the making of kombucha
1
brewing darjeeling green tea
Darjeeling green tea is the base of nÿcha kombucha.
Using a refined process, we brew organic and fair trade darjeeling green tea from Teekampagne. Next, we add a precisely balanced mix of organic cane sugars. Together, the cane sugar and green tea create the perfect foundation for natural fermentation with a probiotic culture.
2
fermentation with kombucha culture
Green tea transforms into kombucha throughnatural fermentation.
We add a carefully nurtured kombucha culture (SCOBY — Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) to the green tea. Over several weeks, the culture metabolises the sugar, producing beneficial fermentation byproducts. A healthy environment for fermentation ensures optimal conditions for a perfect end product.
3
enhancement with natural ingredients
Organic ingredients refine the kombucha.
After fermentation, we enhance the kombucha with organically grown ingredients like pear, apple, quince, aronia, or ginger juice, as well as alpine herbs. This gives each nÿcha kombucha its unique flavour profile. Emphasising sustainability and quality, we use glass bottles to ensure the kombucha reaches the consumer in its highest quality.
4
enjoying nÿcha kombucha
nÿcha kombucha is ready to enjoy.
It's sold in retail and in the gastronomy across Switzerland — you can find some sales points here. You can also order our kombucha online, and we'll ship it to any address in Switzerland. You can also subscribe to a box of fresh kombucha every month. Retailers can order directly from us or through national beverage distributors.
history and fun facts
what is kombucha?
nÿcha kombucha is a fermented tea drink based on tea. Sweet tea is fermented using beneficial microorganisms for many weeks developing fruity-tasting organic acids, B-vitamins, and antioxidants. Kombucha can taste tart, sweet or a mix of both. nÿcha kombucha strikes a delicious balance creating a refreshing beverage through slow fermentation that combines the best of both worlds.
why drink kombucha?
Kombucha is a fan-favourite for its versatility. Beyond its intriguing taste, it offers a refreshing break from traditional and alcoholic beverages. This naturally brewed drink is free from artificial ingredients, making it a delightful alternative. At nÿcha kombucha, we're dedicated to delivering only the highest quality kombucha, ensuring every bottle you grab is top-notch.
where does kombucha come from?
Kombucha has been a staple for over 2000 years, with deep roots in China and Japan. The Chinese word for tea, "cha," is part of its name. While the exact origins are a bit of a mystery, this fermented tea drink carries a rich cultural heritage. Its unique, tangy taste, developed through fermentation, helped it gain
popularity in Europe and the western world during the 20th century.
what is fermentation?
Kombucha is fermented with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, known as SCOBY. This culture typically includes Acetobacter, Gluconobacter and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
does kombucha contain sugar?
Absolutely, raw cane sugar is essential for the microorganisms in the kombucha culture. They
transform the sugar first into alcohol and then into organic acids, giving kombucha its distinctive fruity flavours.
In collaboration with ZHAW, our master study revealed that the nÿcha microorganism culture naturally converts all the glucose in our kombucha into beneficial nutrients. This natural reduction of simple sugars is a key factor that makes kombucha such a unique and refreshing beverage.
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV)
Sugar Reduction — Milan Declaration
We support this initiative of the Swiss BLV and are proud of the Swiss companies who voluntarily signed the mandate. This shows Switzerland's commitment to reducing potential health risks from high sugar consumption.
Today, nÿcha contains 36-43% less sugar than the Swiss government's target for 2024. We aim to keep our kombucha’s sugar content well below the targeted median and will continue to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in our kombucha in line with the national sugar reduction mandate.
|
carbohydrates |
- thereof sugar |
||
|
quince |
5.2g/100ml |
4.8g/100ml |
-36% |
|
ginger |
4.9g/100ml |
4.6g/100ml |
-39% |
|
natural |
4.6g/100ml |
4.5g/100ml |
-40% |
|
alpine herbs |
4.7g/100ml |
4.3g/100ml |
-43% |
|
2024 Federal Office Median target for carbonated soft drinks |
- |
7.5g/100ml |
- |
nÿcha kombucha. Worth knowing.
what is nÿcha?
what is nÿcha kombucha?
nÿcha kombucha is a fermented green tea drink. We use darjeeling green tea from Teekampagne, which goes through a natural fermentation process to enhance its valuable nutrients and add a sparkling, intriguing flavour.
what does kombucha taste like?
