What is kombucha ?
Kombucha is a fermented tea that is often imbibed for medicinal purposes. Kombucha is available commercially and can be made at home by fermenting tea using a visible, solid mass of yeast and bacteria called a kombucha culture known as a "SCOBY."

How long will the bulk kombucha last in my fridge?
Kombucha has a fairly undefined shelve life, we say about 6 months. Townshend’s kombucha does not contain perishable ingredients such as dairy or fruit. Kombucha also has a high acidity, protecting it against pathogens and spoilage. However, the living yeast and bacteria cultures, which are naturally present in kombucha, create carbon dioxide and an assortment of healthy acids. Refrigeration puts these organisms
into a near dormant state, maintaining a tasty balance of bubbles and bite.

Has this kombucha been pasteurized (is it raw)?
Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha is 100% raw. We wouldn’t dream of pasteurizing all of those wonderful probiotics and digestive enzymes. Although tea leaves are heated to stop the oxidation process, the living cultures introduced to kombucha digest the heated tea and the finished product is considered raw once again.

Should caution be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing? Is it safe for kids?
Unfortunately, no solid answer has been decided on this topic. There is a lot of opinionbased information surrounding kombucha, and it is sometimes hard to find a credible source. For this reason, it is best to consult a holistic-oriented health practitioner.

Here are the main points on kombucha and pregnancy:
1. Kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol. Most of the alcohol in kombucha is metabolized into acids, but some remnants are left in the finished product.
2. The caffeine from the original tea steeping is not lost in the culturing process. Although the amount of caffeine in kombucha is fairly small, it is worth mentioning.*
3. Intense detoxification is not recommended for pregnant women. As kombucha aids in many of the bodies detox functions, it is also a point worth considering.
(*Note: The “energy” experienced after drinking kombucha is credited more to high content of B vitamins than to caffeine. B vitamins can be beneficial to pregnant women.)

Is kombucha a “Cure-all”?
Kombucha can safely be called a healthful tonic. It contains beneficial acids that can aid in digestion and detoxification as well as warding of pathogens. It fits into the category of a fermented raw food. However, the fantastic claims that make kombucha out to be a panacea or “cure-all” are certainly overblown and at times dangerous. People with severely compromised immune systems, as in the case of HIV, should avoid the introduction of any foreign bacteria (even of the non-pathogenic friendly variety). Kombucha is wonderful, healthy tea that has stood the test of time. It is important, however, to be aware of the misinformation that exists and to pursue reliable sources when dealing with a serious illness.

Is Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha organic?
At this time Brew Dr. Kombucha is not a certified organic product. However, all of the teas and herbs in our kombucha are organic and we use organic cane sugar. We hope to be a certified organic producer in the near future.

If I am always opening and closing my kombucha jug, will it lose carbonation?
A growler of kombucha should maintain its fizz during the time it takes to get through a bottle, but if you should desire a stronger or more effervescent drink, just leave your sealed bottle at room temperature over night. Carbon dioxide occurs naturally in kombucha and there are still billions of organisms living in every bottle. In a refrigerated environment these organisms slow to an almost dormant state, but in a warmer setting they will spring into life and start making bubbles.