There are now a huge range of commercial kombuchas available in most countries, ranging from the increasing number of artisan varieties in the UK, such as Momo, to industrially made pasteurised kombuchas full of artificial sweeteners and flavourings that are more like a synthetic iced tea that can last years. — Tim Spector, Ferment
Kombucha is a healthy fermented food.
Kombucha with additives is ultra-processed food.
Jarr kombucha Kombucha is healthy fermented food.Kombucha with additives is ultra-processed food. #kombucha #ferments #health
Artisanal producers, can send fresh samples in batches which will have a shelf life of a couple of weeks in a fridge before they turn too sour. When scaling up, large scale production, not possible to maintain quality and long shelf life especially when transporting a live product across the country, not when in sealed bottles or cans. Corners are cut.
Jarr is an industrial facility in Belgium , part of a larger Belgium brewery.
Momo ferments kombucha in the traditional way in large glass jars , then bottles in 330ml bottles.
I recently had a Momo bottle explode. Rare, but it happens. I noticed a wet patch in the corner of a paper carrier bag. Bottle leaking? I picked up the carrier bag. The bottle fell through, hit the ground and exploded, foam gushing out as though I’d set off a fire extinguisher.
Jarr adds additives to its kombucha, turning a healthy fermented drink into an ultra-processed food.
vitamin C
soluble fibre
Neither additive is required. Artificial supplements are bad for our health.
Eat 30 plants a week (Five a Day is dated), eat the rainbow.
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is fermented tea, consisting of four ingredients, tea, water, sugar and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. The yeast breaks down the sugar forming alcohol. The bacteria break down the alcohol. After ten day, the kombucha is ready, chilled to slow down further fermentation.
The proof of the pudding in the eating. Kombucha in the drinking.
Taste test, Jarr kombucha very poor quality kombucha.
For three weeks, starting 1 October , dates then tally with the day of trial, add each day three different fermented foods or drinks: Greek yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha.
Log each day
energy level
mood
hunger
Feel free to continue beyond three weeks if you experience health benefits. Feel free to record any improvements in health. Or of course if no benefits or health deteriorates.
Encourage friends and colleagues to participate.
Start date First of October not set it stone. Only chosen for the date of the month to tally with the day of the trial.
Fermentation as a means to preserve food existed long before canning, refrigeration and freezing. For example, sourdough bread, wine, beer, cheese, yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha.
Fermentation is alchemy. One food is converted to another, as if by magic. Not only does it keep longer, it tastes different.
Further reading
Ferment – Tim Spector
Ferment – Kenji Morimoto
Blue Zones have demonstrated the importance of diet. No ultra-processed food.
Five a Day is dated. Though for many, five a day would be an improvement. Eat 30 plants a week. Not as difficult as it sounds. 30 plants a week: fruit, vegetables, grain, pulses and legumes, herbs, spices, fungi.
Plant-based, not exclusive vegetarian or vegan.
Further reading
How to Eat 30 Plants a Week – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstal
The Food for Life Cookbook – Tim Spector
Eat Yourself Healthy – Jamie Oliver
Blue Zones have demonstrated the importance of exercise. Not a gym, walking and gardening.
Download and install a step counter. Aim for at least 5,000 steps a day. Occasional bursts of faster walking. For example hurrying to catch a bus.
The Blue Zones – Dan Buettbner
The Blue Zones (illustrated edition) – Dan Buettbner
The Blue Zones Kitchen – Dan Buettbner
Only a handful of countries have issued dietary guidelines on eating fermented foods. Not the UK , still on the dated Five a Day, a political class in hock to Big Pharma and Big Food.
We can improve our health by improving our diet.
eat 30 plants a week
eat the rainbow
add fermented foods to our diet
avoid ultra-processed food
To his credit Jamie Oliver with his latest Channel 4 series Eat Yourself Healthy (September 2025), the focus is on nutrition and how we can improve what we eat.
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