How Much Caffeine is Really in Kombucha?
A Look at the Popular Sparkling Beverage
Kombucha, the sparkling fermented tea, has become a beloved beverage among the health-conscious community. This beverage originated in China 2,000 years ago. It was traditionally consumed for its health benefits.
Over the centuries, Kombucha has gained popularity worldwide. It has experienced a modern resurgence because of its numerous health benefits, particularly for digestion and gut health. But there's one question that bubbles up often: what about its caffeine content?
Caffeine: A Natural Stimulant
Caffeine is a natural substance found in coffee, tea, cacao plants, and some soft drinks. It is a renowned alertness booster and features heavily in our daily lives. Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system.
It helps to improve focus and reduce fatigue. In fact, over half of all American adults consume more than 300 mg of caffeine every day. To give you a snapshot of what this looks like, here's the typical caffeine content in some common items:
A cup of brewed coffee: 96 mg
A cup of decaffeinated coffee: 2 mg
A cup of tea: 47 mg
A can of regular cola: 22 mg
A can of energy drink: 29 mg
Kombucha: A Balance of Energy and Calm
Kombucha is brewed using tea, such as green, black, white, or oolong. As a result, it naturally contains caffeine. However, the caffeine content in Kombucha is relatively minimal.
It averages around just 15 mg per serving. This amount is barely noticeable even to those sensitive to caffeine. This balance is achieved through the fermentation process.
Yeast and bacteria naturally consume the caffeine during fermentation. The longer the fermentation, the lower the caffeine content. This property of Kombucha makes it a fantastic option for those looking to reduce their daily caffeine intake. It still provides a little bit of energy.
Unlike coffee, which can raise anxiety levels, tea – and by extension, Kombucha – has a calming effect on the drinker. The amino acid L-theanine is responsible for this effect. It works against caffeine's stimulative effects. As a result, you experience a calming effect 30-40 minutes after ingestion.
Caffeine Content: Comparing Kombucha Brands
Let's examine how different Kombucha brands stack up for caffeine content:
RISE Kombucha: Uses a unique fermentation process to naturally lower caffeine and sugar content. The caffeine content can be as low as 8.63 mg per 207 ml serving, depending on the flavor.
Health-Ade Kombucha: Contains a slightly higher caffeine concentration, with between 8 mg and 15 mg of caffeine per serving.
KeVita Masterbrew Kombucha: Owned by PepsiCo, KeVita's Kombucha contains a relatively higher caffeine content, averaging around 68 mg per 15.2 oz serving.
GT’s Kombucha: Offers about 4 mg to 8 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving.
Brew Dr. Kombucha: Has about 15 mg of caffeine per 14 oz bottle.
Worried about the Caffeine Content of Commercial Kombucha? Why Not Make Your Own!
Please see our Kombucha Recipe here to start making your kombucha today!
We pride ourselves on the quality of tea we import for our consumers. When Gnarbucha Kombucha Company in Jacksonville, Florida, gave us a project, we used our established quality standards. We made sure to source the best tea available.
Our Organic Northern Assam Black tea is inexpensive and makes a fantastic-tasting tea on its own. We blended this tea with other herbs like rooibos to make a kombucha blend. This blend is perfect for making your kombucha brew at home.
Making Kombucha at home allows you to customize your brew to your taste preferences. You can control the caffeine content. We have many varieties of herbal fruit blends to use as your flavoring.
Most of our tea blends contain 0 caffeine and make up the bulk of your Kombucha. This allows you to make a lightly caffeinated, almost caffeine-free beverage at home. This beverage contains all the probiotics of Kombucha.
Conclusion
Kombucha offers a unique balance of energy and calm. It is an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake while still enjoying a refreshing drink. Whether you choose a commercial brand or decide to brew your own at home, Kombucha can be a delightful addition to your daily routine. Please see our Kombucha Recipe here to start making your Kombucha today!