Kombucha is slightly fizzy, giving it a pleasant tingle on the tongue. The fermentation process gives it a unique taste that’s sweet, sour, and spicy, similar to apple cider vinegar. If you're used to sugary drinks, the first sip might surprise you.
is nÿcha kombucha healthy?
Kombucha is a delicious, refreshing drink that's low in calories and fits perfectly into a health-conscious lifestyle.
is sugar used in the production process?
Yes, but the sugar isn’t for sweetness. It's food for the kombucha culture. During fermentation, the culture consumes the sugar and produces tasty acids and other byproducts instead.
is kombucha an iced tea?
Nah, nÿcha kombucha is more than iced tea. Think of it as iced tea 2.0. Kombucha combines the benefits of green tea with natural fermentation. It's like the difference between grape juice and wine. Just as fermentation turns grape juice into wine, it transforms iced tea into kombucha.
does nÿcha kombucha contain alcohol?
Yes, nÿcha kombucha contains a small amount of residual alcohol. The yeast in the kombucha culture converts some of the sugar into alcohol during fermentation, which then is partly converted to organic acids. So, it's not completely alcohol-free, but the alcohol content is less than 0.5% vol.
does nÿcha kombucha contain caffeine?
Yes, the caffeine comes from the Darjeeling green tea we use from Teekampagne. Lab tests show our kombucha contains about 34mg of caffeine per bottle (33cl). For comparison, a cup of coffee has about 80mg of caffeine.
how is nÿcha kombucha made?
Our kombucha production focuses on two things: high-quality ingredients and a precisely controlled fermentation process. This ensures the quality of our drink. You can read about the exact steps in our production process here.
why does nÿcha kombucha taste different from bottle to bottle?
nÿcha kombucha is a naturally fermented product. Although we make every batch under the same conditions, natural fermentation can cause slight variations. Kombucha is a living product, so small differences in taste or carbonation can happen.
how long does nÿcha kombucha last?
Unopened bottles may be stored cold or at room temperature and can last several months thanks to the fermentation process (see expiration date). Opened bottles should be kept in the fridge and consumed within three days.
is nÿcha kombucha vegan/vegetarian?
Absolutely. Kombucha is a completely plant-based product.
our ingredients
is nÿcha certified organic?
Yes, nÿcha kombucha is certified organic. We only use ingredients from organic farming, and our certification has been confirmed by Bio-Inspecta CH-006.
where does your tea come from?
Our tea comes from the Darjeeling region in northeast India, near the border with Tibet. Darjeeling is a beautiful region with a Himalayan climate perfect for tea cultivation, often called the champagne of teas. We partner with Teekampagne to directly source our tea from selected organic tea plantations that treat and pay their workers fairly and invest in sustainable and rejuvenating farming practices.
does your green tea contain dangerous heavy metals?
Our tea is regularly tested for heavy metals. All tests have shown no dangerous heavy metals in the tea.
retail
where can I buy nÿcha kombucha?
You can find nÿcha kombucha in retail and organic stores, bars, restaurants, cafes, and directly from our brewery. We are constantly expanding our sales network. You can find a short list of sales locations here (LINK). You can also order nÿcha kombucha from our webshop.
nÿcha kombucha isn’t available near me, what can I do?
Please drop us a line. We’d love to know where nÿcha kombucha is still missing.
i want to sell kombucha, what’s the next step?
That’s amazing. Thanks so much for your interest. We’d love to share our passion with you and your community. Please email or call us.