I have to say that I love it when I meet entrepreneurs who are passionate about their business. Daina Trout is no exception. As the creator of
Health-Ade out of the Los Angeles area, Daina's mission is to provide the world with a healthy kombucha. And when I say healthy, I mean healthy. Kombucha is a fermented tea that has long been touted for its health benefits, but in the process of its gaining popularity, a number of manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon and started cutting corners. Daina, who possesses Master's Degrees in Nutritional Biochemistry and Public Health as well as other credentials, utilized existing research to create one of the healthiest kombuchas on the market. So what makes her product stand out?
Well, let's first start with what everyone cares about -- flavor. There are currently seven seasonal flavors listed on her website. I was lucky enough to try five of them. Instead of infusing her kombuchas with juice concentrates, she uses only fresh cold-pressed fruit to ensure maximum nutritional benefits and optimal flavor. Her flavoring is also very subtle so if you like a pure kombucha with just a hint of flavor, you are going to love these.
The Pink Lady Apple was my favorite as you get a perfectly mild kombucha with just a little bit of apple on the finish.
Let's take a step back and talk about kombucha in general. Kombucha is a fermented
tea drink that is naturally rich in friendly probiotics, not to mention
high in antioxidants and nutrients. It has been used in countless cultures to help improve health, in
particular to boost immunity and energy, balance metabolism, and aid in
digestion. Real kombucha is made only one way, with 3 simple ingredients: tea, sugar, and water. Combining these with the kombucha culture, called a “scoby” (symbiotic
colony of bacteria and yeast), in just the right temperature and for
just the right amount of time will make kombucha.The bacteria and yeasts in the culture “eat” the sugar, resulting in a
slightly effervescent and delicious drink that ends up being very low in
sugar and caffeine, and great for your health.
I also enjoyed the Original flavor as I found it incredibly palatable with its mild taste and just a little fizz. Kombucha becomes naturally carbonated over time from the yeast. Health-Ade does not add any artificial carbonation into its kombucha unlike other manufacturers as that can destroy the probiotics. Health-Ade only ferments its tea in glass to naturally produce healthy probiotics. Daina says that she would never ferment in plastic because it can corrode and erode and ultimately damage the kombucha scoby, which is what allows the tea to ferment and product healthy characteristics.
Another thing they are adamant about is storing the kombucha in amber bottles as UV light can damage kombucha and reduce the probiotics.
Health-Ade's kombucha is 100% raw. They do not pasteurize their kombucha as the kombucha itself acts as a preservative. The symbiosis of cultures does not allow bad bacteria to grow. Other brands pasteurize, which can also reduce the probiotic content.
Other flavors I enjoyed were the Cayenne Cleanse, California Grape and Pomegranate.
Best of all, they are all certified organic, certified vegan, gluten-free, raw, and pending certification from the Non-GMO Project. They are currently being sold in select stores in California, Utah, New York, West Virginia, Arizona, and Maryland for $4.99 per bottle, but distribution is quickly expanding so keep your eyes open for a store near you. For a complete list of stores, click
here.
Full Disclosure: Although the products were provided to me for free
to review, that in no way influenced my veracious opinion.
