Cultured Beverages
One of the most refreshing sources of active probiotics and herbal nutrition is an artisanal, lactofermented beverage. From slightly sweet and fruity, to salty and slightly sour, our Kombuchas, Kefirs, Juns, Kvasses and Cabbage Tonics offer something for every palate. To support a healthy microbiome, drink at least 4 ounces a day.
Beets are sliced and cultured in water with yogurt whey and Celtic sea salt to make this traditional tonic drink. Sally Fallon Morell describes this drink as being "valuable for its medicinal qualities and as a digestive aid. Beets are just loaded with nutrients. One 4-ounce glass, morning and night, is an excellent blood tonic, promotes regularity, aids digestion, alkalizes the blood, cleanses the liver and is a good treatment for kidney stones and other ailments..." (Nourishing Traditions, page 608)
Ingredients: beets,* yogurt whey,* Celtic sea salt (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free.
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, nightshade-free, and GAPS & Paleo Diets-friendly.
This delicious seasonal offering of cabbage tonic features anti-inflammatory turmeric and ginger to keep us limber in the cooler seasons.
Ingredients: filtered water, green cabbage*, turmeric root*, ginger root*, Celtic sea salt (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and GAPS Diet-friendly.
Organic darjeeling tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with cherry and ginger juice to produce a mildly tart, not too sweet drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, darjeeling tea*, cane sugar*, cherry juice*, ginger* (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with fresh ginger and lime to produce a slightly tart and bold flavor. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea*, cane sugar*, ginger root*, lime juice*, lime zest* (* = organic)
Organic gunpowder green tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with organic grape juice for a delicious fermented kombucha drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea*, cane sugar*, Concord grape juice* (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with a cold infusion of hibiscus flowers for a slightly tart, slightly effervescent cultured beverage. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea*, cane sugar*, hibiscus* (* = organic)
Organic rooibos "red bush" tea (no caffeine!) and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with kumquats and rose petals to produce a distinct beverage. The refreshing flavor of this komucha has made it a staff favorite! Kombucha, a traditional probiotic beverage, is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: rooibos tea,* cane sugar,* kumquats,* rose petals, honey (* = organic)
Organic white tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with lavender flowers, lemon zest, and lemon juice to produce a delicately floral, cultured twist on lemonade. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Organic gunpowder green tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and then flavored with an infusion of nettle leaves for an unusual, delicious, and nourishing fermented drink. Kombucha is considered by many to have a detoxifying effect on the body.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea*, cane sugar*, nettle leaves* (* = organic)
This kombucha is brewed almost 3 times as long as our other beverages, resulting in a distinct flavor profile. English Breakfast tea and unrefined sugar are cultured with a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast), and that probiotic base is balanced by the addition of sweet apple juice and finished with a gentle kick of freshly juiced ginger. Sour apple with a punch!
Ingredients: filtered water, Darjeeling tea,* cane sugar,* Bernie's Best gravenstein cider,* ginger* (* = organic)
A combination of fresh watermelon juice and basil blended with mild white tea kombucha for a replenishing summertime drink.
Ingredients: filtered water, white tea, cane sugar*, watermelon*, Thai basil* (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
Dairy-free water kefir. Water kefir grains, also called tibicos, are used to ferment a base of filtered water with unrefined cane sugar and just a touch of molasses. The sugars are metabolized by the kefir grains to produce a light but rich effervescent base. This old-timey brew is then flavored with sarsaparilla, sassafras leaf, ginger, turmeric and other herbs and spices to produce a bubbly probiotic “soda.” Vanilla bean lends this fizzy beverage a rich and complex flavor. If you are a root beer lover who is ready to graduate to a real roots beer, this is the drink for you!
Ingredients: filtered water, sarsaparilla, cane sugar*, molasses*, turmeric root*, ginger root*, licorice root, cinnamon*, vanilla bean*, sassafras, black peppercorn*, cardamom pods*, allspice* (* = organic)
Recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free*
Jun is a unique cultured beverage that is made from honey and green tea. Its origins are clouded in mystery... Some say it comes from Tibet. It uses a culture similar to a kombucha SCOBY or water kefir grains. This is a perfect alternative for those who prefer to avoid all refined sugar, or are on GAPS protocol, as the only sweetener is honey. We have flavored ours with lemon and elderflower infusion for a delightfully ethereal drink that is light and bubbly.
Ingredients: filtered water, gunpowder green tea,* raw honey, elderflowers, lemon juice,* lemon zest* (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and GAPS Diet-friendly.
For this classic shrub, we infused Bernie's Best apple cider vinegar with organic fresh thyme and dandelion greens. We added juice from local gravenstein apples along with raw local honey to balance the traditional tang of the oxymel (vinegar-infused medicinal tonic).
A shrub is a traditional fruit concentrate, like a syrup, preserved with vinegar and used to make or flavor beverages. A few ounces with bubbly or still water makes a fabulous drink all on its own (we recommend a dilution of 4 or 5 parts water to 1 part shrub), and there's no reason you couldn't use it as a cocktail mixer if that's your thing! Shrubs can also add zing to jam or salad dressing, and make a wonderful glaze for grilled meats.
Ingredients: Bernie's Best gravenstein apple cider,* Bernie's Best raw apple cider vinegar* infused with thyme* and dandelion,* raw unfiltered honey (* = organic)
Recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and GAPS-diet friendly.
THIS PRODUCT IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH BULK SALES TO BERKELEY AND EL CERRITO NATURAL GROCERY -- IF YOU SEE IT ON OUR WEBSITE, PLEASE DON'T ORDER IT. THANK YOU.