Taste of Science: Fermented Beverages
By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Over the last decade there has been a health craze brewing over kombucha (kuhm-boo-chuh) and other fermented drinks and food (e.g., yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi). Like coffee and tea, kombucha has origins dating back to over 2,000 years ago. As kombucha spread across the world due to expanding trade routes, so did the number of beneficial health claims. What is kombucha and does this superfood live up to its reputation?