What Kombucha Has the Least Amount of Sugar? A Guide to Low-Sugar Options

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Despite its healthy reputation, the sugar content in kombucha can vary dramatically between brands. While sugar is a necessary ingredient for fermentation, many commercial kombuchas add extra sweeteners post-fermentation, negating some of the health benefits. This guide will help you identify what kombucha has the least amount of sugar and how to choose the right one for your diet.

Quick Summary

This guide covers how to read kombucha labels for sugar content, lists the lowest-sugar brands available, and explains how home-brewing can provide total sugar control.

Key Points

Read Labels Carefully: Always check the 'Total Sugars' and 'Added Sugars' on the nutrition label and remember to account for the full serving size.
Look for Zero-Sugar Brands: Remedy Kombucha and Humm Zero Sugar are two brands explicitly formulated to contain no sugar, using alternative sweeteners like stevia and allulose.
Choose Unflavored or Original Versions: Flavored kombuchas, especially those with high fruit juice content, tend to have more sugar. Stick to original or classic versions for lower sugar levels.
Control Sugar by Home Brewing: To have complete control over your kombucha's sweetness, brew it at home and extend the fermentation time to reduce residual sugar.
Reap Health Benefits: Low-sugar kombucha provides gut-friendly probiotics and antioxidants without contributing to sugar-related health issues or cravings.

Decoding Kombucha Sugar Content

For those monitoring their sugar intake, kombucha can be a tricky beverage to navigate. The fermentation process, where a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) consumes sugar and tea to produce its signature tangy flavor, naturally lowers the final sugar count. However, many commercial producers add fruit juices, purees, or other flavorings after this process, which can dramatically increase the sugar content. The key to finding the lowest-sugar option is to understand how to read labels and recognize which brands prioritize a drier, less sweet profile.

Reading Kombucha Nutrition Labels

Understanding the nutrition label is the most important step in finding a low-sugar kombucha. Due to FDA regulations, even residual sugar from the fermentation process must be declared as "Added Sugar," which can be confusing. Here's what to look for:

Total Sugars vs. Added Sugars: Pay attention to both. A low 'Total Sugars' count is the primary indicator, as it reflects all sugar present. However, 'Added Sugars' can also signal how much extra sweetness was included after fermentation for flavoring.
Serving Size: Always check the serving size. Many kombucha bottles contain two servings, meaning you need to double the listed sugar content to get the total for the whole bottle.
Ingredients List: Scan the ingredient list for added juices, concentrates, or sweeteners like agave, honey, or stevia. Some brands use alternative natural sweeteners or longer fermentation periods to achieve a low-sugar product.

Comparison of Low-Sugar Kombucha Brands

When searching for the kombucha with the least amount of sugar, it's helpful to compare popular brands side-by-side. The following table showcases some of the lowest-sugar options based on publicly available information and taste tests.


Kombucha Brand	Sugar per Serving (approx. 8 oz / 250ml)	Key Features	Sweetener	Notes
Remedy Kombucha	0g	Zero-sugar, organic, and raw.	Natural fruit extracts, erythritol, stevia	Shelf-stable and available in various flavors.
Humm Kombucha	0g (Zero Sugar Line)	Organic, raw, with added B12 vitamins.	Allulose, monk fruit	Note that their standard line has higher sugar.
KeVita Master Brew	7-10g	Contains live probiotic cultures and adaptogens.	Cane sugar, stevia	Uses stevia to help manage sugar levels.
GT's Synergy Raw	2-5g (Original)	Classic, raw kombucha with high probiotic count.	Cane sugar, kiwi juice	Many fruity flavors have higher sugar; stick to original or low-sugar lines.
Brew Dr. Kombucha	4-8g	100% raw, organic, and non-alcoholic.	Cane sugar	Fermented in-house; the sugar content varies by flavor.

Notable Low-Sugar Brands

Remedy Kombucha: The standout choice for those seeking zero sugar. It is fermented for an extended period until all the sugar is converted, resulting in a slightly tangy profile. They also use a blend of natural sweeteners for flavor without the sugar impact.
Humm Zero Sugar: An excellent option if you want to completely avoid sugar but still enjoy a slightly sweet flavor. This line uses allulose and monk fruit to create a palatable taste without the sugar alcohols common in other sugar-free products.
GT's Synergy Original: While their more vibrant flavors contain significant sugar, the classic Original or Gingerade flavors tend to be on the lower end. GT's is a staple for a reason, but always check the specific product label for sugar content.

