Have you ever had kombucha (pronounced kum – boo – chuh)? Do you know what kombucha is?

Kombucha is a fermented sweetened black tea made from a fermented yeast called SCOBY, or a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. SCOBY is sometimes referred to as “the mother and the mushroom” due to its reproductive rate and mushroom-like shape.

Once kombucha is fermented it contains a host of probiotics and B-vitamins.

Because of this kombucha has been associated with many health benefits.

Here is just a handful of its benefits:

1. improved gut health
2. improved digestion
3. boosts the immune system
4. possible cancer prevention
5. reduced pain & inflammation from conditions like arthritis
6. higher energy levels
7. weight loss
8. aids in detoxification
9. improves skin health
10. decreases abdominal bloating and pain
11. improves bladder function
12. may help improve the functioning of the pancreas
13. may curb soda cravings
14. may reduce belly fat

And although there are many benefits of drinking kombucha, drinking too much can cause stomach upset and/or allergic reactions so just proceed with caution if you are trying kombucha for the first time. You can buy kombucha already made or you can choose to make it at home, however, making it at home requires the proper knowledge and tools.

I personally have tried kombucha and am not too too crazy about the taste.  The various flavors available make it more tolerable, but because the taste is still so strong I cannot see myself drinking it too often. Because of my Crohn’s, which it may help due to the probiotics, I have a sensitive system so sometimes too much of a good thing for me can end up being bad.

With that said I decided to try drinking it smoothie style to see if I noticed a difference and it DEFINITELY was much easier to get down.

So, if you want to drink kombucha because of the benefits, but just can’t seem to stomach the taste too much you may want to try it this way. The way this came out reminded me of a pina colada.

I used the Pineapple Peach flavor from KeVita, but this recipe should work the same with any flavor/brand you choose, so feel free to experiment and let me know how it turns out!

Happy “kombucha”ing!

Pineapple Peach Kombucha Smoothie

This recipe serves 2.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 – 15.2 oz bottle of Pineapple Peach Kombucha (I used KeVita, but you can use any brand/flavor)
• 2 bananas

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour evenly into two mason jars and enjoy!

Do you like or drink kombucha? What’s your favorite flavor?