Kombucha FAQ

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage made with a culture of yeast and probiotic bacteria (lactic and acetic acid bacteria). When unpasteurized and unfiltered, it contains active cultures, organic acids, and antioxidants that can support gut health and the immune system.

You can learn more about the benefits of Kombucha here: Kombucha Effects

For beginners, we recommend starting with one bottle (330 ml) of FIRST8 Kombucha per day to allow your body to acclimate to the microbiotic cultures. After that, you can increase the amount to two bottles daily , depending on your tolerance. Some kombucha lovers drink up to one liter daily , but this varies from person to person and depends on your personal well-being. When making homemade kombucha , you should halve the amounts.

A glass of kombucha is always a delicious alternative to alcoholic beverages or an exciting change from water.

If you want to do something good for your body, nutrition experts recommend:

• In the morning on an empty stomach → Supports digestion and stimulates the metabolism.
• During or after meals → Promotes healthy intestinal flora and aids digestion.
• For an afternoon energy boost → Kombucha contains natural caffeine and can be a healthier alternative to coffee.
• After exercise → The electrolytes and enzymes contained can support regeneration.

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Yes! Our kombucha is a living product and should be kept refrigerated at 2–7°C . If stored unrefrigerated, it will continue to ferment and may become more fizzy or sour in taste.

Every authentic kombucha produces a small amount of alcohol through fermentation. FIRST8 Kombucha contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume and is therefore officially considered alcohol-free. Learn more about "Kombucha and alcohol" here.

Because our kombucha is fermented with tea, it contains a small amount of caffeine. However, the caffeine content is significantly lower than that of coffee or black tea.

Because FIRST8 Kombucha is a handcrafted, natural product, carbonation may vary slightly from bottle to bottle. While we deliberately add carbonation to ensure consistent fizz, subtle variations may occur due to the living nature of kombucha and the natural fermentation process. This makes each bottle a little unique—without compromising on its refreshing taste.

The sediment in your kombucha bottle is completely natural and consists of small yeast particles and live cultures. These are formed during fermentation and indicate that your kombucha is still active. Fruity kombucha varieties also produce a settling of fruit juice. You can either gently shake the sediment or leave it in the bottle—it's up to you.

Yes! Because our kombucha is live, a small new kombucha culture (SCOBY) may form inside the bottle. This is a sign of a naturally fermented, unpasteurized product . If you don't want to drink it, you can simply remove it or use it for your own kombucha starter!

We ship every Monday and Wednesday . Orders received by 8:00 a.m. will be processed on the same day (except on holidays). This ensures that your package isn't held unnecessarily long with our shipping provider.

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If your package has been in transit for more than 3 business days and the tracking system does not provide any new information, we recommend the following steps:

1. Check tracking link – Sometimes there are delays caused by the shipping company.
2. Check the neighborhood and drop-off location – Your package may have been left with a neighbor or in a safe place.
3. Contact DPD – If the tracking is stuck or the parcel cannot be found, DPD can provide further details.
4. Contact us – If you continue to have problems, contact us with your order number. We'll be happy to help you resolve the issue!

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Unfortunately, DPD does not offer shipping to Packstations. If you are not at home during the day, we recommend using an alternative delivery address or delivery to a DPD parcel shop. You can also give DPD permission to leave the parcel directly or have it delivered to a neighbor.

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If your package is damaged or any bottles have leaked, please email us photos of the package and the affected bottles . We'll work with you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

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Yes, kombucha is easy to ferment at home! All you need is a starter culture (SCOBY) , starter liquid , tea , sugar , and a suitable fermentation vessel . With a little patience, you can customize your own kombucha to your taste. Here are our step-by-step instructions.

Here's a basic set of equipment for making kombucha. Shop

• SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) – The live culture that ferments kombucha.
• Starter liquid – Already fermented kombucha to lower the pH.
• Black or green tea – preferably organic and without additives.
• Sugar – The fuel for fermentation (broken down by microorganisms).
• Glass or stainless steel container – At least 1 liter in volume, preferably with a wide neck.
• Breathable cloth & elastic band – To cover the container to prevent contaminants from entering.

The first fermentation takes 5–14 days , depending on the temperature and desired flavor. Afterward, you can bottle the kombucha and perform a second fermentation to create more carbonation.

The second fermentation takes place in closed bottles, often with additional flavoring (e.g., ginger, berries, citrus fruits). This creates more carbonation and gives the kombucha a more intense flavor. It lasts 2–5 days at room temperature.

Black, green, white, or oolong tea are best. Herbal or fruit teas should not be used as the sole base, as they do not contain enough nutrients for the SCOBY.

The kombucha is ready when it no longer tastes too sweet, but also not too sour . After about 5 days, you can taste it daily until you're satisfied with the taste.

During fermentation, a new, thin SCOBY will form on the surface. This is completely normal and indicates that the culture is active! This new SCOBY can be used for future batches or given away.

Yes! A healthy SCOBY can be white, beige, or slightly brownish and often has a gelatinous or leathery consistency. It may also appear wavy or have small holes—this is completely normal. However, if mold (dry, fuzzy patches in green, blue, or black) appears, the entire batch must be discarded.

Brown strands or deposits on the SCOBY or at the bottom of the jar are completely normal! They consist of yeasts produced during fermentation. These yeast strands are a natural part of the process and can be easily filtered through a sieve if they bother you.

A slightly sour, fermented smell is normal. However, if your kombucha smells foul or unpleasant , something may have gone wrong. Causes include incorrect ingredients, excessive fermentation time, or impurities.

• Too sweet? → Let it ferment longer so more sugar is broken down.
• Too sour? → Choose a shorter fermentation time or dilute with fresh tea.

After fermentation, the kombucha should be kept refrigerated , as fermentation is greatly slowed down at low temperatures.

Yes! The SCOBY can be stored in a jar with some kombucha (a SCOBY hotel) in the refrigerator or at room temperature. If you're taking a longer break, you should "feed" it with fresh tea every few weeks.