The Benefits of Choosing Low-Sugar Kombucha

Opting for a kombucha with less sugar amplifies the potential health benefits of this fermented beverage while minimizing the drawbacks associated with high sugar intake. Some of these benefits include:

Improved Gut Health: A balanced gut is essential for overall wellness. Low-sugar kombucha provides the probiotics and beneficial acids necessary to support a healthy gut microbiome without feeding the sugar-loving, less beneficial bacteria.
Reduced Sugar Cravings: By consistently choosing lower-sugar options, you can help retrain your palate and reduce your overall sugar dependence. This can lead to a decrease in cravings for other sugary drinks and foods.
Better Blood Sugar Control: High sugar intake, even from seemingly healthy drinks, can cause blood sugar spikes. Low-sugar kombucha is a much safer alternative for individuals with insulin sensitivity or diabetes.
Enhanced Antioxidant Intake: Kombucha's base ingredients—tea and fruit extracts—are rich in antioxidants. By reducing the added sugar, you get more of these antioxidant benefits without the negative effects of sugar.

How to Achieve Maximum Sugar Control: Brew Your Own

For the ultimate control over sugar levels, brewing kombucha at home is the best method. This process allows you to customize fermentation time and sweetener choices precisely to your preferences. The longer you let your kombucha ferment, the more sugar the SCOBY will consume, resulting in a more vinegary, less sweet final product.

Tips for home brewing a low-sugar kombucha:

Extend Fermentation Time: Allow your brew to ferment for 10-14 days or even longer. Taste it daily to find your perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness. You can use a refractometer to measure the sugar concentration accurately.
Use Less Initial Sugar: While sugar is necessary to start fermentation, you can experiment with slightly lower amounts than the standard one cup per gallon, as long as it doesn't harm the SCOBY.
Skip the Second Fermentation: Many fruity, sugary flavors come from the second fermentation stage. For a truly low-sugar kombucha, consider skipping this step entirely or only adding minimal fruit or herbs for flavor.

Conclusion

Finding the kombucha with the least amount of sugar requires careful label reading and a bit of knowledge about the fermentation process. While brands like Remedy and Humm Zero Sugar offer excellent ready-to-drink, zero-sugar options, GT's Classic and Brew Dr. provide low-sugar choices for those who prefer a little sweetness. For the greatest control and lowest sugar content possible, consider brewing your own. Ultimately, a consciously chosen kombucha can be a delicious, gut-healthy beverage that supports your wellness goals. For more in-depth information on kombucha brewing guidelines and regulations, consider consulting a trusted source like the Kombucha Brewers International.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all kombucha is low in sugar. While the fermentation process uses sugar, many commercial brands add extra fruit juice, purees, or sweeteners after fermentation, significantly increasing the sugar content.

Brands like Remedy Kombucha and the Zero Sugar line from Humm are among the lowest, formulated to contain zero grams of sugar. KeVita Master Brew and GT's Original are also good low-sugar options.

Check the nutrition facts for the 'Total Sugars' amount, and also look at the 'Added Sugars.' The ingredient list can tell you if extra fruit or sweeteners were added. Also, verify the serving size, as some bottles contain multiple servings.

Yes, home brewing is the best way to control sugar content. You can simply allow the kombucha to ferment for a longer period, giving the SCOBY more time to consume the sugar.

True sugar-free kombucha is difficult to produce without compromising fermentation. However, some commercial brands like Remedy and Humm offer products with zero grams of sugar using alternative sweeteners and longer fermentation times.

The difference in sugar content is often due to the flavorings added after the initial fermentation. Many brands add significant amounts of fruit juice or sweeteners to create more palatable flavors, boosting the total sugar count.

Low-sugar kombucha can be better for your gut health because it delivers the beneficial probiotics and acids without the added sugar, which can feed less beneficial bacteria. This helps promote a healthier balance in your gut microbiome.