Does Buchi Kombucha have caffeine?
Have you ever been enjoying the effervescent boost of kombucha in the morning and wondered, “How much caffeine is in here anyway?” Well we’re here to fill you in!
First off, what is caffeine?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in cocoa plants, coffee beans, & tea leaves. Used to stimulate the brain and elevate the mood, it is no wonder that around 80% of adults in North America regularly consume it daily, making it the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world! As a stimulant, it speeds up the nervous system which can provide the benefit of enhancing performance and mental alertness, but can also reduce fine motor coordination, like hand steadiness. If you’ve ever had one-too-many cups of coffee, you may have experienced the headache or jitteriness often associated with high levels of caffeine.
Not all caffeine is created equal.
Have you ever noticed that your body responds to the caffeine in coffee and tea differently? This is likely due to the fact that tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid and natural relaxant that is known to reduce anxiety. Studies show that L-theanine combats caffeine’s stimulatory effects by promoting alpha brain waves, which calm the mind. This magic combination of caffeine and L-theanine has been shown to improve cognitive performance and mood! We’ll never turn down an opportunity for an extra dose of dopamine and serotonin - Thanks, tea!
So, how much caffeine is in kombucha?
The short answer? It depends.
Remember when we talked about the 3 magic ingredients of kombucha being tea, sugar & SCOBY? Well, the tea that is used when brewing kombucha is typically either green, black, or a blend of the two. The ratio of the tea blend, the period of time the tea leaves steep, and how long the kombucha ferments are all factors that play a role in how much caffeine remains in the end product.
While the caffeine content will increase with longer steep times, it will decrease the longer it is fermented. It’s all about balance, baby! The more time the tea is left hanging out in hot water, the more caffeine is allowed to seep into the blend. Alternatively, the fermentation process allows yeast and bacteria to consume much, if not most, of the caffeine.
How much caffeine is in Buchi kombucha?
The organic teas we use in our kombucha do have caffeine, but almost all of it is consumed during fermentation. A bottle of Buchi kombucha has about the same amount of caffeine as a white tea or decaffeinated coffee. While most people deem this a negligible amount, if you have a caffeine sensitivity you might want to start slow with kombucha and see how your body responds.
Sensitive to caffeine? Try our Kefir Soda!
All Buchi Kefir Sodas are naturally caffeine-free! Kefir Soda is our non-dairy fermented probiotic drink brewed with heritage tibicos cultures - AKA water Kefir cultures. The process to make Kefir Soda is similar to that of Kombucha, except instead of fermenting tea, we’re fermenting water Kefir grains! You start with Tibicos culture (Kefir grains), water, and sugar. The culture forms a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), and through the fermentation process creates a delicious, fizzy, probiotic drink. We add flavors made from whole foods and medicinal herbs for taste and nutritive value. Your body gets those same bubbly benefits, without the boost of caffeine!
Love caffeine? Stay tuned for an exciting announcement coming soon….
