Is there alcohol in this drink?
The natural fermentation process of kombucha releases some alcohol but not a significant amount to classify it as an alcoholic beverage. The alcohol content is less than 1% and in Canada anything less than 1% is considered non-alcoholic.
After opening a bottle, how long is it good for?
This drink must be stored refrigerated, ideally around 3-5 degrees celsius. If not refrigerated, the fermentation process will continue, resulting in the drink becoming more vinegar-like and sour in flavour. The fermentation will also increase carbonation, resulting in over-carbonation and increased pressure within the bottle. There are cases of bottles exploding when left at room temperature for extended periods of time, which can be both dangerous and messy to clean up. Some kombucha bottles in grocery stores that are not refrigerated are able to do this because they have been pasteurized or finely filtered so that all of the microbes and yeast do not survive. Our kombucha microbes are alive and Amuse-Booch is not one of those drinks that is shelf-stable without refrigeration.
Opening the bottle will let in oxygen, which will reduce the carbonation of the beverage, similar to carbonated soda drinks. We recommend consuming the beverage in 1-2 sittings as repeat opens will result in the drink becoming flat. Drinking within 7-10 days after opening is also recommended as the oxygen could result in a change of flavour and the yeast/microbial balance of the drink.
If the bottle hasn’t been opened yet, we recommend drinking it within 4 months. While the fermentation process slows down significantly at refrigeration temperatures, the drink will continue to ferment and change over time, particularly over several months. The carbonation and flavour will shift, resulting in a more sour and more highly carbonated beverage. This is not the intention of the Amuse-Booch flavour-profile and should be avoided.
Do you make other flavours?
We exclusively make sparkling hibiscus-ginger kombucha. We have and continue to experiment with other flavours and this one is still by far the most consistently enjoyed by ourselves and our test subjects!
Do I need to refrigerate it?
Yes! Even if the bottle has not been opened yet, keep it refrigerated.
Is there caffeine in this drink?
There is no significant amount of caffeine in Amuse-Booch. Kombucha in general requires sweetened tea to ferment and produce beneficial bacteria. We use black tea which contains caffeine, however, the healthy bacteria culture feeds on the caffeine during fermentation leaving no significant amount.
Is there sugar in this drink?
Most of the raw cane sugar is eaten by the kombucha’s healthy bacteria and yeast culture during the fermentation process, however, the final beverage contains approximately 5 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters (5g/100mL).
What does it mean when you say Amuse-Booch is raw and not pasteurized?
Amuse-Booch is not your average grocery store kombucha that tastes like flavoured syrup water and lacks live beneficial bacteria. Kombucha that has been pasteurized has been processed through high heat killing off all healthy bacteria and stopping potential further fermentation. Important to note, Kombucha’s highly acidic environment doesn’t allow bad bacteria to survive, so when pasteurizing it, you kill off the good stuff. We use generous amounts of high-quality ingredients and are 100% committed to crafting a beverage that tastes good and is actually good for your gut. Therefore, we made the decision early on that we will not pasteurize this drink, otherwise it would go against our values and purpose. We keep our kombucha raw and healthy because heating up the contents of the kombucha to kill all of the healthy bacteria defeats the whole purpose of making kombucha in the first place.
I’m pregnant, can I drink this?
We recommend consulting your healthcare provider before consuming kombucha during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol, caffeine, and live cultures, which may not be suitable for everyone. Some reports suggest that diet and beverages, including kombucha, can occasionally influence the taste or composition of breastmilk. If you have concerns about your health or your baby's development, it's best to seek professional medical advice.
I’m sensitive to alcohol, can I drink this?
If you have serious health concerns and are very sensitive to alcohol, keep in mind this drink has less than 1% alcohol in it. We would recommend you proceed cautiously and start with just a sip to see how your body responds.