kombucha
noun
kom·bu·cha
ˌkäm-ˈbü-chə 
-shə
-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
Carlos RicoThe 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
Malia WollanThe 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
Marlise RiffelHard kombucha doesn't necessarily mean booze was added; producers intentionally ferment the tea longer to increase the alcohol content.—Dawn MacKeen
Dawn MacKeenExamples of kombucha in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fermented Felon serves craft kombucha in a variety of flavors, such as tart cherry cola, pear, and lavender.
—Jen Crystal, Midwest Living, 22 May 2026
There are Pierre Frey fabrics, black rotary dial phones, and some of the most enticing minibars in town (2014 Napa Valley Mt Brave, Diplomatico rum, You + I kombucha, Charbonnel et Walker truffles).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
Serve with raw kombucha for an easy synbiotic pairing.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Use kombucha or another probiotic beverage to make a mocktail.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 15 May 2026
My absolute personal favorite is cold kombucha in a big glass pint with lots of ice.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Zesty juniper-forward versions soar in a classic Negroni, floral gins impress in a rosy gin-kombucha cocktail, and unctuous savory gin is indelible in a 50/50 martini.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
Try yogurt with live cultures, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, or kombucha.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Hip Pop, which launched a major overhaul of its brand earlier this month, is hoping to sell up to 10 million cans of its gut-friendly, low-sugar sodas and kombuchas this year.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
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Jen Crystal, Midwest Living, 22 May 2026
There are Pierre Frey fabrics, black rotary dial phones, and some of the most enticing minibars in town (2014 Napa Valley Mt Brave, Diplomatico rum, You + I kombucha, Charbonnel et Walker truffles).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
Serve with raw kombucha for an easy synbiotic pairing.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Use kombucha or another probiotic beverage to make a mocktail.
—Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 15 May 2026
My absolute personal favorite is cold kombucha in a big glass pint with lots of ice.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Zesty juniper-forward versions soar in a classic Negroni, floral gins impress in a rosy gin-kombucha cocktail, and unctuous savory gin is indelible in a 50/50 martini.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
Try yogurt with live cultures, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, or kombucha.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Hip Pop, which launched a major overhaul of its brand earlier this month, is hoping to sell up to 10 million cans of its gut-friendly, low-sugar sodas and kombuchas this year.
—David Prosser, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kombucha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kombucha. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
kombucha
noun
kom·bu·cha
ˌkäm-ˈbü-shə
-chə
-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
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