kombucha

noun

kom·​bu·​cha ˌkäm-ˈbü-chə  -shə 

plural kombuchas

1

: a somewhat effervescent fermented beverage prepared by fermenting black or green tea with sugar

Black or green tea, sugar, bacteria, yeast and often fruit. These are the main ingredients that make kombucha, a fermented drink that is brewed—similarly to craft beer—and served cold with a traditionally sweet and sour taste.

—Carlos Rico

The rise in kombucha's popularity is part of a larger trend in "probiotic" foods containing bacteria, which some studies suggest benefit digestion and boost the immune system.

—Malia Wollan

The first study on the content of kombuchas found large differences in the chemical and microbial profiles of kombuchas, but all for the good.

—Marlise Riffel

Hard kombucha doesn't necessarily mean booze was added; producers intentionally ferment the tea longer to increase the alcohol content.

—Dawn MacKeen

2

: a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts which results from the fermentation process that produces kombucha : scoby

This tea's namesake ingredient, kombucha, is a mixed culture of yeasts and bacteria …

—Self Healing

Examples of kombucha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Try yogurt with live cultures, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, or kombucha. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026

The best options include kefir, kombucha, and prebiotic sodas. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 14 Apr. 2026

That sounds like a lot, but a cup of yogurt at breakfast, a kombucha with lunch and some kimchi at dinner gets you to six without overhauling your entire diet. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

Kismet's kombucha comes in a variety of flavors. —Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026

There will be tastes of over 80 beers from more than 40 breweries along with hard kombucha, cider, spirits, live music, local vendors and food. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Breakfast was my favorite meal with its kombucha, the immunity morning elixir (a kind of spiced turmeric latte without the caffeine), an array of fresh fruits, gluten and dairy-free options and the adorable pots of homemade fruit preserves. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

The community is such a favorite among New Yorkers that many who’ve tired of city life have moved here permanently—which means the town of roughly 6,000 boasts such cosmopolitan offerings as kombucha sorbet at Culture Cream and Frette linens at hotels like The Amelia. —Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026

This dinner with a Houston-flare can be washed down with a choice of three house kombuchas, entirely upcycled using berry, mango and peach trimmings from the dessert menu, alongside any iced tea not used during service. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably misapplication of Japanese konbucha, kobucha "tea made from kelp," from kobu, konbu "kelp" + cha "tea"

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

kombucha

noun

kom·​bu·​cha ˌkäm-ˈbü-shə  -chə 

: a gelatinous mass of symbiotic bacteria (such as Komagataeibacter xylinus) and yeasts (as of the genera Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces) grown to produce a fermented beverage held to confer health benefits

also : the beverage prepared by fermenting kombucha with black tea and sugar