Kombucha, that fizzy fermented tea drink with a serious cult following, swept the globe. But what is behind the magic in this bubbly beverage? Of course, it all starts with the tea! Choosing the proper tea for your kombucha brew is like selecting the foundation upon which a magnificent building stands. Good-quality tea is the perfect platform for a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) to thrive on, which will eventually affect the taste, smell, and probable health benefits of the kombucha tea to be brewed.

This guide will walk you through the exciting world of tea used in kombucha brewing and will arm you with knowledge for the choice to make the best kombucha tea.

The Kombucha Tea Trio: Black, Green, and Oolong Take Center Stage

Though many types of tea can be used to brew kombucha, three main rivals stand supreme: black, green, and oolong. All of them have different characteristics, giving the final product unique features. Let's explore their strengths:

Black Tea

The Strong Champion Black tea is mostly considered to be the best kombucha tea  because it has a strong flavor profile that resists fermentation. More substantial amounts of caffeine and theaflavins—antioxidant compounds—can make black tea kombucha slightly more robust and more bitter than green kombucha tea. Varieties like English Breakfast, Ceylon, or Assam are popular due to their bold character.

Green Tea

The Delicate Darling — Green tea creates a lighter, more delicate base for your kombucha, rendering subtle yet refreshing flavors. Green tea has elevated amounts of epigallocatechin gallate, the most potent antioxidant that probably translates best into the final kombucha. Sencha, Dragon well, or Gunpowder green tea may be some of the better-known types for kombucha tea brewing. At Mountain Tribe, we use organic Green Tea in our Kombucha tea brewing process to ensure that you get the best of flavor and health benefits. 

Oolong Tea

The Balancing Act—Oolong seems to fill in the blanks between black and green, having prowess over both taste profiles and being at times floral yet slightly roasted. In its fermentation, oolong tea does a great balancing act between the boldness of black and the subtlety of green. Some of the famous oolongs for kombucha tea brewing are Da Hong Pao, Tie Guanyin, or Iron Goddess of Mercy.

Beyond the Big Three: Other Teas to Consider

While black, green, and oolong are traditional choices, there are other teas that adventurous brewers could add to create unique twists in their kombucha creations. Here are some exciting possibilities:

White Tea

This is the least processed tea, offering a delicate and slightly sweet flavor profile. While not as common, white tea might also go into kombucha tea brewing. That would mean an extremely light, floral kombucha is doable.

Herbal Tea

Technically, these are not "true tea," as they do not come from Camellia sinensis, implying that it is the herbal infusion of herbs like peppermint or chamomile. For that reason alone, they are often filtered out for kombucha brewing. The herbs may not provide enough food for the SCOBY and include some essential oils that might be harmful to bacteria.

Rooibos Tea

This herbal infusion in growth for its prospective health benefits from South Africa. It doesn't technically count as a tea, per se, but it is condition able for kombucha brewing. However, more sugar may be added to feed the SCOBY since rooibos has less of these natural sugars required than traditional tea options.

Fresh vs Dried  Tea: The Great Debate

When selecting tea, fresh or dried leaves seem to be the debate. Here is the breakdown of pros versus cons for each:

Fresh Tea: The most striking flavor and aroma are found in freshly harvested varieties of tea leaves. Nevertheless, such leaves of good quality are a precious value given only to a few, especially in particular tea varieties like oolong. The other drawback is that fresh leaves undergo partial decomposition quickly and, therefore, require faster processing.

Dried Tea: This dry form of the leaves of tea is easily accessible and convenient for most kombucha tea brewers, with a longer shelf life, but the process of drying lets out a bit of flavor and aroma when compared to using fresh leaves.

Choosing the Right Quality: Organic Matters

The quality of your tea very much influences the final kombucha. Here's why opting for organic tea is a good idea:

• Pesticide-Free: Tea grown organically is cultivated without the use of any dangerous pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, which results in a cleaner and much healthier base for kombucha.
• More dynamic flavors: Organic tea leaves usually possess more dynamic and complex flavor profiles, leading to tastier kombucha.
• Sustainability: Choosing organic supports sustainable farming and minimizes your impact on the environment.

Mountaintribe uses organic green tea to ensure that your Kombucha is free of pesticides, full of flavors and benefits your health. Try our kombucha here.

Beyond the Basics: Other Factors to Consider

While tea type and quality are important, several other factors may influence your kombucha tea brewing experience. Let's dive into those:

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• Flavor Profile Preference: The best type of tea for your kombucha is based on personal preference! Feel free to experiment with types of tea to find flavors that resonate with you. Black tea will give a more substantial background, while green provides a lighter option, and oolong positions itself through the middle. You could even blend teas for really unique flavor profiles.
• Caffeine Content: Black teas generally have more caffeine than green and oolong teas. If you are very caffeine sensitive, use less caffeinated tea or opt for a secondary ferment (F2) to reduce caffeine. 
• Availability and Cost: Consider what will probably be readily available in your area and at what cost. Black tea is generally available and affordable, while some oolong and white teas can run a bit more expensive or hard to find.
• Temperature and Steeping Time: There is an optimal steeping time and temperature for each variety of tea. Following proper steeping guidelines will ensure that you extract from the tea leaves what your SCOBY needs to keep its integrity.

Conclusion: Brewing Bliss Awaits

The world of tea for kombucha brewing only suggests a delightful adventure. Equipped with the knowledge you have obtained, you will be able to choose your perfect tea for your unique kombucha creation.

Remember that brewing is a process of discovery and experimentation, so never be scared to test out different tea combinations until you find the flavors that get your juices going. Pretty soon, with some practice and just the proper brew on your side, you'll be brewing up tasty, healthy kombucha!

If you want to try authentic Kombucha made from organic green tea, low sugar and low calories, try our Kombucha here. 

Happy Brewing!