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.
This delicious seasonal offering of cabbage tonic features anti-inflammatory turmeric and ginger to keep us limber in the cooler seasons.
Ingredients: filtered water, green cabbage*, turmeric root*, ginger root*, Celtic sea salt (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and GAPS Diet-friendly.
Here's a grownup orange pop, sweetened with carrot and infused with the complex flavors of orange zest. Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored carrot juice and orange zest. This lovely, artisanal probiotic drink is less effervescent than many of our kombuchas.
Ingredients: filtered water, green earl grey tea*, carrots*, orange zest*, cane sugar* (* = organic)
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 grapefruit juice and sage. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body. The healing properties of sage and the beneficial antioxidants from grapefruit make for a refreshing and healthful drink.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea, organic grapefruits, organic sage, organic cane sugar
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)
Organic jasmine green tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with lemongrass to produce a very crisp, floral taste. The locally forgaged makrut lime lends a strong, distinct aroma. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, jasmine green tea*, cane sugar*, dried lemongrass*, locally foraged makrut 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 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)
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 apple juice and cranberry concentrate to produce a bubbly probiotic “soda.” Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, making this not only a delicious drink but a nourishing tonic as well.
Ingredients: filtered water, apple juice (apples,* ascorbic acid), cranberry concentrate*, cane sugar*, molasses* (* = 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 hibiscus and rose 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 seasonal shrub, we infused Bernie's Apple Cider Vinegar with locally foraged yerba santa leaves and fresh thyme, both known for their lung-supporting properties and dandelion. We added housemade juice from local apples along with raw local honey to balance the traditional tang of the oxymel (vinegar-infused medicinal tonic). This shrub can be used to make a delicious beverage by diluting it 4:1 with bubbly or still water, a sprig of mint or a squeeze of lime (or both) -- or of course adding some of Bernie's Gravenstein Apple Cider.
Ingredients: local apples,* raw honey, Bernie's Best raw apple cider vinegar* infused with various herbs (locally foraged yerba santa leaves, thyme,* dandelion*) (* = 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.