway is that kombucha has probiotics and it seems to have Dr. Oz’s stamp of approval.
It’s also become increasingly popular (among a small subset of shoppers) over the last few years—hence its presence at Target. And while I’m not usually all that eager to join in on the latest fads—be they fashion-related, diets and workouts, or reading that cringeworthy Girl, Wash Your Face series—as you can see, I am, in fact, conscious of what the kids find cool these days.
Not to mention the fact that I’m a huge hypochondriac and swear off all drugs, so when I find out about potentially-fun-to-drink healthy beverages, I’m usually willing to give them a go.
So, let’s get into the review, shall we?
I tried the Kevita Master Brew as a first-time kombucha drinker, and I’m sorry to say I just wasn’t crazy about it.
The Smell
I won’t use words like “bouquet” or even “aroma.” This drink has a smell, and it’s not a great one.
It reminds me a bit of vinegar, actually, and I don’t think that’s reflective of the flavoring; I think that’s the smell of the kombucha itself.
All I can say is: I’m not a fan.
It smells like something you’d drink for your health.
The Taste
The taste is…. not good. I’ve definitely tasted better.
Now, in kombucha’s defense, the pineapple/ peach flavor is certainly strong—and that’s what I suspect is turning me off. If you’ve ever had canned peaches, it tastes just like that, with a splash of super-concentrated pineapple juice.
I think if there were a more neutral flavor available, I might actually enjoy drinking kombucha. But at our Target, there wasn’t much selection other than the Kevita brand, and all of the flavors were weird two-part combinations—like Lemon Ginger, Watermelon Rose, and Pineapple Peach. In my mind, Pineapple Peach sounded the least offensive, but now that I’ve tasted it, I’m not so sure.
Drinking It
I already knew kombucha was carbonated going into this, but there’s just something about the bubbles that makes it different from anything else I’ve ever tried—it almost creates a pinching or tingling sensation on the tongue. It’s like millions of tiny little crabs are pinching the inside of your mouth. (I’m really selling this stuff, aren’t I?)
And although I’ve only drank a few ounces at a time, something about this kombucha always seems to give me heartburn (I’m having my third and final tasting as I’m writing this review). I don’t know what that’s all about—if this stuff is supposed to be so great for you, then why does it upset my stomach so much? (Leave a comment if you know more about this.)
My Overall Thoughts
I’d be willing to try another flavor—maybe even one from a different brand—but overall, I don’t see myself ever craving this stuff, and if it didn’t have probiotics, I’d probably never try it again.
So as far as flavor and “drinkability” goes, I’d give the Kevita Master Brew Kombucha in Pineapple Peach a 5 out of 10; it’s just not for me.
If you drink kombucha, please comment below and tell me which drinks you recommend most!
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