The Traditional Brewing Process
Remedy brews its kombucha the "old-school" way, using a traditional, small-batch, long-aged brewing process. This traditional method starts with brewing a large pot of organic black and green tea, to which raw organic sugar is added. The magic truly begins with the introduction of a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY). This culture is a descendant of the very first one used by the founders and has become incredibly robust and healthy over time. During a 30-day fermentation period, the SCOBY works tirelessly, consuming the added sugar as its energy source. This prolonged fermentation is the key to creating a truly sugar-free beverage while leaving behind a rich supply of live cultures and beneficial organic acids.
Unpasteurized Goodness: Why Remedy Stays Raw
Unlike some kombucha brands that pasteurize their products to increase shelf life, Remedy never pasteurizes its kombucha. Pasteurization, a heating process designed to kill bacteria, would also destroy the very live cultures that make kombucha a health-beneficial drink. By keeping the kombucha raw and unpasteurized, Remedy ensures that its final product retains its natural probiotic goodness. This commitment to a traditional, unprocessed product is what sets it apart from many competitors.
The Importance of a Robust SCOBY
The vitality of Remedy's kombucha is a testament to its incredibly strong and healthy SCOBY. Every single batch of Remedy Kombucha is fermented using a descendant of the original mother culture. This heritage ensures a consistent and powerful fermentation process, resulting in a minimum of 100 million live cultures per 100ml in the finished product. The potency of this culture is also why Remedy kombucha is perfectly safe to be stored in or out of the fridge, as demonstrated by the brand's own shelf-life testing.
Raw vs. Pasteurized Kombucha
To better understand Remedy's unique qualities, it's helpful to compare it with pasteurized alternatives. The table below highlights the key differences:
| Feature | Remedy Kombucha (Raw & Unpasteurized) | Pasteurized Kombucha |
|---|---|---|
| Live Cultures | Contains healthy, living bacteria and yeasts naturally from fermentation. | Live cultures are destroyed by the heating process. |
| Sugar Content | Brewed out completely during the long-aged fermentation. | Often contains added sugars after pasteurization to enhance flavor. |
| Shelf Stability | Stable due to zero sugar, which prevents refermentation, allowing for pantry storage. | Also shelf-stable, but because the fermentation process has been halted by heat. |
| Flavor | A more complex, naturally tangy flavor from organic acids. | Often sweeter due to added sugars and a flatter flavor profile. |
| Floaties | Strands of the SCOBY ('the mother') may naturally appear, indicating it is raw and healthy. | Generally clear, as the pasteurization process prevents their formation or kills them off. |
More Than Just Probiotics
While the live cultures are a major draw, Remedy kombucha offers additional health benefits. During the fermentation process, the SCOBY converts sugar into beneficial organic acids, also known as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs are also produced by our own gut bacteria and can aid in regulating blood sugar, controlling appetite, and providing an energy source for good gut microbes. Additionally, Remedy is made with organic green and black tea, which are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. These compounds are known to help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals in the body.
A Note on "Floaties"
Some consumers might be surprised to see cloudy sediment or jelly-like strands floating in their Remedy kombucha. This is a perfectly normal and healthy sign of a truly raw, unpasteurized, and unfiltered kombucha. These are simply strands of the living SCOBY, or "the mother," and are completely safe to consume. Their presence is a great indication that the good bacteria are alive and well.
Conclusion
Yes, Remedy kombucha is alive, and its live cultures are a core part of its identity. Through its traditional, long-aged brewing process, Remedy ensures that its kombucha is unpasteurized, teeming with millions of live cultures, and completely sugar-free by the time it reaches the bottle. The result is a genuinely fermented, shelf-stable beverage packed with not only probiotics but also organic acids and antioxidants. For those seeking the authentic benefits of a live probiotic drink, Remedy offers a transparently crafted and scientifically-backed option.
If you'd like to read more about kombucha production, a great resource can be found at Liquid Remedy's blog on what makes a "real" kombucha.(https://www.liquidremedy.com/blogs/news/what-is-real-kombucha-us)
Where does Remedy kombucha get its live cultures from?
- Source: The live cultures in Remedy kombucha are naturally occurring, originating from the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) used in its traditional fermentation process.
- Potency: Each 330ml bottle of Remedy kombucha contains a minimum of 330 million live cultures.
- Heritage: The culture used is a descendant of the original one brewed by the founders, ensuring a consistent and strong starter.
How does Remedy kombucha stay sugar-free and still contain live cultures?
- Fermentation: The secret lies in Remedy's 30-day long-aged brewing process, where the live cultures completely consume all the sugar.
- No Fuel: With no residual sugar left in the bottle, the live cultures have no fuel to continue fermentation, which is why the product is shelf-stable.
Is Remedy kombucha shelf-stable because it's not truly alive?
- False: This is a common misconception. Remedy kombucha is raw, unpasteurized, and fully alive.
- Reason: Its shelf-stability is not because the cultures are inactive, but because all the sugar (the fuel for re-fermentation) has been consumed during the initial brew.
Why do I sometimes see "floaties" in my Remedy kombucha?
- SCOBY Strands: These strands or blobs are small pieces of the healthy, natural SCOBY, also known as "the mother".
- Good Sign: Their presence is a sign that the kombucha is raw, unpasteurized, and rich in natural live cultures.
Are the health benefits of Remedy kombucha destroyed by the lack of refrigeration?
- No: Since Remedy contains no sugar, the active cultures are simply dormant rather than destroyed.
- Revival: The cultures remain healthy and active throughout their shelf life, waiting to be consumed.
Does Remedy kombucha contain probiotics?
- Yes: Remedy kombucha is rich in naturally occurring live cultures, which are a form of beneficial probiotics.
- Gut Health: These live cultures can help support gut health by increasing flora diversity and providing fuel for good gut bacteria.
How does Remedy taste compared to other kombuchas?
- Flavor Profile: As noted by publications like BBC Good Food, Remedy is known for being light, refreshing, and relatively sweet without the strong, funky vinegar taste of some kombuchas.
- Beginner-Friendly: Its accessible flavor profile makes it a popular choice for people new to kombucha.
