Cultured Beverages
One of the most refreshing sources of active probiotics and herbal nutrition is an artisanal, lactofermented beverage. From slightly sweet and fruity, to salty and slightly sour, our Kombuchas, Kefirs, Juns, Kvasses and Cabbage Tonics offer something for every palate. To support a healthy microbiome, drink at least 4 ounces a day.
Beets are sliced and cultured in water with yogurt whey and Celtic sea salt to make this traditional tonic drink. Sally Fallon Morell describes this drink as being "valuable for its medicinal qualities and as a digestive aid. Beets are just loaded with nutrients. One 4-ounce glass, morning and night, is an excellent blood tonic, promotes regularity, aids digestion, alkalizes the blood, cleanses the liver and is a good treatment for kidney stones and other ailments..." (Nourishing Traditions, page 608)
Ingredients: beets,* yogurt whey,* Celtic sea salt (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free.
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, nightshade-free, and GAPS & Paleo Diets-friendly.
Organic darjeeling tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with cherry and ginger juice to produce a mildly tart, not too sweet drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, darjeeling tea*, cane sugar*, cherry juice*, ginger* (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with fresh ginger and lime to produce a slightly tart and bold flavor. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea*, cane sugar*, ginger root*, lime juice*, lime zest* (* = organic)
Organic gunpowder green tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with organic grape juice for a delicious fermented kombucha drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea*, cane sugar*, Concord grape juice* (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with a cold infusion of hibiscus flowers for a slightly tart, slightly effervescent cultured beverage. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea*, cane sugar*, hibiscus* (* = organic)
A delicious new tea in our newest kombucha! This refreshing kombucha has lovely, aromatic notes and a subtle sweetness. Organic Honeybush tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and that probiotic base is flavored with an infusion of honey.
Ingredients: filtered water, honeybush tea,* cane sugar,* raw honey* (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with lavender flowers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to produce a delicately floral, cultured twist on lemonade. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Organic gunpowder green tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with an infusion of nettle leaves for an unusual, delicious, and nourishing fermented drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea*, cane sugar*, nettle leaves* (* = organic)
Organic yerba mate tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with pineapple and turmeric juice to produce a dry, crisp and slightly herbaceous beverage. Yerba mate tea is the national drink of Argentina. Kombucha, a traditional probiotic beverage, is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, yerba mate*, pineapple juice*, turmeric root*, cane sugar* (* = organic)
Organic rooibos "red bush" tea (no caffeine!) and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and flavored with a mixture of spices to produce a warm, sweet & spicy, woody vanilla flavor. Kombucha, a traditional probiotic beverage, is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Even by our standards, this seasonal kombucha is special! The heady sweetness of peaches marries with a subtle, warm herbaceous overtone of fresh red shiso leaves from Feral Heart Farm in Sunol.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea*, cane sugar,* peach juice*, red shiso* (* = organic)
A very floral and citrusy dairy-free water kefir. Water kefir grains, also called tibicos, are used to ferment a base of filtered water with unrefined cane sugar and just a touch of molasses. The sugars are metabolized by the kefir grains to produce a light but rich effervescent base. The brew is then flavored with meyer lemon zest and rose petals to produce a bubbly probiotic “soda.”
Ingredients: filtered water, cane sugar*, molasses*, raw unfiltered honey, rose petals*, Meyer lemon zest* (*=organic)
Jun is a unique cultured beverage that is made from honey and green tea. Its origins are clouded in mystery... Some say it comes from Tibet. It uses a culture similar to a kombucha SCOBY or water kefir grains. This is a perfect alternative for those who prefer to avoid all refined sugar, or are on GAPS protocol, as the only sweetener is honey. We have flavored ours with lemon and elderflower infusion for a delightfully ethereal drink that is light and bubbly.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea,* raw honey, elderflowers, lemon juice,* lemon zest* (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and GAPS Diet-friendly.
For this classic shrub, we infused Bernie's Best apple cider vinegar with locally-foraged yerba santa leaves and fresh thyme, both known for their lung-supporting properties. We added juice from local gravenstein apples along with raw local honey to balance the traditional tang of the oxymel (vinegar-infused medicinal tonic).
A shrub is a traditional fruit concentrate, like a syrup, preserved with vinegar and used to make or flavor beverages. A few ounces with bubbly or still water makes a fabulous drink all on its own (we recommend a dilution of 4 or 5 parts water to 1 part shrub), and there's no reason you couldn't use it as a cocktail mixer if that's your thing! Shrubs can also add zing to jam or salad dressing, and make a wonderful glaze for grilled meats.
Ingredients: Bernie's Best gravenstein apple cider,* Bernie's Best raw apple cider vinegar* infused with thyme* and locally-foraged yerba santa, raw unfiltered honey (* = organic),
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and GAPS-diet friendly.
THIS PRODUCT IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH BULK SALES TO BERKELEY AND EL CERRITO NATURAL GROCERY -- IF YOU SEE IT ON OUR WEBSITE, PLEASE DON'T ORDER IT. THANK YOU.