Kombucha is a fermented tea passed down through centuries of Eastern tradition. For more than 2,000 years, people believed kombucha to have unique healing properties. To craft Kombucha, a base of sweetened tea is cultured with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). Over time, the SCOBY transforms the tea into a bright, tangy, and effervescent drink with billions of living probiotics that aid digestion, support gut health, and boost immune function.

Since 1995, we’ve crafted and bottled all our offerings in sunny Los Angeles, California—the hometown of our founder, GT Dave.

SCOBY is an acronym for Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast. The heart and soul of kombucha, this living culture (which looks a bit like a slimy pancake) consumes sugar and caffeine during fermentation.

Consistent with Eastern tradition, all of our kombucha is authentically crafted with organic green and black tea, a sugar source (SYNERGY = organic kiwi juice, CLASSIC & HARD = organic cane sugar), and a SCOBY. To ensure the viability of the living probiotics, we never process, pasteurize (heat), filter, or dilute our Kombucha.

We begin by brewing a sweet tea made from black tea, green tea, and an organic sugar source. To that, we add a SCOBY and let the brew ferment in a serene environment for several weeks. Before bottling, we develop unique flavors by pairing our raw kombucha with organic whole ingredients: fruits, vegetables, botanicals, herbs, and spices. We never add artificial colors or flavors.

Whenever possible, we source our ingredients from within the United States. Since harvest season for many ingredients falls during the warm Summer months, we also source some of our ingredients from certified organic farms in Central and South America. Our black and green teas are sourced from organic farms in India.

Our kombucha is known for its bright tangy taste and natural effervescence—a sign of successful fermentation! That’s why you’ll notice this quality in all fermented foods, including miso, kimchi, cultured yogurt, and sourdough bread.

Kombucha is known to make you feel fresh and revitalized. Each bottle contains billions of living probiotics to support gut health and promote overall well-being. The naturally occurring effervescence may also help you feel full and satiated.

If you are new to kombucha, you may experience the detoxifying effects typically associated with a cleanse. This may show up as gas, bloat, or a change in stool. For this reason, we recommend starting with about 4 ounces and gradually increasing your intake over time.

Since everyone’s body is different, we recommend slowly introducing kombucha into your regular diet. Begin with about 4 ounces, then gradually increase your intake to 16 ounces or more per day. It’s best to listen to your body to determine how much is right for you.

Drinking “too much” kombucha will not harm you. However, we subscribe to the motto of “all things in moderation” and suggest listening to your body. Our suggestion is to cap consumption at three 16 oz bottles per day.

Our SYNERGY Kombucha is safe for children and can also be a better-for-you alternative to sugary juices or soda. For children ages ten and under, we recommend limiting their intake to about 4-6 ounces per day. If you are unsure of introducing something new to your child’s system, we recommend consulting with your healthcare professional or pediatrician before consuming.

If you have a sensitivity to alcohol, we recommend monitoring your intake and consulting with your doctor as needed. For more on this topic, visit Does Kombucha Have Alcohol?

We have heard from many mothers who continue to drink kombucha during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. However, if you are unsure of introducing something new to your system during this time, we recommend consulting with your healthcare professional due to the delicate nature of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Kombucha can be enjoyed before a meal, with a meal, after a meal, or any time in between.

There’s no wrong time to drink kombucha. Drink in the morning for accelerated digestion, midday for a natural lift, or later in the day to curb cravings.

Kombucha requires a sugar source for fermentation, which can come in the form of cane sugar, honey, agave, fruit juice, etc. For our SYNERGY offerings, we choose organic kiwi juice because of its premium quality and the way it complements our kombucha’s taste profile.

The kiwi juice is a process ingredient that gets consumed by the SCOBY during fermentation. We’ve run tests and learned that those with kiwi allergies generally do not have any reactions to our kombucha. If you have any concerns, we recommend consulting with your healthcare professional.

All of our SYNERGY offerings are considered naturally decaffeinated—a result of the fermentation. Each flavor contains about 4mg to 8mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving.

(For reference, an average cup of brewed coffee has about 100mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, while decaf has about 5mg of caffeine per 8-ounce serving.)

Immediately after fermentation, our base kombucha contains an average of 6g of sugar per 8-ounce serving. Once we add in the juice or fruit puree, each flavor will vary from 6g-10g of sugar per 8-ounce serving.

The dominant strains of probiotics in GT’s SYNERGY Kombucha are Lactobacillus Bacterium and Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086. There are a few others as well, which support microbiome diversity. Here at GT’s, we believe in a method of “aerobic wild fermentation,” meaning we rely on naturally occurring bacteria and yeast to develop this offering in the way Nature intended.

The floaties are a good thing! They are actually active strands of living culture—another sign of a successful fermentation, which is also one of the reasons we serve our kombucha unfiltered. If left unrefrigerated, these floaties will form into a SCOBY that you can use as a starter to craft your own home brew.

The effervescence (fizziness) in our kombucha is created by the fermentation. Unlike sodas which are artificially carbonated, this elegant effervescence is 100% naturally occurring and continues to develop over time. That’s why bottles of our kombucha closer to the Enjoy By date will be more effervescent, while fresher batches will be less effervescent. Remember: DO. NOT. SHAKE.

Simply put, we use real whole ingredients and no preservatives, emulsifiers, or homogenization processes. As a result, settling may occur. Feel free to gently rock the bottle back and forth or give it a gentle roll of the wrist to disperse the sediment. But remember: DO. NOT. SHAKE.

Kombucha is naturally effervescent. Therefore, similar to carbonated drinks, it will have a “Champagne Effect” if you shake it. We recommend turning the bottle upside down and gently rolling from side to side to disperse the sediment.

Our kombucha is available nationwide at markets, restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, and online. Shop Now or use our Store Locator to find retailers near you.

Our kombucha is a raw food containing billions of living probiotics, so it should ALWAYS be kept chilled in a refrigerator between 33-37 F°. Bottles should be stored upright and never on their side.

For best quality and experience, we suggest consuming within three days of opening.

For best quality and experience, we suggest consuming on or before the date printed on top of the cap.

Yes, GT’s kombucha bottles are recyclable. Simply take the bottle and cap to your local recycling center. There are also endless ways to reuse our bottles. We’ve seen them upcycled as containers, flower vases, candle holders, makeup brush holders, sand art vessels, and more. Find inspiration on our Pinterest here. Learn more about our sustainability practices here.