So, unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve probably heard the word “kombucha” being thrown around among the the hippest and trendiest people you know. With fans like Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon, I know that I had to take part in this sacred Kombucha fan club.
So what is Kombucha? And is it ACTUALLY good for you? The fermentation gives the tea a fizzy vinegar-like taste that is enhanced with various sweet flavours like Honeycrisp Apple and Pomegranate.
Now, it wasn’t just the light and refreshing taste that sublimely altered my entire existance- it was also the subtle changes Kombucha brought into my life. As a college student, there isn’t a day where I don’t feel like energy is being sucked right out of me. Nobody actually takes into account how much energy it takes to do what we do: piles of homework, part time jobs, internships, eating healthy, working out, maintaining a social life and more. As someone who cannot drink coffee because of my acid reflux (thanks life), Kombucha came in like a real MVP.
Meet Craft Kombucha Owner Tanya Maynigo-Loucks
Tanya’s been a home brewer for over a decade. She stumbled upon the idea of creating Craft Kombucha because she accidentally brewed 20 gallons of Kombucha. As a proud citizen of Mount Pleasant, she started giving away her 20 gallons around the neighborhood with her dog, Guinness. And so, the idea of Craft Kombucha was born.
With strong ties to the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant and Tanya’s Boxer Guinness, Tanya made sure they were both exhibited on the brewery’s label. She wanted the public to know of the company’s roots and its overall message of togetherness and community.
Craft Kombucha offers an extensive lineup of seasonal flavours like the classics: Ginger (my personal favourite), Elderflower and Grapefruit (Tanya’s personal favourite). Not only do they offer these innovative and refreshing flavours, but Craft Kombucha also offers its very own Kombucha brewing classes at their taproom in Union Market.
I got the chance to sit down with Tanya, we had a great time and she offered some insight to her business. “Going into the food business does not necessarily generate a lot of money from the very start but that’s why there’s a lot of heart in this business- it’s filled with passionate people. What determines your business, are the customers who support it and keep on coming back again and again. There’s always going to be another food “trend” so it was important for me to establish myself in my community and to grow with it.”
Thank you Tanya and thank you for your gift of Kombucha. The busy student in me thanks you, my taste buds thank you and most importantly the wistful young woman in me is inspired. Craft Kombucha highlights exactly what I love about food- the togetherness, the diversity and the community it brings together. This is why I’m obsessed, and it’s why you should be too.