Do you find unflavored kombucha to be too strong and tart? If so, turn its sweetness up by brewing it a second time with some delectable fresh fruits! Kids and adults love this versatile fruit kombucha recipe.
Increase the flavor and carbonation of raw kombucha with this easy-to-follow recipe. This general guideline shows you how to choose your favorite flavor and master the kombucha fermentation process. The end result depends on the fruit you choose, but it will definitely be fizzy, healthy, and unique.
Table of Contents
Fruit Kombucha
Total Time: 4 days
Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Description
Enjoy a burst of exotic flavor with this fruit-flavored kombucha recipe! Any fruit variant can work, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try different combinations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon kombucha, after the first fermentation
- 1 cup of your fruit of choice
Instructions
- Take the measured kombucha out of its brewing vessel.
- Wash the fruit.
- Prepare your chosen fruit by finely dicing it or turning it into a fruit juice or puree.
- Put the kombucha into equally-measured, airtight bottles.
- Evenly distribute the fruit or puree into each bottle and stir gently.
- Leave the bottles at room temperature in a dark storage room for 4 days.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 6 hours or more.
- Uncap the bottle, watch out for the bubbly fizz, sip, and enjoy your new kombucha flavor!
Notes
You can choose any raw kombucha flavor. Green, oolong, white, and black tea work marvelously. You can also experiment with flavored kombuchas once you’re comfortable with the brewing process.
Unsure what fruits to add during the second fermentation? Some tried-and-true fruits you can add include raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, passionfruit, grapes, cherries, and apples.
If you don’t have fresh fruit, you can do a 2nd fermentation with juice. Try cranberry, mango, or orange juice. Just about any fruit flavor works well with this recipe.
Elevate the flavor and add health benefits by adding an inch of fresh ginger to the recipe.
Some brewers pour the tea through a strainer to remove fruit debris before drinking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Fermenting Time: 96 hours
What Does Fruit Kombucha Taste Like?
The taste of the fruit kombucha depends on your selected fruit. If you’re using strawberries, for instance, it’ll taste light and sweet. The fruit kombucha may have a tarter kick if you’re using blackberries.
If you haven’t strained the kombucha, you can experience the various fruit bit textures floating in the drink. You may even taste some SCOBY strings that swim around the brewed kombucha. Don’t worry; both these particles are perfectly fine to consume.
A multi-fruit kombucha can give rise to a complex set of flavors. Regardless of your fruit choice, you’re guaranteed to taste the tart and sharp undertone of the flavored kombucha in each bottle.
What Are the Health Benefits of Fruit Kombucha?
Kombucha is a nutritious drink that you can guiltlessly sip on every day. Couple that with nutrient-packed fruits, and you’ve got yourself a super elixir in your hands.
Here are some of the health benefits of a standard cup of kombucha:
- Rich source of probiotics
- Lowers the risk of heart disease
- Protects the body against cancer
- Manages blood sugar levels
The extra benefits will depend on the fruit you pick to ferment. Strawberries, for instance, are high in Vitamin C and dietary fibers. Cherries contain antioxidants that protect against bacteria and viruses. If you use apple and ginger, you will enjoy a boost in Vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium levels.
How Much Caffeine Is In Fruit Kombucha?
The caffeine content in kombucha will depend entirely on the tea you use to make it. A good rule of thumb is that the caffeine content of a kombucha variant will have ⅓ of the amount of caffeine from its tea equivalent.
Here’s the caffeine content for 8 ounces of each type of kombucha tea:
- Black tea kombucha: 15.8 mg
- White tea kombucha: 5 mg – 11.6 mg
- Green tea kombucha: 10 mg – 16 mg
- Oolong kombucha: 5 mg – 18 mg
Should You Strain the Fruit Out of the Kombucha?
This is up to you! If you like your kombucha clean and free from debris, it would be best to strain out the fruit bits before serving.
Feel free to drink it as-is if you aren’t that particular about the texture. By consuming these solid fruit chunks, you can even boost the amount of nutrients you’re getting.
How Long Can You Store Fruit Kombucha?
Refrigerated fruit kombucha can last for up to six to eight months. The natural acidity of the kombucha helps keep it free from harmful bacteria growth. You’ll need to keep the liquid in an airtight container to preserve it for as long as possible.
Should You Make Fruit Kombucha with Young, Sweet Kombucha or Older, Sour Kombucha?
I prefer brewing fruit kombucha with young kombucha. Kombucha is naturally tart, and this flavor is further amplified when the drink ferments for too long.
Older kombucha can acquire a vinegary-like taste that some drinkers find unpalatable. If your current batch of kombucha is starting to sour, repurpose it as a starter tea and use it to brew your next batch of fizzy, homemade kombucha.