Let Your Tastebuds Be Your Guide

Kombucha is the fastest growing health beverage on the market. Yet, if you have never heard of it, you are not alone. The bubbly fermented tea full of probiotics has existed for thousands of years but has seen a rise in popularity in both bottles and on tap in just the past few years.

The main reason people drink kombucha is for probiotics which provide the gut with good bacteria. Friendly gut bacteria aids in digestion, energy levels, and even boosts immunity. The low sugar and low-calorie organic beverage is a refreshing and healthier alternative to soda.

If you are new to kombucha, some flavors can be an acquired taste. The sweeter flavors like Humm's Coconut Lime are great for newbies or even the pickiest of kids. You can find this flavor on tap at Newbreak Coffee and Cafe.

The most popular flavor of kombucha on the market is GT's Trilogy Kombucha. It's a combination of raspberry, lemon, and ginger. You can find this one at many places including all Urban Plates locations.

For the 21 and up crowd, kombucha cocktails are a great way to drink without ingesting the chemicals that are often present in many cocktail mixers. The bartenders at Le Papagayo in Leucadia create delicious kombucha cocktails or try a kombucha mimosa at Breakfast Club Diner, an 80?s themed restaurant in downtown Oceanside. In LA head to Crossroads Kitchen for a Health-Ade cocktail or mocktail.

If you are looking to try numerous styles and brands of kombucha in one place, visit KEGJOY™ at 2826 La Mirada Dr, Unit B, Vista, 92081, and fill up growlers to go. The warehouse has a private tasting room open M-F from 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

Other great places to try a variety of flavors and brands of kombucha as well as eat delicious food include EVE in Encinitas, GoodOnYa Deli in Encinitas, and Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla.

In Orange County, head to Zama Tea's Booch bar, and try all kinds of fun flavors that rotate weekly.

For a fun experience of filling your own growler, head to Vons Pavilions grocery store in Pacific Beach, Torrey Highlands, Rancho Santa Margarita, or Newport Coast. Each place has 6 taps of GT's available for self-serve (as seen in the photo above).

In LA, try a rotating variety of flavors on tap at Herbie's Natural Foods in Whittier.

Almost every Whole Foods in LA, OC, and San Diego have KEGJOY™ as well. If your store doesn't have it yet, ask for it.

For a unique kombucha, experience head to Plant Power Fast Food in Ocean Beach or Organic Roots in Temecula and get a non-dairy kombucha float! Then get ready to share your new-found healthy addiction with others who have never heard of kombucha before.

For more information on the health benefits of kombucha check out this article.